Diana Zidarova – Physiotherapist | Montréal, QC

Diana Zidarova is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Neurological Rehabilitation Focus). Practicing at Université de Montréal in Montréal, QC, Diana is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her approach emphasizes understanding each individual’s unique needs and empowering them through education and tailored interventions. Diana’s goal is to help her patients regain independence, improve mobility, and enhance their overall quality of life following neurological events or conditions.

With a focus on assisting individuals in recovering function, managing symptoms, and improving daily life, Diana employs a comprehensive, biopsychosocial approach. She works closely with adult patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s Disease. Her practice integrates evidence-based techniques, including graded exercises, pacing strategies, and supportive therapies, to foster resilience and self-efficacy. Diana believes in fostering a warm, welcoming environment where patients feel supported throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Diana Zidarova completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated valuable clinical experience. She is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based practices, with particular expertise in neurological physiotherapy and chronic pain management & rehabilitation. Her dedication to lifelong learning ensures her patients receive the most current and effective treatments. Alongside her clinical skills, Diana’s philosophy centers on a patient-centered approach, actively involving her patients in their care planning and long-term wellness. She is fluent in Bulgarian, English, Spanish, and French, facilitating effective communication with Montréal’s diverse community.

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

Neurological

• Parkinson's Disease Management & Movement Therapy: Helping individuals with Parkinson's Disease maintain mobility, functional independence, and safety, and improve their quality of movement and life.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptom Management & Rehabilitation: Individualized exercise programs (e.g., strength, aerobic, balance, flexibility), energy conservation techniques, and compensatory strategies tailored by a Neuro Physiotherapist for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis.
• Muscular Dystrophy / Myopathy - Supportive Physiotherapy Care: Gentle exercises, stretching programs, and strategies to preserve strength and function, and to manage secondary complications associated with muscular dystrophies.
• Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) - Movement Retraining: Rehabilitation strategies tailored to the unique and often variable presentation of FND, working collaboratively with the patient to achieve their functional goals.

Chronic Pain

• Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory and mood issues (often called 'fibro fog'), and tender points.
• Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (Chronic): Addressing chronic pain syndromes that can unfortunately develop after surgery, focusing on reducing pain, improving movement, and restoring function.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) - Activity Management: A carefully tailored physiotherapy approach for CFS/ME that respects energy limitations, emphasizes pacing, and aims to improve stability in daily function rather than pushing for increased activity levels that could worsen the condition.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).
• 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.

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

• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Providing physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment guidance, education, exercise prescription, and self-management strategies remotely via secure video conferencing technology.
• Chronic & Persistent Pain Management Programs: Personalized physiotherapy programs designed to reduce the impact of chronic pain on your life, helping you to gradually increase activity levels and re-engage in meaningful activities.
• 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).
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Comprehensive physiotherapy programs designed to maximize quality of life and functional abilities for individuals with conditions like stroke (CVA), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, traumatic or acquired brain injury (TBI/ABI), or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).
• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): Convenient and effective physiotherapy care delivered in your home by a qualified Physiotherapist, focusing on your specific goals and challenges.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance Disorders: Customized exercise-based programs (e.g., gaze stabilization, habituation, balance retraining exercises) prescribed by a trained Vestibular Physiotherapist to reduce vestibular symptoms, improve functional balance, decrease fall risk, and enhance confidence in movement.

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

• Discover how physiotherapy with Diana can help you move beyond tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot. The focus is on greater ease in performing overhead activities or reaching, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as participating fully in your martial arts practice, including sparring.
• With Diana's help, managing recurrent dislocations or a feeling of instability in my shoulder or knee to achieve being able to travel more comfortably and with less planning around physical limitations becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain.
• The path to recovery from trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury and achieving improved core stability and control, leading to better posture and reduced strain for challenging myself with indoor or outdoor rock climbing often starts with expert guidance. Diana, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.

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

Diana's practice is situated within a modern clinic at the Université de Montréal, located in the heart of Montréal's central neighborhood. Easily accessible via public transit, the clinic is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it straightforward for patients to attend their appointments. The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfort and ease for all visitors. Additionally, street parking and nearby paid lots provide flexible options for those arriving by car, facilitating a smooth and welcoming experience for everyone seeking care.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiothérapeute will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

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

[In Quebec, physiotherapy coverage through RAMQ is limited. Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or rely on private insurance. Some public coverage may be available if the care is received within a hospital setting or specific programs, but for most outpatient private physiotherapy services, private insurance is recommended. Patients should verify their eligibility with RAMQ and consult their insurance plans for coverage details.]

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This is very individual and depends on many factors. After your comprehensive initial assessment, your Physiothérapeute will be able to give you a better idea of the anticipated number of sessions and the frequency of visits needed to achieve your specific goals. We believe in open communication and will regularly review your progress with you, adjusting the treatment plan as you improve and as needed.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiothérapeute to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

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. It is advisable to contact your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand your coverage specifics. Key considerations include your annual maximum, per-visit limits, co-payments, whether a doctor’s referral is required, and if the clinic can bill directly to your insurer. If direct billing is available and your plan allows it, Diana’s clinic can often bill your insurer directly, leaving you to pay any remaining co-payment at the time of service. Always bring your insurance details to your appointment to facilitate this process.

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, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check your insurance policy in advance to confirm if a referral is needed for coverage.

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 diagnoses, create treatment plans, and implement therapeutic interventions. A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist) holds a college-level diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician. They assist with prescribed treatments, guide exercises, and monitor progress but do not diagnose or independently create treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Université de Montréal
7077, Avenue du Parc
Montréal, QC H3N 1X7

Phone: (514) 823-1779

Diana Zidarova 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.