Francis Zavala – Physiotherapist | Westmount, QC

Francis Zavala is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at Physio Francis Zavala in Westmount, QC, Francis is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. With a compassionate approach, Francis strives to help each patient regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve their overall quality of life through personalized physiotherapy programs tailored to individual needs.

Francis's role encompasses addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. This includes everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains, to chronic pain management, arthritis care, and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. Francis also assists individuals in recovering function, managing symptoms, and enhancing their well-being after neurological events or conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. Serving older children (5+), adolescents, adults, and seniors, Francis ensures that each patient receives attentive, evidence-based care.

With a solid educational background and clinical experience, Francis completed their degree in Physiotherapy and has developed a strong interest in Orthopedic, Musculoskeletal, and Neurological Physiotherapy. Committed to ongoing professional growth, Francis continually updates their skills to incorporate the latest evidence-based practices. Their practice philosophy emphasizes promoting preventative care, long-term wellness, and empowering patients through education and collaborative goal-setting. Francis is fluent in Catalan, English, Spanish, Filipino, and French, fostering effective communication with diverse patient populations.

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

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.
• 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.

Neurological

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptom Management & Rehabilitation: Individualized exercise programs (e.g., strength, aerobic, balance, flexibility), energy conservation techniques, and compensatory strategies tailored by a Neuro Physiotherapist for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis.
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation (Incomplete/Specific Cases): Physiotherapy aimed at maximizing functional independence, mobility (e.g., transfers, wheelchair skills, ambulation if appropriate), strength, range of motion, and managing secondary complications (e.g., pain, spasticity, respiratory issues) for individuals with incomplete or specific types of spinal cord injuries. Often part of a multidisciplinary team approach.
• Stroke (CVA) Rehabilitation: Utilizing evidence-based neuroplasticity principles, motor relearning techniques, and task-specific training to help stroke survivors improve movement and achieve their functional goals.

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).
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for inner ear balance problems, involving customized exercises that promote central nervous system compensation and adaptation to the weakened vestibular input.
• 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.

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

• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Application of various forms of electrical stimulation, such as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for muscle strengthening and re-education, or Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to assist with movement, as prescribed by your Physiotherapist.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or Interferential Current (IFC) for managing acute or chronic pain conditions by modulating pain signals or promoting the release of endorphins.

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 Physio Francis Zavala, 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:

• Many patients have found lasting relief from facial weakness or drooping on one side (like Bell's Palsy) and achieved sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort under the skilled care of Francis. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as challenging myself with indoor or outdoor rock climbing with a new lease on life.
• Tired of dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness after a car accident, like whiplash interfering with dressing myself independently and without difficulty, including shoes and socks? Francis uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve feeling more resilient and less vulnerable to minor strains or injuries and regain your freedom of movement.
• Francis frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of my infant having a tilted head or a flat spot on their head (torticollis/plagiocephaly). A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like maintaining your balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.

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

Francis practices at Physio Francis Zavala, situated in a modern clinic located centrally in the Westmount neighborhood of Westmount. This private enterprise, specializing in health and safety consulting, ergonomics, and physiotherapy, is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies. The clinic is easily accessible via public transit routes within the area, making it simple for patients to attend appointments. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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 Physio Francis Zavala?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (514) 963-0519 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at francisphysio.com. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

Does Physio Francis Zavala offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, Physio Francis Zavala 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 recommend verifying your coverage with your insurer beforehand, as plans vary. If your insurer does not support direct billing, we will provide official receipts for you to submit for reimbursement.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your first visit to understand your specific benefits, including annual maximums, per-visit limits, and whether a doctor's referral is necessary. If your plan supports direct billing and our clinic can bill directly, we will do so, and you will only need to cover any remaining co-payments or deductibles. Otherwise, you will pay at the time of service and submit receipts for reimbursement. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment.

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, 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 beforehand to confirm whether a referral is needed for coverage.

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

Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. However, care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and check your private insurance coverage for physiotherapy services.

Physio Francis Zavala
222, Avenue Melville, # 25
Westmount, QC H3Z 2J5

Phone: (514) 963-0519 | Website: francisphysio.com

Francis Zavala 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.