Jacinthe Ruel – Physiotherapist | Québec, QC

Jacinthe Ruel is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Neurological Rehabilitation Focus). Practicing at CHU de Québec (Hôpital de l'enfant-Jésus) in Québec, QC, Jacinthe is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. She specializes in assisting individuals in recovering function, improving mobility, managing symptoms, and enhancing their quality of life after neurological events or conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. Jacinthe offers comprehensive assessments and tailored treatment plans that focus on restoring independence and promoting optimal recovery for her patients.

Her expertise extends to addressing dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders caused by inner ear or central vestibular system issues. Jacinthe aims to reduce symptoms, improve stability, and decrease fall risk through evidence-based vestibular rehabilitation programs. She primarily serves adults and seniors, ensuring personalized care that respects each patient's unique needs and goals. Her compassionate approach emphasizes education, empowerment, and practical strategies to help patients regain confidence in their daily movements.

With a solid educational background in physiotherapy and extensive clinical experience, Jacinthe is deeply committed to ongoing professional development. She has cultivated a particular interest in Neurological Physiotherapy and Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation, continuously updating her skills to offer the most current and effective interventions. Her practice philosophy centers on a strong commitment to evidence-based practices and ongoing learning, ensuring her patients receive the highest standard of care. Jacinthe is fluent in English and French, facilitating effective communication with diverse patient populations.

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

Vestibular Balance

• 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.
• 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.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Reduced function of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) inner ear balance systems (vestibular organs), leading to persistent dizziness, gaze instability (difficulty keeping vision clear during head movement), imbalance, and sometimes nausea.

Peripheral Nerve

• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Physiotherapy focuses on improving balance, strength, sensation (where possible), reducing fall risk, managing pain, and providing education on foot care (especially for diabetic neuropathy) and adaptive strategies.
• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Alleviating symptoms and improving function for individuals with entrapped nerves through conservative physiotherapy management, helping to avoid more invasive interventions.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Conditions like 'jumper's knee' (patellar tendinopathy), 'swimmer's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendinopathy), or 'tennis elbow' (lateral epicondylitis) caused by tendon issues that limit your ability to perform specific tasks.
• 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.

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

• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Specialized physiotherapy to address persistent concussion symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance problems, visual disturbances, and difficulty concentrating or tolerating activity.
• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Rehabilitation focused on reversing the effects of deconditioning, combating frailty, and restoring autonomy for seniors, enabling them to live more fully.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Specialized physiotherapy programs focused on addressing the unique physical needs of older adults, aiming to improve mobility, strength, balance, flexibility, manage age-related conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia), and reduce the risk of falls.
• 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.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance Disorders: Customized exercise-based programs (e.g., gaze stabilization, habituation, balance retraining exercises) prescribed by a trained Vestibular Physiotherapist to reduce vestibular symptoms, improve functional balance, decrease fall risk, and enhance confidence in movement.
• 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.

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

• Living with widespread muscle pain and fatigue that my doctor thinks might be fibromyalgia doesn't have to be your norm. Jacinthe applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of competing effectively in your curling league games.
• Jacinthe frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets a safe and confident return to their favorite sport or recreational activity and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like comfortably cooking and meal prepping for your family.
• Rediscover your ability to reading a good book for hours without experiencing neck pain or headaches without the constant burden of that nagging tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow) that flares up with activity. Jacinthe focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to improved hand and wrist function for tasks requiring dexterity, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.

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

Jacinthe practices at the CHU de Québec (Hôpital de l'enfant-Jésus), situated in a central Québec neighborhood. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies and is easily accessible via various public transit routes. 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.

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 through private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC (if meeting their criteria) might be covered, but private clinic physiotherapy is usually not. It is advisable to verify your specific eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan for coverage details.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by Jacinthe to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

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 Quebec can typically see a Physiothérapeute (Physiotherapist) directly without a physician's referral, known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to verify your insurance policy before your first appointment to ensure coverage.

What is CHU de Québec (Hôpital de l'enfant-Jésus)'s appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice (or one business day) for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee equivalent to 50% of the service cost or a set amount like $XX may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments (no-shows) without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

CHU de Québec (Hôpital de l'enfant-Jésus)
1401, Rue 18e
Québec, QC G1J 1Z4

Phone: (418) 649-5751

Jacinthe Ruel 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.