Catherine Vallee

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

Vestibular Balance

• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Comprehensive balance assessment by a Physiotherapist to identify underlying causes of unsteadiness, followed by targeted exercise programs and strategies to help you stay steady on your feet.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Individualized exercise programs including gaze stabilization exercises (e.g., VORx1, VORx2), habituation exercises (for motion sensitivity), and balance retraining to improve function when the vestibular system is impaired.
• 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).

Joint Pain

• 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.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.

Peripheral Nerve

• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Management of symptoms such as pain (neuropathic pain), numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, typically in the hands or feet, resulting from damage to peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Symptoms such as localized or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness caused by mechanical compression or irritation of peripheral nerves at specific anatomical sites (entrapment points).

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

• 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).
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Helping you understand how your posture impacts your musculoskeletal health and providing you with tools for lasting postural improvement and pain relief.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A complete assessment of your musculoskeletal system to pinpoint issues, set clear rehabilitation goals, and get you started on the path to recovery.
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Tailored exercises, hands-on techniques, and functional strategies to manage symptoms (e.g., spasticity, weakness, ataxia) and optimize function in various neurological conditions, promoting participation in daily life.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Empowering you with a clear understanding of your condition, its causes, and practical tools for effective self-management and lasting relief.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Assessing your fundamental movement patterns to identify limitations, asymmetries, and potential risk factors for injury or re-injury.

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

• Many find that feeling generally stiff, achy, and less mobile than I used to be significantly impacts their ability to playing your musical instrument (guitar, piano, violin, etc.) for extended periods. Catherine helps patients target enjoying family vacations and outings with more energy and less pain with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke and achieved greater ease in performing overhead activities or reaching under the skilled care of Catherine. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as getting back to cycling for leisure or commuting with a new lease on life.
• Many individuals seek help from Catherine, their physiotherapist, when my child walking on their toes most of the time starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve increased flexibility throughout their body, particularly in their back and major joints, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching your back.

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

Catherine's practice is situated within CISSSMO-CRDP in the central Saint-Hubert neighborhood of Saint-Hubert. This well-equipped public healthcare facility offers a welcoming environment for active individuals seeking specialized physiotherapy care. Conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies, the clinic is easily accessible via public transit routes serving the area. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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 are expected to pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is advisable to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and check your private insurance plans for coverage details.

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

A Physiothérapeute in Quebec has completed a master's level university education, allowing them to assess patients, make diagnoses, and develop treatment plans independently. They can perform advanced procedures with additional qualifications. A Technologue en physiothérapie has a college diploma (DEC) focused on implementing treatment plans, assisting with exercises, and applying modalities under supervision. Both roles are integral to delivering comprehensive physiotherapy care.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Absolutely. Physiotherapy plays a key role in injury prevention by assessing movement patterns, identifying weaknesses or imbalances, and providing personalized exercise programs. This proactive approach benefits athletes, active individuals, and anyone aiming to maintain musculoskeletal health and avoid future injuries or pain episodes.

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at CISSSMO-CRDP treat?

Our Physiothérapeutes treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes issues such as back and neck pain, joint problems like arthritis, sports injuries, post-surgical recovery, nerve pain, and neurological conditions such as stroke, MS, or Parkinson's disease. They often incorporate manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

It is recommended to wear or bring clothing that allows unrestricted movement and provides easy access for examination and treatment. For example, shorts for knee issues, or sleeveless tops for shoulder concerns. Comfortable clothing helps ensure the most effective assessment and therapy session.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access physiotherapy services directly without a physician's referral, a process known as direct access. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. It is advisable to check your insurance policy prior to your appointment to confirm any specific requirements.

CISSSMO-CRDP
5300, Chemin de Chambly
Saint-Hubert, QC J3Y 3N7

Phone: (450) 692-3171

Catherine Vallee 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.