Francine Girard – Physiotherapist | Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC

Francine Girard is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at Hexa Physio Valleyfield in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC. She is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Francine’s approach combines compassion with expertise, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs. Her focus is on helping individuals recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve their overall mobility and quality of life.

Francine's physiotherapy practice addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including conditions affecting muscles, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. She offers specialized assessment and treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders caused by inner ear or central vestibular system issues, aiming to reduce symptoms, improve stability, and minimize fall risk. Francine serves patients of all ages, from infants and young children to adults and seniors, ensuring comprehensive care for the entire community.

With a solid educational background and extensive clinical experience, Francine completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has developed a particular interest in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, as well as Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation. She is dedicated to ongoing professional development, staying current with evidence-based practices to provide the best possible care. Francine’s practice philosophy emphasizes a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous learning, ensuring her patients benefit from the latest therapeutic techniques. She is fluent in French, allowing her to communicate effectively and compassionately with her diverse patient base.

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

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A chronic condition causing joint discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning or after inactivity), and impacting your ability to perform daily activities, walk, or engage in hobbies.
• 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).

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.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.

Arthritis

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Helping to manage the musculoskeletal aspects of psoriatic disease, working in conjunction with medical management to optimize your physical function and comfort.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Physiotherapy to address residual joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and functional loss after an acute gout attack has subsided, or to help manage musculoskeletal impairments and tophi-related issues associated with chronic gout, always in conjunction with appropriate medical management for urate control.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A physiotherapy approach to address the unique challenges of AS, aiming to keep you as mobile and active as possible and support your spinal health and overall well-being.

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

• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Application of skilled soft tissue techniques to manage pain, stiffness, and improve function in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Using controlled isometric and isotonic muscle contractions, as directed by your Physiotherapist, to address joint restrictions and muscle imbalances effectively.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: An in-depth examination to fully understand your specific condition, allowing your Physiotherapist to create an effective and personalized rehabilitation plan.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Helping you stay steady on your feet and maintain your independence through targeted balance and coordination exercises, and practical fall prevention education.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Application of precise, passive movements to joints to decrease stiffness, relieve pain, and facilitate easier, more comfortable movement.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.

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

• If feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort is preventing you from fully enjoying managing the physical demands of your job without constant pain, Francine offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Are you finding that general muscle strains and pulls from overdoing it at the gym or in the garden stops you from enjoying competing effectively in your curling league games? Francine is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve getting their strength back after surgery or a period of inactivity through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Rediscover your ability to operate machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work without the constant burden of needing help to get moving again after a long period of illness or inactivity. Francine focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to increased endurance for walking, allowing for longer and more enjoyable outings, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.

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

Francine practices at Hexa Physio Valleyfield, situated in a modern clinic located in the heart of the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently positioned within the central part of the town, making it easy to access for residents and visitors alike. The facility is close to various community services and pharmacies, ensuring that your healthcare needs are well integrated. It is accessible via local public transit routes, allowing for convenient travel from different parts of the community. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiothérapeute to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

How can I book an appointment at Hexa Physio Valleyfield?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (450) 370-4664 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at www.hexapysiovallyfield.com. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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).

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services performed in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC (if meeting their criteria) might be covered, but private clinic physiotherapy is usually not. It is advisable to check with RAMQ and your private insurance providers for specific coverage details.

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.

What is Hexa Physio Valleyfield's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice (or one business day) for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee equivalent to 50% of the service cost may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments (no-shows) without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

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, 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 details before your first appointment to ensure coverage.

Hexa Physio Valleyfield
616, Chemin Larocque
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC J6T 4C1

Phone: (450) 370-4664

Francine Girard 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.