Josette Quintal – Physiotherapist | Saint-Hyacinthe, QC

Josette Quintal is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at CISSS MONTÉRÉGIE EST in Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Josette is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her approach to physiotherapy emphasizes personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual's unique needs, helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being. With a compassionate and community-focused mindset, Josette strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel supported and empowered throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Josette's role extends beyond immediate injury management; she also specializes in addressing the specific health concerns of older adults. Her focus includes improving mobility, strength, and balance, managing age-related conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis, and reducing fall risk. Her goal is to help senior patients maintain independence and enjoy a better quality of life through evidence-based physiotherapy interventions. Josette is passionate about fostering long-term health and wellness within her community, ensuring her patients feel confident and capable in their daily activities.

Educated with a strong foundation in physiotherapy, Josette completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated clinical experience that enriches her practice. She is dedicated to ongoing professional development and stays current with the latest evidence-based practices. Josette has developed particular expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Geriatric Physiotherapy/Seniors' Health, allowing her to provide comprehensive care tailored to her patients' evolving needs. Her practice philosophy centers on collaboration, education, and empowering patients to take an active role in their recovery. Josette is fluent in English and French, enabling her to communicate effectively with a diverse community of patients.

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

Arthritis

• 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.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A physiotherapy approach to address the unique challenges of AS, aiming to keep you as mobile and active as possible and support your spinal health and overall well-being.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Physiotherapy to address residual joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and functional loss after an acute gout attack has subsided, or to help manage musculoskeletal impairments and tophi-related issues associated with chronic gout, always in conjunction with appropriate medical management for urate control.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Individualized exercise programs and pain management strategies tailored for psoriatic arthritis to help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Back & Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Symptoms resulting from a whiplash injury, which can vary in severity (WAD Grades I-III) and duration, requiring a comprehensive physiotherapy approach for recovery.

Neurological

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) / Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Rehabilitation: Focusing on restoring movement, balance, and independence after a traumatic or acquired brain injury through evidence-based physiotherapy approaches.
• Parkinson's Disease Management & Movement Therapy: Physiotherapy interventions focusing on large-amplitude movements, rhythmic activities, and strategies to overcome movement difficulties associated with Parkinson's.

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

• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Employing different types of electrotherapy to support your rehabilitation goals, including promoting tissue healing or improving motor control.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: A comforting physiotherapy modality that helps to soothe tight muscles, decrease pain perception, and improve the flexibility of soft tissues.
• 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.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Utilizing targeted electrical currents to help alleviate pain, manage discomfort, and support healing in conjunction with other physiotherapy interventions.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often used to prepare tissues for manual therapy or exercise, or to manage acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.

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

• Don't let feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move dictate what you can and cannot do. Josette offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at reduced muscle tension and a feeling of greater physical ease, helping you reclaim participating in water aerobics or other pool-based exercises and enjoy a more functional life.
• Many find that clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk significantly impacts their ability to working on detailed woodworking projects in your shop without hand pain. Josette helps patients target feeling more stable and confident on their feet, especially on uneven surfaces with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Josette's clinic, common concerns like knee pain, especially when going up/down stairs or after a run are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like getting in and out of the car smoothly and without wincing.

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

Josette practices at CISSS MONTÉRÉGIE EST, situated in a modern clinic in the central Saint-Hyacinthe neighborhood of Saint-Hyacinthe. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive care. The clinic is accessible via multiple public transit routes, ensuring that patients from various parts of the community can reach their appointments with ease. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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).

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiothérapeute to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Essentially, physiotherapy helps you get moving and stay moving effectively and comfortably. Whether you're dealing with an acute injury, chronic pain, post-surgical recovery, or a condition affecting your physical abilities, your Physiothérapeute will work with you. They'll use their expertise in body mechanics, rehabilitation, and pain management to create a personalized treatment plan involving exercises, hands-on techniques, and practical advice to help you achieve your functional goals and live a more active, fulfilling life.

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

In Quebec, coverage for physiotherapy varies. The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) generally does not cover physiotherapy services in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Publicly funded physiotherapy services are available in certain situations, such as post-hospitalization or through community clinics, but eligibility is limited. It is advisable to verify your specific coverage directly with RAMQ and check your private health insurance plans for coverage options.

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?

Patients in Quebec can typically see a Physiothérapeute 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 check your specific insurance policy before your appointment.

Is there parking available at or near CISSS MONTÉRÉGIE EST?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside our building. Look for the designated patient spots. Additional street parking may be available on nearby streets, and there is also a paid public parkade located within a short walking distance of the clinic. Please check signage for any restrictions or time limits.

CISSS MONTÉRÉGIE EST
1800, Rue Dessaulles
Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2T2

Phone: (450) 771-3333

Josette Quintal 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.