Francis Gagnon

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

Common Msk

• Muscle Strains and Tears: Damage or tearing of muscle fibers, ranging from a mild overstretch (Grade 1 strain) to a partial or complete rupture (Grade 2 or 3 tear), typically caused by sudden forceful contraction, excessive stretch, or direct trauma.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Aching, burning, sharp pain, or a 'pins and needles' sensation in the wrist, thumb, or hand region, sometimes waking you at night.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Difficulty with activities like reaching for objects, dressing, personal care, or carrying items due to underlying shoulder issues, which physiotherapy can help diagnose and treat.

Back Neck Pain

• 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).
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• 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.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Managing a variety of acute and chronic conditions of the hand and wrist, aiming to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term disability.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.

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

• Orthopedic Bracing & Support Consultation/Fitting: Assessment by your Physiotherapist for and fitting of orthopedic braces or supports (custom or off-the-shelf) to stabilize joints, manage injuries (e.g., ligament tears, osteoarthritis, instability), protect healing tissues, and facilitate safe activity participation.
• Custom Foot Orthotic Assessment & Prescription (if offered/certified): Assessment for and provision of custom orthotics to help manage lower limb conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, Achilles tendinopathy, or leg length discrepancies.
• Therapeutic & Athletic Taping (e.g., Kinesio, McConnell, Rigid): Application of various supportive and therapeutic taping techniques (e.g., elastic Kinesio tape for proprioception and muscle facilitation, McConnell taping for patellar tracking, rigid athletic tape for joint support) to protect joints, support muscles, reduce pain, manage swelling, or improve movement patterns.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Targeted manual methods performed by your Physiotherapist to release tight or overactive muscles, address fascial restrictions, and alleviate pain arising from soft tissue dysfunction.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): A form of manual therapy that actively involves you in your treatment, utilizing your body's muscular effort to achieve specific therapeutic effects on restricted joints and shortened soft tissues.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Skilled hands-on techniques, including gentle joint mobilizations (smooth, rhythmic movements) and, where appropriate and authorized, joint manipulations (quick, precise thrusts) to restore optimal movement, reduce pain, and improve joint function.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Francis. 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 Action Sport Physio (Mont-Saint-Hilaire), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Francis frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Patients often come to Francis feeling defeated by that burning pain between my shoulder blades from too much computer work. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving enjoying cycling or swimming regularly without pain or limitation and resuming performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity with ease becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• It's truly rewarding for Francis to witness patients conquer my infant having a tilted head or a flat spot on their head (torticollis/plagiocephaly) and experience a reduction in nerve-related symptoms like tingling or numbness. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in getting back to your regular, consistent gym workouts again.
• Many find that recovering from a burn and needing help with scar mobility and movement significantly impacts their ability to walking up and down several flights of stairs without issue or breathlessness. Francis helps patients target feeling more resilient and less vulnerable to minor strains or injuries with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.

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

Francis practices at Action Sport Physio in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, situated in a modern clinic located in the heart of the central Mont-Saint-Hilaire neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive healthcare. The facility is accessible via multiple public transit routes, ensuring that patients can reach their appointments with ease. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Your first physiotherapy appointment, which includes a detailed assessment and the development of your initial treatment plan, usually takes about 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled for 30 to 45 minutes. The exact duration of each session will depend on the nature of your treatment and what your Physiothérapeute has planned for that specific visit to best help you progress.

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

In Quebec, most private physiotherapy services are not directly covered by RAMQ. Typically, patients pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Certain publicly funded physiotherapy services may be available in specific circumstances, such as post-hospitalization or through community clinics, but most outpatient private treatments are paid privately. It is recommended to verify your eligibility with RAMQ and consult your private insurance provider for coverage details.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiothérapeute in QC?

In Quebec, patients can generally access physiotherapy services 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 advisable to check your insurance policy before your first appointment to confirm whether a referral is necessary.

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at Action Sport Physio (Mont-Saint-Hilaire) treat?

Our Physiothérapeutes treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Sports Physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, patient education, and modalities tailored to your specific needs.

Action Sport Physio (Mont-Saint-Hilaire)
436, Boulevard Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, # 102
Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC J3H 3N9

Phone: (450) 464-2978 | Website: actionsportphysio.com

Francis 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.