Inside the Pelvis: What Dissecting a Cadaver Taught Me About Healing

Pelvic health anatomy course

“Yesterday, I had one of the most powerful learning experiences of my professional career.”

Alongside my brilliant colleague and fellow pelvic health physiotherapist, Elrina, I travelled to the University of Bristol to attend the Anatomy of the Female Pelvis course — not your average PowerPoint-and-diagram kind of day. This course took place in a real-life dissection lab, using cadavers to explore the human body from the inside out, quite literally.

As a hands-on, visual learner, I found the experience completely transformative. After years of clinical practice, where I work with people every day to address pelvic pain, postnatal recovery, and movement dysfunction, it was a profound moment to finally connect that knowledge to what’s truly going on beneath the surface. To see — with my own eyes — the layers of fascia, muscle, nerve pathways, and organs was both grounding and inspiring.

Making the Invisible, Visible

One of the standout moments for me was seeing the pathway of the pudendal nerve — a structure I talk about and treat regularly in clinic, particularly in those experiencing vulvodynia or pudendal neuralgia. Understanding exactly how it weaves through the pelvis and can be influenced by tension or trauma gave me an even greater appreciation for the sensitivity of that area, and how subtle positional or internal changes can have a big impact.

Similarly, the connection between scars (such as C-section scars) and fascial restriction became incredibly clear. Watching how fascia wraps around, supports, and connects every layer — from the diaphragm down to the pelvic floor — helped me better understand why issues in one area can ripple through the whole system. It validated so much of the work I do around breathwork, core rehabilitation, and scar mobilisation.

Movement, Muscles, and Layers of Learning

The course was taught by two exceptional facilitators: Susanna, who specialises in functional movement anatomy and works in elite sport, and a gynaecological surgeon, Hannah, whose perspective on surgical procedures added depth and clarity to areas I don’t always get to explore in private practice.

One of the most impactful parts of the day was watching a video of a Caesarean section while Hannah gave live commentary, answered our questions, and offered her unique perspective as a surgeon. She talked us through each of the seven anatomical layers involved — explaining not only what gets cut but why certain tissues are actually torn rather than incised, as this can support better healing (much like how grazes often heal faster than clean cuts).

Did you know, for example, that the fallopian tubes don’t directly attach to the ovaries? Instead, they “catch” the egg — which explains how pregnancy can still occur even if ovulation happens on the same side where the fallopian tube was removed. So while chances of conception may be reduced, they aren’t necessarily reduced by 50%, which brings hope to many.

From Digestive Health to Diaphragm Dynamics

As someone who offers visceral massage in clinic, seeing the digestive tract and spatial relationships between organs gave me new insight. I was surprised to discover that the small intestines sit more superficially than the large intestines — and that the abdominal cavity is remarkably spacious, making room for digestive expansion, a growing uterus, and everything in between.

It also reaffirmed how closely the diaphragm and pelvic floor are connected. Breathwork isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s vital. Watching how the fascia links these systems together — and how tightness or restriction in one can influence the other — gave me new energy for the work I do in core rehab and perinatal recovery.

Bringing It Back to Practice

This course left me brimming with ideas and renewed clarity. It’s one thing to learn from textbooks. It’s another to connect that knowledge to lived experience in clinic. But to physically see the intricacies of the human body — to understand how and why our tissues respond the way they do — is something else entirely.

I came away feeling more confident in my palpation, more curious about fascia and its role in pain and movement, and more motivated than ever to help others reconnect with their bodies — especially after surgery, trauma, or birth.

If you're navigating pelvic pain, postnatal changes, or feel disconnected from your body after a significant life event, you're not alone — and you don’t have to guess at what’s going on. There are ways we can explore it together, with compassion, knowledge, and care.