Isabelle Gervais – Physiotherapist | Gatineau, QC

Isabelle Gervais is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at Physio Outaouais, secteur Gatineau in Gatineau, QC, Isabelle is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. She specializes in addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries and chronic issues affecting muscles, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Her approach encompasses everything from acute sprains and strains to managing long-term conditions such as arthritis, ensuring her patients regain mobility and reduce pain through tailored treatment plans.

In addition to musculoskeletal care, Isabelle offers specialized assessment and treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders caused by inner ear or central vestibular system issues. Her goal is to help patients improve stability, reduce symptoms, and minimize fall risk. She serves a diverse patient population, including older children (5+), adolescents, adults, and seniors, providing comprehensive rehabilitative services designed to enhance their quality of life and functional independence.

Isabelle completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated valuable clinical experience, which she continuously enriches through ongoing professional development. She has developed particular expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation. Her practice philosophy emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and wellness goals. Fluent in French, Isabelle promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Gatineau community through evidence-based physiotherapy interventions.

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

Arthritis

• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Supportive physiotherapy care for joint recovery and function after gout flares, focusing on restoring range of motion, reducing inflammation, and providing advice on joint protection and lifestyle factors.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.
• 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.
• 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.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.
• 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. Isabelle can assess your needs.

• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: A structured and individualized rehabilitation approach to help you navigate your recovery after a concussion, promoting symptom resolution and safe resumption of activities.
• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Helping seniors regain their physical capacity, reduce dependency, and improve their ability to manage at home safely and effectively.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• 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.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Addressing common concerns in seniors such as difficulty walking, fear of falling, joint pain and stiffness, and deconditioning, to improve their overall quality of life and ability to participate in meaningful activities.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Comprehensive assessment of your fall risk factors with individualized interventions, including balance exercises, strength training, gait re-training, and home safety advice to help you prevent falls.

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

• Rediscover your ability to managing the physical demands of your job without constant pain without the constant burden of recovering from a burn and needing help with scar mobility and movement. Isabelle focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to more comfortable and efficient movement when transitioning between positions (e.g., sit to stand), integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Physiotherapy with Isabelle can be a transformative turning point for those affected by hip pain when I walk, climb stairs, or try to sleep on my side. The shared goal is achieving a better ability to cope with the physical stresses of daily life, paving the way for you to enjoy resuming your weightlifting routine at the gym safely and a more active, vibrant life.
• For those whose frequent headaches that seem to start from tension in my neck or shoulders has made cycling longer distances with your cycling club seem like a distant memory, Isabelle's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward developing better body awareness and understanding of healthy movement patterns. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to cycling longer distances with your cycling club with greater comfort and renewed confidence.

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

Isabelle practices at Physio Outaouais, secteur Gatineau, situated in the Gatineau Sector East (Pointe-Gatineau, Le Baron) neighborhood of Gatineau. This private clinic facility is conveniently located near Hôpital de Gatineau and is accessible via Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), including the Rapibus BRT. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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).

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 unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiothérapeute will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

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

In Quebec, patients can generally access a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, a practice known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy beforehand to confirm whether a referral is necessary for coverage.

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

Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC might be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and review your private insurance plans for coverage details.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement is ideal. Consider wearing athletic wear such as shorts for lower-body assessments or loose-fitting tops for upper-body treatments. This facilitates proper examination and effective treatment.

Physio Outaouais, secteur Gatineau
499, Boulevard Labrosse, # 105, Complexe Branchaud-Brière
Gatineau, QC J8P 4R1

Phone: (819) 643-3337

Isabelle Gervais 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.