Audrey Laprise – Physiotherapist | Montréal, QC

Audrey Laprise is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal) in Montréal, QC. She is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Audrey’s approach combines clinical expertise with a warm, community-focused philosophy, ensuring that each patient feels valued and supported throughout their recovery journey.

Audrey’s physiotherapy practice encompasses addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. This includes everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains to managing chronic pain, arthritis, and providing comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. Additionally, she specializes in managing acute and chronic conditions affecting the heart and lungs, such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, post-surgical cardiac or respiratory recovery, and post-COVID symptoms. Her treatments involve breathing exercises, airway clearance techniques, tailored exercise prescriptions, and patient education to optimize health outcomes.

With a background grounded in ongoing professional development, Audrey has developed expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy. She has a compassionate and collaborative approach, working closely with her patients to help them reach their movement and wellness goals. Audrey is fluent in French and English, ensuring clear communication and personalized care for Montréal’s diverse community.

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

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A chronic condition causing joint discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning or after inactivity), and impacting your ability to perform daily activities, walk, or engage in hobbies.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Persistent tendon pain that can interfere with your sports, work, or daily activities, often requiring specific loading programs and advice from a physiotherapist for effective management.

Post Surgical

• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Specialized physiotherapy following knee ligament reconstruction surgery to ensure a successful recovery, minimize complications (like stiffness or muscle atrophy), and facilitate a safe and confident return to activity and sport, preventing re-injury.
• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): Physiotherapy rehabilitation after total or partial hip replacement surgery, aimed at restoring mobility, strength, balance, and improving your gait pattern, allowing you to perform daily activities safely and effectively.
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): A carefully managed and individualized physiotherapy program to help you regain confidence in your spine, improve functional capacity, and prevent future issues after spinal surgery.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): A structured physiotherapy program to manage post-operative pain and swelling, improve knee flexibility and strength, and re-educate your gait pattern after a TKA or PKA.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Managing a variety of acute and chronic conditions of the hand and wrist, aiming to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term disability.

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

• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): The therapeutic use of different electrical currents by your Physiotherapist to achieve specific physiological effects, such as improving muscle contraction, reducing atrophy, or enhancing functional movement.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): The application of cold packs, ice massage, or other cold modalities by your Physiotherapist to reduce swelling, inflammation, muscle spasm, and acute pain, particularly after an injury.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: A non-invasive light therapy used in physiotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, promote faster healing, reduce pain, and modulate inflammation without generating heat.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Audrey. 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 CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Audrey frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Many patients have found lasting relief from pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard and achieved successfully avoiding or delaying the need for more invasive treatments or surgery under the skilled care of Audrey. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as playing a full game of recreational hockey with your friends with a new lease on life.
• Many find that difficulty coordinating my movements, feeling clumsy significantly impacts their ability to dancing the night away at social events and family celebrations. Audrey helps patients target implementing practical strategies to avoid re-injury during work or daily life with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Patients struggling with my child walking on their toes most of the time can find dedicated and compassionate support from Audrey. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as safely meeting the lifting requirements at your workplace.

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

Audrey practices at CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), situated in a central Montréal neighborhood. The clinic is housed within a well-equipped public healthcare facility that is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies. Easily accessible via multiple public transit routes, the clinic offers a welcoming environment for all patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiothérapeute will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

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, a process known as direct access. However, while a referral is not legally required to receive physiotherapy services, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy to confirm their specific requirements before your first appointment.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. We recommend you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If our clinic offers direct billing and your plan permits it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not available, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

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?

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services performed in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC (if meeting their criteria) might be covered, but physiotherapy in private clinics usually is not. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and check your private insurance plans, as many offer substantial coverage for physiotherapy services.

CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal)
1000, Rue Saint-Denis
Montréal, QC H2X 0C1

Phone: (514) 890-8301

Audrey Laprise 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.