Iryna Irakeza – Physiotherapist | Montréal, QC

Iryna Irakeza is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at Hôpital Catherine-Booth in Montréal, QC. She is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Iryna’s approach focuses on addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and geriatric conditions, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique health needs. Her goal is to facilitate optimal recovery, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life for her patients.

With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices, Iryna specializes in managing acute injuries, chronic pain, arthritis, and post-operative rehabilitation. She places particular importance on working with senior patients, aiming to maintain and improve their mobility, strength, and balance, thereby reducing fall risk and promoting independence. Her compassionate and professional approach ensures that every individual feels supported throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Iryna completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated extensive clinical experience, with a special interest in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Geriatric Physiotherapy. She is dedicated to ongoing professional development, staying current with the latest advancements and techniques in physiotherapy to best serve her patients. Fluent in French and English, Iryna ensures clear communication and education tailored to her diverse patient population.

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

Neurological

• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation (Incomplete/Specific Cases): Helping individuals with spinal cord injuries achieve their highest level of physical potential through targeted exercises, functional training, equipment prescription, and compensatory strategies.
• Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy Rehabilitation: Targeted exercises and techniques provided by a Physiothérapeute to manage symptoms of facial palsy and support optimal recovery of facial muscle control.

Arthritis

• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Helping you regain mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve function in affected joints after a gout episode, as part of your overall gout management plan.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Helping to manage the musculoskeletal aspects of psoriatic disease, working in conjunction with medical management to optimize your physical function and comfort.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: Tailored exercise programs (including range of motion, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic exercises), pain relief modalities, and education on joint protection techniques and energy conservation for individuals with RA or similar conditions.

Vestibular Balance

• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Practical strategies, exercises, and environmental modification advice to improve your balance, prevent falls, and maintain your independence and activity levels.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Helping your brain adapt to a weakened inner ear balance sense, reducing chronic dizziness, improving visual focus during movement, and enhancing your overall balance and stability.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Addressing chronic subjective dizziness and unsteadiness through targeted rehabilitation designed to reduce symptoms and improve functional abilities for individuals with PPPD/3PD.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Resolving the spinning sensations caused by BPPV quickly and effectively through targeted canalith repositioning techniques, often providing immediate relief.

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

• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Specific stretches designed by your therapist to target tight muscle groups relevant to your condition, helping to improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Customized exercise plans designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, improve physical performance, and achieve your functional goals safely and effectively.
• Chronic & Persistent Pain Management Programs: Multifaceted and individualized physiotherapy approaches including pain science education (understanding your pain), graded exercise therapy, pacing strategies, coping mechanisms, manual therapy (where appropriate), and relaxation techniques to help you manage persistent pain and improve your quality of life.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Specialized workouts to enhance your core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for injury prevention, back health, and efficient performance in daily activities and sports.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Helping you stay steady on your feet and maintain your independence through targeted balance and coordination exercises, and practical fall prevention education.
• Fibromyalgia & Widespread Pain Management: Helping you manage fibromyalgia symptoms through targeted exercise, education on pain mechanisms, and self-care strategies to improve daily function and overall quality of life.

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

• Patients often come to Iryna feeling defeated by pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving enhanced pelvic floor function and control (for relevant conditions) and resuming painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Iryna's clinic, common concerns like pain or weakness that's stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of enhanced ability to participate in social and community events. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like enduring your daily commute, whether driving or on public transit, without stiffness.
• For those whose knee pain, especially when going up/down stairs or after a run has made managing the physical demands of your job without constant pain seem like a distant memory, Iryna's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward a reduction in nerve-related symptoms like tingling or numbness. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to managing the physical demands of your job without constant pain with greater comfort and renewed confidence.

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

Iryna practices at Hôpital Catherine-Booth, situated in a modern clinic in the central Montréal neighborhood. This Établissement privé de santé facility is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive health and wellness resources. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring ease of travel for patients coming from various parts of the city. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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 you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If our clinic offers direct billing and your plan permits it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

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, while a referral is not legally required to initiate physiotherapy, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your specific insurance policy before your appointment to confirm whether a referral is necessary for coverage.

What is the difference between a Physiotherapist (Physiothérapeute) and a Physiotherapy Technologist (Technologue en physiothérapie) in Quebec?

A Physiothérapeute in Quebec has completed a master’s level university education, granting them the autonomy to assess patients, make diagnoses, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. They can perform advanced procedures if qualified. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma (DEC) focused on the technical application of physiotherapy treatments, assisting physiotherapists or physicians by implementing treatment plans, helping patients with exercises, applying modalities, and reporting progress back to supervising professionals.

Does Hôpital Catherine-Booth offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, our clinic offers direct billing for most major private insurance providers such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Blue Cross. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to facilitate the process. If your insurer is not listed or if direct billing is not available for your plan, we provide detailed official receipts that you can submit for reimbursement. It is recommended to verify your coverage details, including limitations and deductibles, directly with your insurance provider, as plans vary significantly.

How can I book an appointment at Hôpital Catherine-Booth?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (514) 484-7878 during business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer online booking through our website. Our friendly reception team will assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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 usually pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance for these services. Some physiotherapy may be covered when received through public hospitals or CLSCs under specific eligibility criteria, but private outpatient physiotherapy in clinics like ours is typically not reimbursed by RAMQ. It is advisable to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan for coverage options.

Hôpital Catherine-Booth
4375, Avenue Montclair
Montréal, QC H4B 2J5

Phone: (514) 484-7878

Iryna Irakeza 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.