Gabriel Rivard – Physiotherapist | Rimouski, QC

Gabriel Rivard is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at Physiothérapie Mouvement Plus in Rimouski, QC, Gabriel is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). His approach emphasizes optimizing movement, reducing pain, and enhancing athletic performance through tailored physiotherapy interventions. Gabriel’s focus is on empowering individuals to regain strength, improve function, and prevent future injuries, ensuring they can return to their active lifestyles swiftly and safely.

Gabriel's expertise encompasses addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. This includes acute injuries such as sprains and strains, as well as chronic issues like arthritis and post-operative rehabilitation. His specialization in the assessment, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries allows him to provide sport-specific care designed to help athletes of all levels—from recreational to elite—return to their sport with confidence, optimize their performance, and minimize injury risk. His care is tailored to meet the unique needs of older children (5+), adolescents, adults, and seniors, ensuring comprehensive support across all age groups.

With a solid educational foundation and ongoing professional development, Gabriel has developed skills particularly in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Sports Physiotherapy. He believes in a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Gabriel emphasizes clear education and practical self-management strategies to foster lasting results. Fluent in French and English, Gabriel ensures effective communication and personalized care for his diverse patient community.

Gabriel Rivard 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): 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.

Sports Injury

• Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): Inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue (periosteum) around the tibia, which requires rest, activity modification, and specific physiotherapy interventions for recovery.
• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Injuries like a 'twisted ankle', 'knee ligament injury', or 'shoulder separation' (AC joint sprain) sustained during athletic activity or accidental falls.
• Stress Fractures (Activity-Related - Conservative Management/Rehab): Localized bone pain that typically worsens with activity and is relieved by rest, often accompanied by tenderness to touch over the affected bone.
• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Acute pain, swelling, bruising, localized tenderness, and weakness in a muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or throwing.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Addressing the inflammation, pain, and restricted movement associated with stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger or thumb.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Focused physiotherapy care for complex hand and wrist problems, often involving custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization), specific exercises to restore dexterity, strength, and range of motion, scar management, and sensory re-education.

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

• Custom Foot Orthotic Assessment & Prescription (if offered/certified): Providing individualized foot supports created from a precise mold of your feet to improve comfort, alignment, reduce pain, and enhance function during walking, running, or standing.
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation & Management: Specialized and progressive physiotherapy care for athletes of all levels, focusing on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, sport-specific exercise, and safe, timely return-to-sport protocols.
• Gait Analysis & Running/Walking Re-training: Detailed biomechanical assessment of your walking or running patterns, often using video analysis, to identify inefficiencies, asymmetries, or faulty mechanics that may contribute to pain or injury.
• Therapeutic & Athletic Taping (e.g., Kinesio, McConnell, Rigid): Skilled application of specialized therapeutic tapes to support your recovery, facilitate healing, reduce strain on injured structures, and enhance your performance or confidence during movement.
• Orthopedic Bracing & Support Consultation/Fitting: Helping you choose and correctly use the best brace or support for your specific needs, ensuring proper fit and optimal benefit for your condition.
• Sports Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention: Strategies and training programs to fine-tune your physical capabilities, improve sport-specific skills, and ensure you are well-prepared for the demands of your sport.

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

• Gabriel believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If that grinding or crunching feeling in my knee or shoulder is hindering your ability to running your usual 5k route without knee pain, a personalized plan focusing on sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort can make all the difference.
• At Gabriel's physiotherapy practice, individuals with difficulty coordinating my movements, feeling clumsy are guided towards the ability to manage symptoms independently if they occasionally recur. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as feeling energetic enough to engage in social activities in the evenings.
• With Gabriel's help, managing pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard to achieve understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like sleeping soundly through the night without being woken by pain or discomfort.

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

Gabriel practices at Physiothérapie Mouvement Plus, situated in a modern clinic located in the heart of Rimouski’s central neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently accessible within the community, close to local services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to integrate their physiotherapy visits into their daily routines. The facility is well-equipped and designed with patient comfort in mind, offering a welcoming environment for individuals seeking performance-oriented physiotherapy care. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

How can I book an appointment at Physiothérapie Mouvement Plus?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (418) 727-8773 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at https://www.physiomouvementplus.com/. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

While some physiotherapy techniques might feel uncomfortable or cause a temporary increase in soreness (similar to muscle soreness after a new workout), especially when working on stiff joints or tight muscles, it should not be excessively or intolerably painful. Your Physiothérapeute will discuss what sensations you might expect with different treatments and will always aim to adjust the intensity and techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while still achieving therapeutic benefits. Constant communication about your comfort level is very important.

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, physiotherapy services in private clinics are generally not covered by RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is advisable to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan for coverage options.

What are Physiothérapie Mouvement Plus's operating hours?

Our clinic is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and some practitioners offer Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call our office at (418) 727-8773 or check our website at https://www.physiomouvementplus.com/ for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by your Physiothérapeute 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 your therapist's qualifications.

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 insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to verify the specific requirements of your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Physiothérapie Mouvement Plus
92, Rue 2e O, bureau 24
Rimouski, QC G5L 8B3

Phone: (418) 727-8773 | Website: https://www.physiomouvementplus.com/

Gabriel Rivard 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.