This course is for students who wish to study at their own accelerated pace.  You can progress through each chapter without waiting for a new chapter to be released weekly.  

If you encounter female patients in your practice with Pelvic Complaints but feel ill equipped to help them,  this course is for you!

Part  I of this series on Treating Women's Health Dysfunctions teaches you about the Mechanics of the Female Pelvis and the many factors that influence healthy pelvic funtioning in a woman.  Specifically, you will learn how dysfunction within the mechanics of the female pelvic viscera and its associated reflex centers can lead to common female pelvic complaints such as Urinary Incontinence and Uterine Dysfunction.  Assessment techniques are taught and a complete Treatment Protocol is provided.

Techniques taught all correspond to Osteopathic Principles of Visceral Osteopathy and Spinal Reflex Centers.  As a result, all techniques are external and Osteopathic in nature.  


How this course works:

This is a ten chapter course with the first six chapters being theory,  followed by  four chapters of practical learning of complete Assessment & Treatment Protocols, finishing with Homework Assignments and a multiple choice quiz.  

At the end of the course you can download  the desktop version of the accompanying 60 page Workbook for future reference.  

Training Videos:

Contains full training videos for of the complete Assessment and Treatment Protocols as well as individual videos of each technique that you can watch as many times as you need.  Certificate of Completion awarded upon completion of the quiz and successful completion of both homework assignments. 

Access to our Facebook Question & Answer Forum.  Monthly payment plan option.

20 hours PCDs/ CEUs.

Have a question?  Email us at [email protected]

The Workbook:

A desktop read-only version of the course Workbook is available for you to download and keep at the end of the online course.

Here's what some Osteopaths around the world are saying about the need for Women's Health continuing education:


From the UK:

"I have a particular interest having taught therapeutic pilates for over 10 years which exposed me to the prevalence of uro-genital dysfunction and the lack of support and treatment available through conventional pathways, particularly post - natally. Having had my first child two years ago during my training.., contact with other new mothers has highlighted even more the lack of education around post natal recovery and consequently the low expectation of new mothers in terms of regaining full function. I've been amazed at how many young women accept stress in continence as an inevitable part of motherhood. I've also been reading texts around the emotional and spiritual connections of women's pelvic dysfunction and although I don't have the skill yet, hope to explore this further. ... passion for postnatal osteopathy has rubbed off on me!"

From France:

" I’m working in France, UK trained and have my own practice in the middle of fields and am trying to set up a Well Woman’s centre, a concept which doesn’t really exist in France.  
It’s such a huge, undiscussed area which, if I were perfectly honest, I feel quite inadequate to treat effectively apart from a few techniques learnt at college."



A recent grad writes:

" I am very excited to start my professional career and I have always had a passion for visceral osteopathy, which was taught only briefly in our curriculum. Anecdotally I had some fantastic experience treating an older man with serious incontinence issues (he was self catheterising twice daily) and a young  ... woman with two uteruses (uteri??) with a lot of post partum pain. These experiences greatly sparked my interest in visceral practice and I hope to learn as much as possible!"

From New Zealand:

"I am in New Zealand... on maternity leave.  I have always enjoyed visceral treatment (especially receiving it) but this area would specifically interest me as I am currently in my early pregnancy. I feel when I return to work (one day) I will like to specialise in treating mothers."

From Norway:

"I am a male osteopath from Norway. My interest in women’s health is based on my clinical practice where I see women with menstrual pain and other issues almost every week, and how much I can help with fairly little experience. My () also suffers from endometriosis and adenomyosis and I notice that my experience isn’t enough to give her adequate help. I’ve had some visceral training during my education, but I feel I’ve just scratched the surface."


Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Course Schedule

    • URO PROMO VIDEO

    • Welcome from your Instructor!

    • Ensuring you cover all of the course content

    • IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR HOMEWORK AND CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION
  • 2

    Chapter 1. Introduction : Basic Principles of Visceral Osteopathy as they related to the Female Pelvis

    • Introduction to Visceral Treatment of the Female Pelvis

    • Unique Principles that Govern the Pelvic Cavity

    • The Principle of Volume Pressure

    • "Nature abhors a vacuum"

    • The Principle of Organ Mobility

    • The Emotional & Psychological Component of Pelvic Pain
  • 3

    Chapter 2. Understanding the Mechanics of the Female Pelvic Cavity

    • Functional Anatomy of the Female Pelvis

    • How Pelvic Structure affects its Mechanics

    • The Female Pelvic Cavity as "A Box with Four Sides"

    • The TOP SIDE “Pressure from Above” – the Abdominal Viscera or Organs

    • “Pressure from Below” - the Perineum

    • “Pressure from Behind “ - The Coxxys

    • Pressure from the Front – Abdominal Wall of Muscle

    • In Summary ....
  • 4

    3. The Bladder & Urinary Incontinence

    • The Bladder and the Pubic Bone

    • How the Vagina Affects the Urinary Urgency

    • What happens to the Bladder as it fills with urine?

