Gabrielle Poulin – Physiotherapist | Québec, QC

Gabrielle Poulin is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Pelvic Health Focus). Practicing at CHU de Québec in Québec, QC, Gabrielle is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. With a focus on providing specialized assessment and treatment for conditions related to the pelvic floor and surrounding region, Gabrielle offers expert care for all genders. Her approach addresses issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and pre/post-natal concerns, ensuring a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Gabrielle also dedicates herself to serving the health and mobility of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain strength, balance, and overall function. Her goal is to help seniors manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance their independence and quality of life through evidence-based physiotherapy interventions. She believes in empowering her patients with knowledge and practical strategies to sustain their progress outside the clinic, promoting lasting health benefits.

With a strong educational background and ongoing professional development, Gabrielle has developed a special interest in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Geriatric Physiotherapy/Seniors’ Health. She completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated clinical experience that fuels her commitment to evidence-based practices. Her philosophy centers on empowering patients through education and collaborative goal-setting, working side-by-side to achieve optimal movement and functional results. Gabrielle is fluent in French and English, facilitating effective communication with diverse patient populations.

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

Vestibular Balance

• Benign Paroxysmal Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A common cause of vertigo that is highly treatable with specific physiotherapy maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver or Semont maneuver, designed to reposition the displaced inner ear crystals.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, including habituation exercises, sensory re-weighting, and balance training, often as part of a multidisciplinary approach (which may include medication or CBT), for managing the symptoms of PPPD/3PD.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Physiotherapy aimed at improving your balance, coordination, lower limb strength, reaction time, and confidence to reduce your risk of falling and enhance safe mobility in your home and community.

Pelvic Health

• Prostatitis Symptoms / Chronic Pelvic Pain in Men (Supportive Care): Physiotherapy management of pelvic pain symptoms in men, often diagnosed as chronic non-bacterial prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), frequently as part of a multidisciplinary care approach.
• Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia) / Vaginismus / Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder: Pelvic or genital pain experienced before, during, or after sexual activity (dyspareunia), often related to pelvic floor muscle overactivity (hypertonicity/guarding), trigger points, scar tissue (e.g., from childbirth or surgery), nerve irritation, or conditions like vulvodynia or vestibulodynia. Vaginismus involves involuntary spasm of pelvic floor muscles making penetration difficult or impossible.
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS - Men & Women): Addressing complex pelvic pain conditions such as interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, pudendal neuralgia, or non-bacterial prostatitis symptoms through specialized physiotherapy interventions.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Commonly known as 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, this condition affects various joints, often worsening with age, overuse, or previous injury, and can significantly impact daily function.
• 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.

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

• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: A variety of hands-on methods such as therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release style techniques to reduce muscle tension, break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and enhance tissue flexibility.
• Post-Natal (Postpartum) Rehabilitation: Helping you rebuild strength, stability, and confidence in your body during the postpartum period, addressing concerns like 'mummy tummy' or bladder leakage.
• 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): Convenient and effective physiotherapy care delivered in your home by a qualified Physiotherapist, focusing on your specific goals and challenges.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.
• Pre-Natal (Pregnancy) Physiotherapy: Addressing the unique physical demands of pregnancy with tailored physiotherapy interventions, helping you prevent issues and optimize your well-being.

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 CHU de Québec, 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:

• Physiotherapy with Gabrielle can be a transformative turning point for those affected by that 'arthritic' pain in my hands, hips, or knees. The shared goal is achieving running their usual distance comfortably and with improved form, paving the way for you to enjoy getting on and off the floor with ease and a more active, vibrant life.
• Patients struggling with pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard can find dedicated and compassionate support from Gabrielle. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving enjoying less stiffness in the mornings and throughout the day, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as carrying a backpack or shoulder bag comfortably.
• Rediscover your ability to competing effectively in your curling league games without the constant burden of tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot. Gabrielle focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to improved core stability and control, leading to better posture and reduced strain, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.

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

Gabrielle practices at the CHU de Québec, situated in a modern clinic within the central Québec neighborhood of Québec. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near various community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive care. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring accessible transportation options for all patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Is there parking available at or near CHU de Québec?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside our building. Look for the designated patient spots.

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

It’s not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after certain physiotherapy treatments, especially in the initial stages or if you’re starting new exercises. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience a significant or sharp increase in pain, new or worsening neurological symptoms (like numbness, tingling, or weakness), or if your soreness lasts longer than expected, it’s important to contact Gabrielle or your Québec healthcare provider directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

To make your first appointment as smooth and productive as possible, please consider bringing: your health card, any doctor’s referral letter (if applicable), results or reports of any imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs) related to your current condition, a list of any medications you are currently taking, and your extended health benefits information (insurance card/policy number) for direct billing if available at our clinic. Wearing comfortable clothes is also a good idea.

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).

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

Patients in Québec can typically see a Physiothérapeute (Physiotherapist) directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, while a referral may not be legally required to *consult* a physiotherapist, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It’s advisable to check with your insurance provider before your appointment.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions varies depending on your condition, severity, and personal goals. Gabrielle will discuss a treatment plan during your initial assessment, and progress will be continually monitored. The total sessions needed can range from a few to several, based on individual response and recovery.

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

Generally, physiotherapy services provided in private clinics are not covered by RAMQ in Québec. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Some care in public hospitals or CLSCs may be covered under specific circumstances. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and review your private insurance benefits for coverage details.

CHU de Québec
11, Côte du Palais
Québec, QC G1R 2J6

Phone: (418) 525-4444

Gabrielle Poulin 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.