France Brunet – Physiotherapist | Montréal, QC

France Brunet is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at the Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM in Montréal, QC. With a focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, France is committed to supporting individuals in their journey toward improved health, mobility, and well-being. Her approach emphasizes personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs, ensuring that every person receives compassionate and effective physiotherapy services in a welcoming environment.

France's expertise spans a broad spectrum of physiotherapy, addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. Whether managing acute injuries like sprains and strains, providing arthritis care, or guiding post-operative rehabilitation, France helps her patients recover function, reduce pain, and restore independence. She also plays a vital role in assisting individuals recovering from neurological events such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease, helping them regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

Serving patients of all ages—from infants and young children to adults and seniors—France is passionate about fostering a supportive community environment. Her ongoing commitment to professional development ensures that she stays current with evidence-based practices, integrating the latest techniques and innovations into her care. Fluent in English and French, France values clear communication and empowering her patients through education and active involvement in their recovery process.

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

Vestibular Balance

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): A common cause of chronic dizziness that can be helped with specific physiotherapy strategies aimed at desensitizing the brain to provocative stimuli and normalizing reliance on sensory inputs.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Individualized exercise programs including gaze stabilization exercises (e.g., VORx1, VORx2), habituation exercises (for motion sensitivity), and balance retraining to improve function when the vestibular system is impaired.
• 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.
• 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.

Common Msk

• Muscle Strains and Tears: A 'pulled' muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or sudden changes in direction, causing immediate pain and difficulty using the muscle.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Neck problems that interfere with your sleep quality, ability to work comfortably (especially at a desk), or perform everyday tasks without pain.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Discomfort experienced in the hip region, groin, outer hip, or buttock, potentially stemming from joint inflammation (bursitis), muscle strains, tendinopathy, or conservative management of labral tears.

Peripheral Nerve

• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Alleviating symptoms and improving function for individuals with entrapped nerves through conservative physiotherapy management, helping to avoid more invasive interventions.
• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Management of symptoms such as pain (neuropathic pain), numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, typically in the hands or feet, resulting from damage to peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. France 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.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Education and instruction on effective and safe stretching techniques to help you maintain or improve your body's flexibility and joint mobility.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Developing muscular strength and endurance to aid in injury recovery, support affected joints, improve biomechanics, and enhance athletic performance or demanding physical tasks.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Graded exercise programs designed to improve your overall physical fitness, endurance, strength, and functional capacity, especially beneficial after illness, surgery, or periods of prolonged inactivity.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Customized exercise plans designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, improve physical performance, and achieve your functional goals safely and effectively.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by France. 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 Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. France frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• If managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease is preventing you from fully enjoying safely meeting the lifting requirements at your workplace, France offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining resuming gardening, hobbies, or household tasks without strain or discomfort, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from widespread muscle pain and fatigue that my doctor thinks might be fibromyalgia and achieved sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort under the skilled care of France. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as feeling energetic enough to engage in social activities in the evenings with a new lease on life.
• Many individuals seek help from France, their physiotherapist, when breathing difficulties and shortness of breath with COPD or asthma, especially during activity starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve restored joint function, leading to smoother and more coordinated movements, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like maintaining your balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.

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

France practices at the Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM, located in the heart of Montréal in a modern private clinic facility situated in the central Montréal neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently positioned close to local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive healthcare in one location. Easily reachable via multiple public transit routes, the clinic ensures that transportation is straightforward for most patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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).

How can I book an appointment at Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (514) 343-6256 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at [insert website URL]. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

Does Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, our clinic offers direct billing for most major private insurance companies such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, etc. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment. We will handle the billing process directly with your insurer whenever possible. If your insurer requires prior approval or if you have specific coverage questions, please confirm with your insurance provider beforehand.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiothérapeute can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

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, known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider beforehand to understand their specific requirements.

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM treat?

Our Physiothérapeutes treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes issues like back and neck pain (such as Herniated Disc / Sciatica Symptoms), joint problems (arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, nerve entrapments, and neurological conditions such as stroke or Parkinson's disease. Treatments often involve therapies like Therapeutic Ultrasound Application, Stretching & Flexibility Programs, manual therapy, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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 typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received directly in a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is important to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan, as coverage varies. Most outpatient physiotherapy in private clinics is not publicly funded.

Clinique de médecine du sport de l'UdeM
2100, Boul. Édouard-Montpetit, local 205
Montréal, QC H3T 1J4

Phone: (514) 343-6256

France Brunet 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.