Cindy Proulx – Physiotherapist | Rimouski, QC

Cindy Proulx is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at CISSS du Bas Saint-Laurent (CLSC Rimouski) in Rimouski, QC, Cindy is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her approach emphasizes personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each individual, with a focus on optimizing performance and facilitating athletic pursuits.

With a comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, Cindy specializes in addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament issues. This includes everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains to chronic pain management, arthritis care, and post-operative rehabilitation. She also provides specialized physiotherapy services for infants, children, and adolescents to support developmental milestones, address congenital conditions such as torticollis, and promote overall motor function and participation.

Cindy's professional journey is rooted in a solid educational background, having completed her degree in Physiotherapy. Her clinical experience has honed her skills, particularly in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Pediatric Physiotherapy. She is dedicated to ongoing professional development and adheres to evidence-based practices to ensure the best outcomes for her patients. Fluent in French, Cindy actively involves her patients in their recovery, promoting preventative care and long-term wellness to help them achieve their highest performance potential.

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

Common Msk

• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Difficulty with activities like reaching for objects, dressing, personal care, or carrying items due to underlying shoulder issues, which physiotherapy can help diagnose and treat.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Hip problems that interfere with your mobility, sleep, and daily comfort, which can be effectively managed with physiotherapy interventions.

Joint Pain

• 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.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.

Pediatric

• Toe Walking (Idiopathic / Habitual): Persistent walking on the toes or balls of the feet in young children, without a known underlying medical or neurological cause (idiopathic toe walking), often developing as a habit after initially learning to walk.
• Pediatric Sports Injuries & Growing Pains (e.g., Osgood-Schlatter, Sever's Disease): Physiotherapy rehabilitation tailored for the unique needs of children and adolescents involved in sports, focusing on safe recovery, pain management, correcting biomechanics, and facilitating a gradual return to play while minimizing risk of re-injury.
• Developmental Delays (Gross Motor Skills): Physiotherapy support and intervention for infants and children with delayed physical development to help them achieve their motor potential through play-based activities and targeted exercises.

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

• Therapeutic Heat Application: A comforting physiotherapy modality that helps to soothe tight muscles, decrease pain perception, and improve the flexibility of soft tissues.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Utilizing targeted electrical currents to help alleviate pain, manage discomfort, and support healing in conjunction with other physiotherapy interventions.
• 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.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Specialized therapeutic interventions provided by a Neuro Physiotherapist to assist individuals in recovering function, improving mobility, balance, coordination, strength, and independence following a neurological event or diagnosis.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Cindy. 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 CISSS du Bas Saint-Laurent (CLSC Rimouski), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Cindy frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Patients struggling with wrist pain and tingling, possibly from carpal tunnel syndrome, especially at night can find dedicated and compassionate support from Cindy. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving a greater sense of body confidence and trust in their physical abilities, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as working on detailed woodworking projects in your shop without hand pain.
• Many find that one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain significantly impacts their ability to hitting the slopes for a full day of skiing or snowboarding in winter. Cindy helps patients target improved performance in work-related physical demands with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Struggling with the frustration of a noticeable curve in my child's spine or uneven shoulders (scoliosis concerns)? Cindy develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving improved circulation and tissue healing. This is key to helping you get back to doing being able to perform deep cleaning tasks around the house with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.

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

Cindy practices at the CISSS du Bas Saint-Laurent (CLSC Rimouski), situated in a central Rimouski neighborhood. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access care. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring accessible transportation options for everyone. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Absolutely! Home exercises are a vital part of your rehabilitation journey and empower you to take an active role in your recovery process. Your Physiothérapeute will carefully select and teach you exercises specific to your needs. These exercises help to reinforce what's done in the clinic, manage your condition effectively, and ensure you continue progressing towards your goals even when you're not in a session.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, a process known as direct access. 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 plan before your first appointment.

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

It's not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after physiotherapy treatments, especially when starting new exercises or in the initial stages. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. If you experience significant or sharp pain, new neurological symptoms, or soreness that lasts longer than expected, contact Cindy at the clinic or your province's health services directly for guidance and potential reassessment.

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 autonomy to assess patients, diagnose, and develop treatment plans. They can perform advanced procedures if qualified. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma (DEC) and supports physiotherapists by implementing treatment plans, assisting with exercises, and applying modalities under supervision.

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

Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Care in public hospitals or CLSCs may be covered under specific conditions. It is recommended to verify eligibility with RAMQ and review private insurance policies for coverage details.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy helps you move effectively and comfortably, whether recovering from injury, managing chronic pain, or improving mobility. Your Physiothérapeute will develop a personalized treatment plan including exercises and hands-on techniques to help you achieve your functional goals and live actively.

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

Many private insurance plans offer coverage for physiotherapy services. We recommend contacting your insurer before your first visit to understand your plan's specifics, such as maximum benefits, co-payments, and if a referral is needed. If your plan allows, we can often bill your insurer directly, making the process easier. Please bring your insurance details to your appointment for smooth processing.

CISSS du Bas Saint-Laurent (CLSC Rimouski)
165, Rue des Gouverneurs
Rimouski, QC G5L 7R2

Phone: (418) 724-7204

Cindy Proulx 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.