Caroline Massicotte – Physiotherapist | Trois-Rivières, QC

Caroline Massicotte is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Pediatric Physiotherapy Focus). Practicing at CIUSSS de la MCQ in Trois-Rivières, QC, Caroline is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her approach emphasizes a performance and athletic-oriented philosophy, ensuring that her young patients not only recover but also optimize their motor skills, strength, and participation in sports and recreational activities.

Caroline specializes in providing tailored physiotherapy services for infants, children, and adolescents to address developmental delays, congenital conditions such as torticollis, orthopedic injuries, and neurological conditions. Her goal is to support her patients in achieving their full movement potential, helping them recover function, improve mobility, manage symptoms, and enhance their quality of life after neurological events or conditions like stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. She works closely with her young patients and their families to foster confidence and resilience in their physical development.

With a comprehensive educational background and hands-on experience, Caroline has developed a keen interest in Pediatric Physiotherapy and Neurological Physiotherapy. She remains committed to ongoing professional development, applying evidence-based practices to deliver effective, innovative treatment strategies. Fluent in both English and French, Caroline adopts a collaborative approach, working with her patients to reach their movement and functional goals while empowering them through education and practical self-management techniques.

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

Vestibular Balance

• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Helping your brain adapt to a weakened inner ear balance sense, reducing chronic dizziness, improving visual focus during movement, and enhancing your overall balance and stability.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A common cause of vertigo that is highly treatable with specific physiotherapy maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver or Semont maneuver, designed to reposition the displaced inner ear crystals.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Physiotherapy aimed at improving your balance, coordination, lower limb strength, reaction time, and confidence to reduce your risk of falling and enhance safe mobility in your home and community.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, including habituation exercises, sensory re-weighting, and balance training, often as part of a multidisciplinary approach (which may include medication or CBT), for managing the symptoms of PPPD/3PD.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Conditions like 'jumper's knee' (patellar tendinopathy), 'swimmer's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendinopathy), or 'tennis elbow' (lateral epicondylitis) caused by tendon issues that limit your ability to perform specific tasks.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.

Neurological

• Parkinson's Disease Management & Movement Therapy: Physiotherapy interventions focusing on large-amplitude movements, rhythmic activities, and strategies to overcome movement difficulties associated with Parkinson's.
• Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy for weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, often affecting one side of the face (e.g., Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, post-surgical facial nerve injury).

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

• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
• Pediatric Physiotherapy (Infants, Children & Adolescents): Specialized physiotherapy assessment and treatment for a wide range of conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents, including developmental delays (e.g., not meeting motor milestones), congenital muscular torticollis, plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), orthopedic conditions (e.g., fractures, growing pains, sports injuries like Osgood-Schlatter or Sever's disease), and some neurological issues.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Specific training programs to enhance your sense of body position, improve your reaction times to unexpected balance disturbances, and build confidence in your ability to move safely in various environments.
• Congenital Muscular Torticollis & Plagiocephaly (Flat Head) Treatment: Early intervention physiotherapy crucial for correcting infant neck posture, promoting symmetrical head and neck movement, and improving head shape, often preventing the need for helmet therapy or more invasive measures.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Caroline. 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 la MCQ, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Caroline frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• For those whose recovering from a painful and limiting work-related injury (WCB/CNESST/WorkSafe claim) has made getting back to your regular, consistent gym workouts seem like a distant memory, Caroline's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward improved core stability and control, leading to better posture and reduced strain. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to getting back to your regular, consistent gym workouts with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Patients struggling with widespread muscle pain and fatigue that my doctor thinks might be fibromyalgia can find dedicated and compassionate support from Caroline. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving a safe and confident return to their favorite sport or recreational activity, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as playing in your competitive volleyball league again.
• With Caroline's help, managing working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery to achieve building the necessary muscle support for their joints, reducing the risk of re-injury becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like cycling longer distances with your cycling club.

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

Caroline practices at the CIUSSS de la MCQ, situated in the Cap-de-la-Madeleine Sector East neighborhood of Trois-Rivières. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near the Amphithéâtre Cogeco, making it easily accessible for local residents. The clinic is well-connected via the Société de transport de Trois-Rivières (STTR), providing accessible transit options for patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, a personalized home exercise program is a crucial and integral component of most physiotherapy treatment plans. Your Physiothérapeute will prescribe specific exercises tailored to your condition, abilities, and goals. These exercises are designed to complement your in-clinic treatment, help you manage your symptoms effectively between sessions, accelerate your recovery, and empower you with tools for long-term self-management. Your active participation in your home program is key for optimal results.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access a Physiothérapeute directly through a process known as direct access, without a physician's referral. However, while a referral is not legally required to see a Physiothérapeute, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check the specific requirements of your insurance provider before your first appointment.

Is there parking available at or near CIUSSS de la MCQ?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside our building. Look for the designated patient spots. Additionally, metered street parking is generally available on nearby streets, and there is a paid public parkade located one block east of our clinic. Always check local signage for any restrictions or time limits.

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or rely on private insurance for coverage. Care received within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if specific criteria are met. It is important to verify your eligibility with RAMQ and review your private insurance plans for coverage options.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques used by a Physiothérapeute to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This includes joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic movements), joint manipulation (high-velocity thrusts when appropriate and within scope), soft tissue mobilization techniques (such as massage and myofascial release), and neural mobilization. The primary aims are to reduce pain, improve joint range of motion, restore function, and promote tissue healing.

What is the difference between a Physiothérapeute and a Technologue en physiothérapie in Quebec?

A Physiothérapeute has completed a master's degree in physiotherapy, enabling autonomous assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma and supports physiotherapists by implementing treatment plans, assisting with exercises, applying modalities, and reporting progress. Both play vital roles in patient care, with the physiotherapist having advanced clinical responsibilities.

CIUSSS de la MCQ
155, Rue Toupin
Trois-Rivières, QC G8T 3Z8

Phone: (819) 370-2289 | Website: Ciusssmcq.ca

Caroline Massicotte 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.