Hélène Gagnon

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

Common Msk

• 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.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Neck problems that interfere with your sleep quality, ability to work comfortably (especially at a desk), or perform everyday tasks without pain.

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

• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• 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.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Hélène. 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 du Bas-Saint-Laurent (Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique de la Mitis), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Hélène frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Rediscover your ability to keeping up with your team during our weekly soccer match without the constant burden of difficulty getting out of a chair or bed due to stiffness or pain. Hélène focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Living with feeling 'off-balance' and worried about falling, especially as I get older doesn't have to be your norm. Hélène applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards feeling more like their 'old self' before their injury or condition began, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of engaging in volunteer work that might have physical demands.
• With Hélène's help, managing swelling in my arm or leg, possibly lymphedema, after surgery or treatment to achieve enjoying less stiffness in the mornings and throughout the day 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 Hélène, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Hélène practices at the CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent (Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique de la Mitis), situated in a clinic in the central Mont-Joli neighborhood of Mont-Joli. This Centre d'hébergement et de soins de longue durée (CHSLD) facility is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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 CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent (Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique de la Mitis) or your Quebec healthcare provider directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Absolutely! Home exercises are a vital part of your rehabilitation journey and empower you to take an active role in your recovery process. Your Physiotherapy Technologist will carefully select and teach you exercises specific to your needs. These exercises help to reinforce what's done in the clinic, manage your condition effectively, and ensure you continue progressing towards your goals even when you're not in a session.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access a Physiotherapy Technologist directly without a physician's referral, a process known as direct access. However, it is important to check with your private insurance provider, as some plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. While a doctor's referral is not legally necessary to see a Physiotherapy Technologist, verifying your insurance requirements before your appointment is recommended.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's response to therapy, and your adherence to home exercises. Your Physiotherapy Technologist will discuss a treatment plan and re-evaluate progress regularly to determine the appropriate number of sessions.

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Care within public hospitals or CLSCs might be covered under specific conditions, but private outpatient physiotherapy usually requires private insurance coverage. It is advisable to verify your eligibility with RAMQ and check your insurance plan for details.

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 and can perform patient assessments, establish diagnoses, and create treatment plans independently. A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist or Phys. T.) has a college diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments, guiding exercises, and monitoring progress without diagnosing or establishing treatment plans independently. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Does CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent (Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique de la Mitis) offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent offers direct billing for most major private insurance providers such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, and others. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to facilitate the process. If direct billing is not available for your plan, we provide detailed receipts that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Always confirm your coverage and any applicable limits directly with your insurance provider to avoid surprises.

CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent (Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique de la Mitis)
800, Avenue du Sanatorium
Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3L6

Phone: (418) 775-7261

Hélène 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.