Edith Gagnon – Physiotherapist | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC

Edith Gagnon is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre (CLSC Vallée-des-Forts) in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC. With a focus on performance and athletic-oriented care, Edith is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered physiotherapy that supports active individuals in reaching their peak potential. Her approach emphasizes a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plans designed to optimize movement, enhance strength, and prevent injury, ensuring clients return to their sport or activity with confidence and resilience.

Specializing in addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, Edith assists adults and seniors in recovering function, improving mobility, and managing symptoms related to sports injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, and chronic pain. Whether working with athletes recovering from sprains or strains, or helping individuals regain independence after neurological events such as stroke or spinal cord injury, Edith’s goal is to facilitate rapid, sustainable improvements that empower her clients to excel in their physical pursuits.

With a solid foundation in physiotherapy education and ongoing professional development, Edith has developed particular expertise in orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and neurological physiotherapy. Her evidence-based approach ensures that each patient benefits from the latest techniques and best practices, all delivered with a focus on active recovery and long-term wellness. Edith is fluent in French, facilitating clear communication and personalized care for her French-speaking clients.

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

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
• 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.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.

Vestibular Balance

• 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).
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Addressing chronic subjective dizziness and unsteadiness through targeted rehabilitation designed to reduce symptoms and improve functional abilities for individuals with PPPD/3PD.
• 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): Reduced function of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) inner ear balance systems (vestibular organs), leading to persistent dizziness, gaze instability (difficulty keeping vision clear during head movement), imbalance, and sometimes nausea.

Post Surgical

• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: A structured, progressive, and goal-oriented physiotherapy rehabilitation program crucial for restoring knee stability, strength, range of motion, and proprioception (joint position sense) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or other knee ligament (e.g., PCL, MCL, LCL) reconstructive surgery.
• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): A structured physiotherapy plan to help you recover full function, independence, and confidence in your new hip after replacement surgery.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): The crucial rehabilitation phase following total or partial knee replacement surgery, with physiotherapy focusing on restoring range of motion, building strength, improving balance, managing pain and swelling, and enabling functional mobility (e.g., walking, stairs, getting in/out of a car).

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

• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): A systematic screening process, such as FMS™ or SFMA™ (if your Physiotherapist is certified), to understand how you move and guide preventative or corrective exercise programs.
• 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).
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Detailed analysis of your static and dynamic posture, with tailored exercises, stretches, and advice to help you improve alignment and reduce strain on your body.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Teaching you essential strategies and exercises to manage your symptoms independently, accelerate recovery, and prevent future problems.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance Disorders: Effective therapy for various inner ear and balance disorders, including BPPV, vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis, unilateral or bilateral vestibular hypofunction, Meniere's disease (symptom management), and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD).
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Edith. 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 de la Montérégie-Centre (CLSC Vallée-des-Forts), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Edith frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The path to recovery from dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness after a car accident, like whiplash and achieving a safe and confident return to their favorite sport or recreational activity for swimming laps at the pool for fitness and relaxation often starts with expert guidance. Edith, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Edith can help you move beyond recovering my strength and energy after being very sick (like with pneumonia or Long COVID). The focus is on experiencing significant pain relief, allowing for a more comfortable daily life, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as maintaining your balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.
• Many find that sharp pain shooting down my leg, feeling a lot like sciatica significantly impacts their ability to getting back to cycling for leisure or commuting. Edith helps patients target returning to their workout routine with greater confidence and better performance with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.

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

Edith practices at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre (CLSC Vallée-des-Forts), situated in the Saint-Jean Sector South/Central neighborhood of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located along the Richelieu River, offering easy access for residents of the area. It is well-connected via Transport Urbain / Taxibus du Haut-Richelieu, making travel straightforward for those coming from nearby communities. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

You can expect your initial physiotherapy visit to be around an hour long. This extended time allows for a comprehensive assessment of your condition and a collaborative discussion about your treatment goals. Subsequent follow-up sessions are generally between 30 and 45 minutes, though this can be adjusted based on your individual requirements. Your Physiothérapeute will advise on the appropriate appointment length for your specific care.

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 a physiotherapy diagnosis, create and modify treatment plans, and apply a wide range of therapeutic interventions. This includes certain restricted activities if they hold the specific attestations (e.g., spinal manipulations, specific needle-based therapies). A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist or Phys. T.) holds a college-level (CEGEP) diploma in physiotherapy technology. They work under the supervision of, or based on a treatment plan established by, a physiotherapist or a physician. Technologists apply prescribed treatment modalities, guide patients through exercises, monitor progress, and adapt interventions within the established plan, but they do not diagnose or independently create treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

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

It's recommended to wear or bring clothing that allows unrestricted movement and provides easy access for your physiotherapist to examine the body part being assessed or treated. For instance, if you have a knee problem, please wear or bring shorts. For shoulder issues, a sleeveless top or a top with loose armholes is often helpful. The goal is to make the assessment and treatment as effective as possible.

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, known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to verify your insurance policy before your appointment to ensure coverage.

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

Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if it meets specific criteria. Patients are encouraged to check their private insurance plans for coverage details.

CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre (CLSC Vallée-des-Forts)
320, Boulevard du Séminaire N
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 5K9

Phone: (450) 358-2578

Edith Gagnon 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.