Émile Poirier-Leblanc is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent in Mont-Joli, QC, Émile is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. His role involves addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, providing tailored treatment plans that focus on restoring function, reducing pain, and improving overall quality of life. Émile’s approach emphasizes personalized care, combining evidence-based practices with compassionate support to help patients recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and regain mobility.
Émile's physiotherapy practice encompasses treating many conditions, from acute injuries such as sprains and strains to chronic issues like arthritis and post-surgical rehabilitation. He also assists individuals recovering from neurological events, including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease. Serving older children (5+), adolescents, adults, and seniors, Émile strives to enhance each patient’s independence and well-being through targeted interventions and ongoing education.
With a solid educational background and clinical experience, Émile completed his degree in Physiotherapy and remains committed to professional development through continuous learning and evidence-based practice. He has developed particular expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Neurological Physiotherapy. His philosophy centers on a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Émile is fluent in French, ensuring clear communication and personalized care for his diverse patient community.
Émile Poirier-Leblanc provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
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): 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.
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.
- 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).
- Postural Back/Neck Pain: Discomfort, aching, stiffness, or muscle fatigue in the back or neck arising from sustained or awkward postures during daily activities, prolonged work (e.g., desk work, computer use), or sleep.
- Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Symptoms resulting from a whiplash injury, which can vary in severity (WAD Grades I-III) and duration, requiring a comprehensive physiotherapy approach for recovery.
Vestibular Balance
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Effective, non-invasive treatment for positional dizziness and vertigo using specific head and body movements performed by a trained Vestibular Physiotherapist.
- Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Helping your brain adapt to a weakened inner ear balance sense, reducing chronic dizziness, improving visual focus during movement, and enhancing your overall balance and stability.
This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Émile can assess your needs.
- Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): Bringing expert physiotherapy services to you when clinic visits are challenging, ensuring continuity of care and personalized attention in your familiar surroundings.
- Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Receiving personalized physiotherapy care online through secure and interactive video sessions with your qualified Physiotherapist, including real-time exercise correction and tailored advice.
- Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Utilizing targeted electrical currents to help alleviate pain, manage discomfort, and support healing in conjunction with other physiotherapy interventions.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Émile. 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-St-Laurent, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Émile frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Discover how physiotherapy with Émile can help you move beyond pain or weakness that’s stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies. The focus is on increased flexibility throughout their body, particularly in their back and major joints, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as comfortably cooking and meal prepping for your family.
- Don’t let recovering from a concussion and dealing with lingering symptoms like dizziness or headaches dictate what you can and cannot do. Émile offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at improved balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors, helping you reclaim participating fully in your martial arts practice, including sparring and enjoy a more functional life.
- Rediscover your ability to playing fetch with your dog in the park for an extended time without the constant burden of pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints). Émile focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to a return to intimacy without the fear of pain or discomfort, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Émile, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.
Émile practices at the 'CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent' in a centrally located clinic in the Mont-Joli neighborhood of Mont-Joli. This Clinique externe de centre hospitalier facility is conveniently situated near various local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access care. The clinic is accessible via multiple public transit routes, ensuring patients can reach their appointments with ease. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.
- 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.
- Is physiotherapy covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?
- In Quebec, physiotherapy services in private clinics are generally not covered by RAMQ. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or rely on private insurance. Care received within public hospitals or CLSCs might be covered if specific criteria are met, but private outpatient physiotherapy typically requires private coverage or direct payment. Patients are advised to verify their eligibility directly with RAMQ and to check their private insurance plans for coverage options.
- Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?
- The primary goal of physiotherapy is generally to reduce pain and improve function, not to cause significant or lasting pain. Some assessment techniques or specific treatments (like deep soft tissue work, joint mobilization, or certain exercises) might cause mild, temporary discomfort or soreness, especially if the tissues being treated are sensitive, inflamed, or very stiff. However, Émile will always work within your tolerance levels, communicate clearly about what to expect, and encourage open feedback. If you experience notable or unacceptable pain during treatment, please inform your therapist immediately so adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort.
- What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?
- Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by Émile as part of your overall physiotherapy plan. These techniques are designed to assess and treat your joints, muscles, and nerves to decrease pain and improve your mobility and function. Examples include specific joint mobilizations to improve movement, soft tissue release techniques to address muscle tightness or scar tissue, and sometimes manipulations (adjustments) if indicated and appropriate for your condition and therapist’s qualifications.
- Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?
- To make your first appointment as smooth and productive as possible, please consider bringing your health card, any doctor’s referral letter (if applicable), results or reports of any imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs) related to your current condition, a list of medications, and your extended health benefits information (insurance card/policy number) for direct billing if available. Wearing comfortable clothes is also recommended.
- Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a Physiothérapeute in QC?
- In Quebec, patients can generally access 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’s advisable to check your insurance policy to confirm any specific requirements before your first visit.
- 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, allowing them to perform assessments, establish diagnoses, and create treatment plans. They are autonomous healthcare professionals authorized to perform a range of therapeutic interventions, including certain restricted activities. A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist) holds a college-level diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments, guiding exercises, and monitoring progress, but they do not diagnose or independently create treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).
CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent
800, Avenue du Sanatorium
Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3L6
Phone: (418) 562-3135
Émile Poirier-Leblanc 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.