    • What is Ptosis & Prolapse of the Bladder?

    • Collapse of the the Bladder's Supporting Structures

    • Why Pelvic Floor Strengthening is only one Part of the Solution
  • 5

    4. Uterus Displacement

    • Mechanics of the Uterus

    • Factors that Cause the Uterus to Move!

    • How Uterus Displacement Affects Pelvic Function

    • How Uterine Dysfunction Affects the Bladder

    • The "Normal" or "Neutral" Position of the Uterus

    • Excessive "Forward Inclination" of the Uterus

    • "Retroversion" or Backward Inclination of the Uterus

    • Prolapse of the Uterus

    • "Sidebending" of the Uterus

    • Physical Trauma & Immobility of the Uterus
  • 6

    5. Somato-Visceral Reflexes & the Neurology of Treating the UroGenital System

    • The Viscero-Somatic / Somato-Visceral Effect

    • Spinal Nerve Root & Reflex Chart

    • The Lumbo-Sacrum Reflex Centers and the "Need" to Urinate

    • How Reflex Areas affect Urinary Incontinence

    • Reflex Areas of the Thoraco-Lumbar Spine

    • Referred Back Pain, Urge to Urinate & Facilitated Segments

    • The Importance of Reflex Areas in Urogenital Assessment & Treatment

    • Reflex Areas in MyoFascia, Muscles & Referred Pelvic Pain
  • 7

    6. Indications for Visceral Manipulation in Urinary Incontinence & Uterine Prolapse

    • Classic Symptoms of Bladder and Uterine Prolapse

    • Questions to Ask during the Intake Interview

    • Local Pelvic Indications for Visceral Manipulation

    • Global Structural Indications

    • Systemic Indications

    • Risk Factors

    • Hypotonia & the Psychological Connection
  • 8

    7. Assessment Techniques for Bladder & Uterus Dysfunctions

    • How this Chapter is Organized

    • Discussion with your Instructor Prior to Watching Assessment Protocol

    • FULL VIDEO Urogenital Assessment Protocol

    • Step 1. Testing for Adhesions of the Bladder

    • Step 2. Testing for Ptosis of the Bladder

    • Step 3. Testing for Sidebending of the Uterus

    • Step 4. Testing Thoraco-Lumbar Area Standing Position

    • Step 4. Testing Thoraco-Lumbar Area Seated Position

    • Step 5. Testing Compression of Thoraco-Lumbar Junction in Relation to the Sacrum

    • START PRACTICING NOW!
  • 9

    8. Treatment Protocol for Treating Uterus & Bladder Dysfunctions

    • Osteopathic Treatment Schematic of Female Pelvis

    • The Importance of Incorporating Breathing

    • How treatment of the Bladder & Uterus are Inter-Related

    • Discussion with your Instructor Prior to Watching Treatment Protocol

    • Interviewing our Treatment Protocol Patient

    • Full Video Urogenital Treatment Protocol

    • Treating the Pelvic Organs step 1. Release Restrictions of the Bladder

    • Treating the Pelvic Organs step 2. Restore Mobility of the Uterus

    • Treating the Pelvic Organs step 3. Pump the Lymphatics of the Pelvis

    • step 4. Decoapt Thoraco-Lumbar Area in Relation to the Sacrum

    • Treating the Sacrum & Sacro-Illiac Area step 5. Springing Recoil of the Sacrum

    • Treating the Sacrum & Sacro-Illiac Area step 6. Release Sacro-Illiac

    • Treating the Sacrum & Sacro-Illiac Area step 7. Stretch Spoas & Pelvic Fascia

    • Concluding Interview with Urogenital Treatment Patient

    • START PRACTICING THE TREATMENT PROTOCOL NOW!
  • 10

    Chapter 9. Homework #1 Download for Practicing a Urogenital Assessment Protocol

    • Schedule of Homework Assignments & Final Quiz

    • How to submit your homework

    • UroGenital Assessment Protocol Homework DOWNLOAD

  • 11

    Chapter 10. Homework #2 Download for Practicing a Urogenital Treatment Protocol

    • Homework Instructions

    • UroGenital Treatment Protocol Homework DOWNLOAD

    • How to submit your homework assignments
  • 12

    FINAL EXAM / QUIZ

    • Final Exam (multiple choice quiz format)

