Ariane Blanchette – Physiotherapist | Sherbrooke, QC

Ariane Blanchette is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Neurological Rehabilitation Focus). Practicing at CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC) in Sherbrooke, QC, Ariane is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her practice is rooted in a performance-oriented approach, aiming to optimize functional recovery and enhance athletic performance for individuals facing neurological challenges. Ariane’s expertise encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions, helping patients regain strength, mobility, and independence through evidence-based physiotherapy interventions tailored to each individual’s goals.
Ariane’s role extends beyond traditional rehabilitation; she specializes in assisting adults and seniors to push their physical boundaries safely and effectively. She focuses on helping clients recover from neurological events such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease, ensuring they regain as much function as possible. Additionally, Ariane is skilled in addressing musculoskeletal issues, including acute injuries like sprains and strains, chronic pain, arthritis, and post-operative rehabilitation. Her holistic approach emphasizes restoring movement, reducing symptoms, and promoting a proactive attitude toward physical health and athletic pursuits.
With a solid educational background and ongoing professional development, Ariane continually refines her skills in neurological and orthopedic physiotherapy. She holds a degree in Physiotherapy and has developed a particular interest in evidence-based practices that empower her patients. Ariane’s practice philosophy centers on empowering patients through clear education and practical self-management strategies, fostering lasting results. She believes in active patient engagement, working collaboratively to set achievable goals. Ariane is fluent in French, ensuring seamless communication and personalized care for her diverse clientele.

Ariane Blanchette provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Neurological

• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation (Incomplete/Specific Cases): Specialized neurorehabilitation programs designed by a Physiotherapist to improve physical function, optimize movement potential, and enhance quality of life for individuals living with an SCI.
• Muscular Dystrophy / Myopathy - Supportive Physiotherapy Care: Gentle exercises, stretching programs, and strategies to preserve strength and function, and to manage secondary complications associated with muscular dystrophies.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptom Management & Rehabilitation: Helping individuals with MS stay active, manage symptoms effectively, maintain independence for as long as possible, and adapt to changes in their condition.

Vestibular Balance

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Brief, often intense, episodes of dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) triggered by specific changes in head position (e.g., rolling over in bed, looking up, bending down), caused by displaced inner ear crystals (otoconia).
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): A common cause of chronic dizziness that can be helped with specific physiotherapy strategies aimed at desensitizing the brain to provocative stimuli and normalizing reliance on sensory inputs.

Back Neck Pain

• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Symptoms of nerve compression originating from the spine, such as a 'slipped disc' or 'pinched nerve', causing radiating pain, altered sensation, or muscle weakness in a limb.

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Ariane can assess your needs.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: A variety of hands-on methods such as therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release style techniques to reduce muscle tension, break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and enhance tissue flexibility.
• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Baseline concussion testing (if offered by the clinic/practitioner) and evidence-based post-injury management to ensure a safe and effective recovery from mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): Convenient and effective physiotherapy care delivered in your home by a qualified Physiotherapist, focusing on your specific goals and challenges.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): A form of manual therapy that actively involves you in your treatment, utilizing your body's muscular effort to achieve specific therapeutic effects on restricted joints and shortened soft tissues.
• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Receiving personalized physiotherapy care online through secure and interactive video sessions with your qualified Physiotherapist, including real-time exercise correction and tailored advice.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Ariane. For a full list or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

At CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Ariane frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• At Ariane's physiotherapy practice, individuals with frequent headaches that seem to start from tension in my neck or shoulders are guided towards feeling less fatigued during physical activities and throughout the day. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as pushing a stroller or shopping cart without difficulty.
• Don't let wrist pain and tingling, possibly from carpal tunnel syndrome, especially at night dictate what you can and cannot do. Ariane offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at feeling more energetic and less weighed down by physical discomfort, helping you reclaim enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again and enjoy a more functional life.
• Ariane frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like using garden tools effectively and without pain.

Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Ariane, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Ariane's practice is situated within the CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC) facility in the Fleurimont East neighborhood of Sherbrooke. This community-oriented public support center is conveniently located near the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) - Fleurimont. It is easily accessible via the Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS), making it straightforward for patients to reach for their physiotherapy needs. The clinic is wheelchair accessible, with street parking and nearby paid lots providing convenient options for visitors.

What is the difference between a Physiotherapist (Physiothérapeute) and a Physiotherapy Technologist (Technologue en physiothérapie) in Quebec?

In Quebec, a Physiothérapeute (Physiotherapist) holds a university master's degree in physiotherapy. They are autonomous healthcare professionals authorized to perform patient assessments, establish a physiotherapy diagnosis, create and modify treatment plans, and apply a wide range of therapeutic interventions. This includes certain restricted activities if they hold the specific attestations (e.g., spinal manipulations, specific needle-based therapies). A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist or Phys. T.) holds a college-level (CEGEP) diploma in physiotherapy technology. They work under the supervision of, or based on a treatment plan established by, a physiotherapist or a physician. Technologists apply prescribed treatment modalities, guide patients through exercises, monitor progress, and adapt interventions within the established plan, but they do not diagnose or independently create treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Is physiotherapy covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

While coverage varies, generally, physiotherapy in private clinics is typically paid out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Public coverage through RAMQ is limited to specific cases such as certain hospital-based services or meeting specific criteria. Patients are advised to verify their eligibility directly with RAMQ and to consult their private extended health plans for coverage details.

Does CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC) offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC) offers direct billing for most major private insurance providers such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, etc. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to facilitate billing. If direct billing is not available for your insurer, we provide official receipts that you can submit for reimbursement.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiothérapeute in QC?

In Quebec, patients can typically see a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to verify your insurance policy before your appointment.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

Some soreness or discomfort after physiotherapy can be normal. However, if symptoms worsen significantly, new symptoms develop, or pain persists beyond a few days, please contact Ariane. Open communication ensures appropriate adjustments and supports your recovery.

Is there parking available at or near CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC)?

Yes, there is ample free parking available directly in front of and beside the clinic. Look for designated patient spots. Paid parking options are also available in nearby lots or street meters, with signs indicating restrictions. Please check local signage for specific parking regulations.

CIUSSS de L'Estrie-CHUS (CLSC)
1200, Rue King E
Sherbrooke, QC J1G 1E4

Phone: (819) 780-2220

Ariane Blanchette is regulated by the Code des professions and Professional Integration Arrangement for physiotherapists in QC and is a member of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Registration can be verified with the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.