Gabrielle Pelletier – Physiotherapist | Gatineau, QC

Gabrielle Pelletier is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at CISSS de l'Outaouais (Hôpital de jour Hull) in Gatineau, QC, Gabrielle is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her role involves assessing, diagnosing, and managing a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and balance-related conditions, ensuring each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their needs. Gabrielle’s approach emphasizes compassion, education, and empowering patients to actively participate in their recovery journey, fostering a supportive and community-focused environment.
Gabrielle’s practice encompasses addressing acute injuries such as sprains and strains, as well as managing chronic pain, arthritis, and post-operative rehabilitation. 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 reduce fall risk. Her comprehensive approach ensures that adults and seniors alike benefit from evidence-based interventions designed to restore function, reduce discomfort, and promote overall well-being.
With a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and ongoing professional development, Gabrielle has developed skills and a keen interest in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation. She is passionate about promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Gatineau community through proactive physiotherapy. Gabrielle is fluent in English and French, facilitating clear communication and building trusting relationships with her diverse patient population.

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

Vestibular Balance

• 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.
• 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.

Common Msk

• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Aching, sharp, or persistent pain located in the lower back, which may sometimes extend into the buttocks or legs, limiting your comfort.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Damage to the body's movement system, including issues like joint inflammation, ligament tears, or muscle overstretching, often requiring physiotherapy for optimal recovery.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: Common injuries in active individuals, athletes, or resulting from accidents, leading to localized pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the affected muscle (e.g., hamstring, calf, quadriceps, groin, rotator cuff).

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.
• 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): Neck, shoulder, and upper back discomfort, often accompanied by headaches or 'brain fog', after a sudden jerking motion of the head, such as in a rear-end collision.

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

• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: LLLT or 'cold laser' therapy to stimulate your body's natural healing processes, provide pain relief, and improve function in conditions like tendinopathies, arthritis, or soft tissue injuries.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• 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.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): The therapeutic use of different electrical currents by your Physiotherapist to achieve specific physiological effects, such as improving muscle contraction, reducing atrophy, or enhancing functional movement.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Gabrielle. 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 CISSS de l'Outaouais (Hôpital de jour Hull), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Gabrielle frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• With Gabrielle's help, managing feeling unsteady on my feet or experiencing dizziness and balance problems to achieve feeling more like their 'old self' before their injury or condition began becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like peacefully paddling your kayak or canoe on the lake for hours.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease and achieved getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations under the skilled care of Gabrielle. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as walking your children to school or the park with a new lease on life.
• Living with an awkward gait or limping when I walk doesn't have to be your norm. Gabrielle applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards feeling more energetic and less weighed down by physical discomfort, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of simply being able to get through a workday without constant pain interruptions.

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

Gabrielle practices at the CISSS de l'Outaouais (Hôpital de jour Hull), situated in the heart of the Hull Sector Central (Downtown Hull, Île de Hull) neighborhood of Gatineau. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near Federal Government Buildings (Place du Portage) and is easily accessible via Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), including the Rapibus BRT system. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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 coverage through RAMQ generally does not include services provided in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or rely on private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if it meets specific criteria. It is advisable to verify your eligibility with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plans for coverage options.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While you might feel some discomfort or a stretching sensation as you work to regain movement or strength, especially in the initial stages of treatment for an acute injury or chronic stiffness, it's rarely 'painful' in a distressing or harmful way. Your Physiothérapeute will guide you through each step, modify treatments to suit your comfort and tolerance, and ensure that the overall experience is positive. The ultimate aim is to make you feel better, not worse.

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

Patients in Quebec can typically access 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 physician's referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check with your insurance provider before your first appointment.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

If you experience a significant increase in pain, new neurological symptoms, or if soreness persists longer than expected, please contact Gabrielle or your healthcare provider promptly. It is important to ensure your safety and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.

CISSS de l'Outaouais (Hôpital de jour Hull)
273, Rue Laurier
Gatineau, QC J8X 3W8

Phone: (819) 966-6420

Gabrielle Pelletier 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.