Karine M. Tardif – Physiotherapy Technologist | Montréal, QC

Karine M. Tardif is a dedicated Physiotherapy Technologist (Phys. T.) practicing at CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Hôpital Sacré-Coeur) in Montréal, QC. She is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care tailored to the needs of active individuals and athletes. Karine's approach emphasizes empowering her patients through education and practical strategies, enabling them to actively participate in their recovery and optimize their physical performance. Her role involves assisting in the implementation of treatment plans prescribed by physiotherapists or physicians, guiding patients through therapeutic exercises, and applying various treatment modalities to support recovery and functional improvement.

With a solid educational background and clinical experience, Karine has developed a focus on evidence-based practices that facilitate rapid return to sport and daily activities. She has cultivated skills in therapeutic exercise instruction, modality application, and patient monitoring, making her a valuable part of the rehabilitation team. Her dedication to ongoing professional development ensures she stays current with the latest techniques and technologies in physiotherapy, always aiming to deliver the most effective, performance-oriented care.

Karine's practice philosophy centers on empowering patients through clear education about their conditions and self-management strategies for lasting results. She adopts a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in treatment planning and goal setting. Her commitment to continuous learning and evidence-based practice allows her to provide care that meets the highest professional standards. Karine is fluent in English and French, ensuring effective communication with a diverse patient population.

Karine M. Tardif 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): Discomfort felt around the shoulder blade, at the top of the shoulder, or radiating down the arm, making simple tasks challenging.
• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Pain, discomfort, or stiffness in the lumbar spine region, whether it's a sudden onset or a long-lasting issue affecting your daily life.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Discomfort experienced in the hip region, groin, outer hip, or buttock, potentially stemming from joint inflammation (bursitis), muscle strains, tendinopathy, or conservative management of labral tears.

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

• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or Interferential Current (IFC) for managing acute or chronic pain conditions by modulating pain signals or promoting the release of endorphins.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: Utilizing therapeutic laser to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce pain signals, and manage inflammation as part of your comprehensive physiotherapy care.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Karine. 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 CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Hôpital Sacré-Coeur), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Karine frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The path to recovery from working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery and achieving a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable for being able to carry your baby or toddler without straining your back or arms often starts with expert guidance. Karine, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• It's truly rewarding for Karine to witness patients conquer managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease and experience experiencing significant pain relief, allowing for a more comfortable daily life. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in managing your personal care routines independently again.
• For those whose that 'arthritic' pain in my hands, hips, or knees has made attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout seem like a distant memory, Karine's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward feeling more resilient and less vulnerable to minor strains or injuries. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout with greater comfort and renewed confidence.

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

Karine practices at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Hôpital Sacré-Coeur), situated within a modern, accessible clinic in the heart of Montréal's central neighborhood. This location is set within a public healthcare environment, providing a seamless integration of services for patients seeking performance and recovery-focused physiotherapy. The facility is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy to combine your physiotherapy appointments with other errands or healthcare needs. Easily accessible via multiple public transit routes, the clinic ensures that patients can reach their appointments without hassle. 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).

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access a Physiotherapy Technologist directly through a process called direct access, meaning no referral from a physician is legally required to begin physiotherapy services. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy's specific requirements before your first appointment to ensure coverage.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Karine may use techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, sustained pressures, and joint manipulations to help reduce pain, improve joint mobility, relax tight muscles, and enhance nerve mobility. These techniques are a core part of physiotherapy aimed at restoring optimal movement and function.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While some discomfort or a stretching sensation may be experienced during certain treatments, especially in the initial stages of recovery or with acute injuries, it is rarely painful in a distressing way. Karine will guide you through each step, modifying treatments to ensure your comfort and safety, with the goal of making you feel better, not worse.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapy Technologists at CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Hôpital Sacré-Coeur) treat?

Karine addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes issues like back and neck pain, joint problems such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries like strains or contusions, and nerve pain. She also has expertise in areas like therapeutic exercise instruction and modality application, including electrotherapy and heat therapy, all aimed at helping patients achieve their functional goals.

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 typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance for these services. Some coverage might be available if receiving care within a public hospital or CLSC meeting specific criteria, but private clinic physiotherapy is usually not reimbursed. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan for coverage details.

CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Hôpital Sacré-Coeur)
5400, Boulevard Gouin O
Montréal, QC H4J 1C5

Phone: (514) 338-2222

Karine M. Tardif 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.