Enrollment, Awarding of Certificates, and Non-Refund Policy:

Enrollment in all ICEO courses are non- refundable. If unforseeable valid personal or medical reasons are provided (with written proof), a student may apply to enroll in the same course the next time it is offered.  An administration fee of $100 CDN applies to all re-enrollments in addition to any outstanding applicable enrollment fees.  Any student who falls behind in the online course without submitting any or an adequate number of  homework submissions must apply to be enrolled in a future dated course, according to the discretion of our Educational Director and the Instructor for this course, Maureen N. Maher.  Extensions are not granted to students who have forfeited a majority of the course or have not submitted homework assignments.  Extensions to submit homework assignments are granted only for brief delays and will exceed no more than one month past the final due date for all homework assignments.  The awarding of Certificates of Completion depends upon the successful submission of homework assignments according to due dates, and must clearly demonstrate the understanding and ability to apply knowledge gained in this course and is according to the discretion of the Instructor.  Professional ethical conduct is expected of all students who enroll in ICEO courses.  ICEO reserves the right to refuse to enroll a Practitioner who is not sufficiently qualified to complete this graduate level Osteopathy course or is not a fully trained Osteopath or Manual Osteopathic Practitioner.  If you are a Therapist who is not trained in Osteopathy, please contact the Educational Director at [email protected] with copies of your credentials explaining why you wish to enroll in this course.  Conditional exceptions are sometimes granted.

Have a question?  Email us at [email protected]

About the instructor

Educational Director & Instructor

Maureen Hannah Maher

Since Maureen began teaching, she found that not only does she have a natural gift for it (her parents were both teachers, so let hear it for genetics!), she found that she also holds a great desire to give back to the community and a profession that has been so fulfilling to her, and share over twenty years of acquired experience and knowledge.   Maureen brings extensive knowledge in Osteopathy  to her educational seminars.  Throughout her career which began in Montreal in 2003, Maureen has been an accredited member in good standing in several provinces across Canada, including the CPMDQ (Quebec), OsteopathyBC (British Columbia), OFOP (Ontario) and SCMMAC (Quebec). Like many classically trained Manual Osteopaths in Canada, Maureen wrote a thesis as part of her Osteopathy training. Hers was within the field of Cranial Osteopathy, on the Prevalence of Muscle and Myofascial Chain Link Dysfunctions and the Temporal Bone. Maureen was also an Associate Overseas member of the Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) from 2008 to 2011.  After undergoing accreditation evaluation for foreign trained Osteopaths in Perth, Western Australia, Maureen was offered a position in one of Singapore's leading Osteopathic Clinics, giving her the distinction of having been the first Canadian trained Osteopath to be approved to practice  in South East Asia.   Right before the worldwide economic collapse in 2010, Maureen was offered a position in Shanghai China, which required accreditation with the GOSC, UK, which she began, but as prevailing economic conditions worsened, the position was put on hold, and Maureen decided instead to settled in Toronto, Canada, where after reluctantly accepting a poorly paid teaching contract, her students began asking her to design courses in more specialized subjects within Osteopathy, including Women's Health and Pediatrics.  It was not long after that Maureen founded the Center for Continuing Education of Osteopathy & Manual Therapy where she continued to innovate every day! Today, Maureen still teaches continuing education courses in specialized fields of Osteopathic Manual Therapy. Her students say that Maureen's teaching style is animated, engaging, but most importantly, informative.  Her gift lies in communicating complex theories in simple terms and analogies.  Her students come away with a clear grasp of Osteopathic concepts for treatment, and practical knowledge of how to apply them.  In more recent years, Maureen has created online versions of some of her most popular courses, and it is thanks to this new era of online learning that Osteopaths throughout Canada and throughout the world have been able to use Maureen's teachings and treatment protocols to help women, infants, and the general public find relief from the bodily dysfunctions that are so amenable to osteopathic manual treatments. Practitioners who enroll in any of our continuing education courses can contact Maureen at any time by email or pre-arranged phone call with clinical questions.  As a result, many Osteopaths worldwide still consult with her today regarding challenging Osteopathy cases.  

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