Charles Tardif – Physiotherapist | Gatineau, QC

Charles Tardif is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at RESIDENCE RENAISSANCE in Gatineau, QC, Charles is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. His approach emphasizes thorough assessment and tailored treatment strategies to address a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, pain management, and movement dysfunctions. Charles’s goal is to facilitate optimal recovery, improve functional mobility, and enhance the overall quality of life for his patients.

Charles’s role involves providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries, pain conditions, and movement dysfunctions to help patients of all ages restore function, manage pain, and improve their quality of life. He serves adults and seniors, applying evidence-based practices and contemporary physiotherapy techniques to ensure effective and lasting results. His focus is on empowering patients through education and personalized care plans designed to meet their unique goals and needs.

Charles completed his degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated clinical experience that underscores his commitment to ongoing professional development. He continually updates his skills through evidence-based practices and specialized training, ensuring that his treatment methods are current and effective. Fluent in French and English, Charles is dedicated to clear communication and building trusting patient relationships to foster successful health outcomes.

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

Back Neck Pain

• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Symptoms like 'neurogenic claudication' – leg pain, cramping, or heaviness with walking or prolonged standing that typically eases with rest or bending forward (flexion).

Common Msk

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or stiffness in the wrist, hand, or fingers, often resulting from overuse, repetitive tasks, arthritis, or specific conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Painful neck conditions that can make head movements difficult, sometimes leading to headaches or radiating pain into the shoulders.
• Ankle Sprains and Instability: A 'rolled' or twisted ankle with subsequent swelling, tenderness, and difficulty putting your full weight on the foot.
• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Aching, sharp, or persistent pain located in the lower back, which may sometimes extend into the buttocks or legs, limiting your comfort.

Sports Injury

• Stress Fractures (Activity-Related - Conservative Management/Rehab): Tiny cracks or severe bruising within a bone caused by repetitive force, overuse, or cumulative stress, common in weight-bearing bones of the lower leg (tibia, fibula), foot (metatarsals, navicular), or hip in athletes involved in high-impact sports.
• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Tearing of muscle fibers or the muscle-tendon unit due to overstretching, sudden forceful contraction, or eccentric loading during athletic activity or exertion, commonly known as a 'pulled muscle'.

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

• 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.
• 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: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic 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: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.

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

• Rediscover your ability to joining in on pickup basketball games at the local court without the constant burden of trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain. Charles focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to improved overall mobility, making it easier to navigate their home and community, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• When feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing safely meeting the lifting requirements at your workplace, physiotherapy with Charles can help you work towards a return to intimacy without the fear of pain or discomfort. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• Don't let dealing with pelvic pain or bladder/bowel control issues (for both men and women) dictate what you can and cannot do. Charles offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at more comfortable and efficient movement when transitioning between positions (e.g., sit to stand), helping you reclaim carrying a backpack or shoulder bag comfortably and enjoy a more functional life.

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

Charles practices at RESIDENCE RENAISSANCE, situated in the Aylmer Sector West neighborhood of Gatineau. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near Casino du Lac-Leamy and is accessible via Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), including the Rapibus BRT system. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What is RESIDENCE RENAISSANCE's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice (or one business day) for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee equivalent to 50% of the service cost or a set amount like $50 may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments (no-shows) without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

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

Patients in Quebec can typically see a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, a process known as direct access. However, while a doctor's 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 with your insurance provider before your first visit to confirm their specific requirements.

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, granting them the autonomy to assess patients, make diagnoses, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. They can perform advanced procedures if qualified. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma focused on the technical application of physiotherapy treatments. They assist in implementing treatment plans, helping patients with exercises, applying modalities, and reporting progress to the supervising professional.

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 through private insurance. Services received within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan for coverage details.

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

Some temporary soreness after physiotherapy is normal, similar to after exercise. However, if your pain worsens significantly, if you develop new symptoms, or if discomfort persists beyond a couple of days, contact us promptly. Your Physiothérapeute will want to assess your situation and may adjust your treatment plan. Open communication ensures the best possible recovery.

RESIDENCE RENAISSANCE
445, Boulevard Wilfrid-Lavigne
Gatineau, QC J9H 6H9

Phone: (873) 353-4303

Charles Tardif 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.