About
Laurence Brassard is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at Physio Extra Ahuntsic centre in Montréal, QC. Laurence is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in a welcoming and community-focused environment, aligning with the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Her approach emphasizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, fostering a collaborative relationship to promote optimal recovery and well-being.
With a comprehensive physiotherapy focus, Laurence addresses a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. Her expertise includes managing acute injuries like sprains and strains, chronic pain, arthritis, and providing thorough post-operative rehabilitation. She also offers specialized assessment and treatment for jaw pain (TMJ/TMD), orofacial pain, and various headaches, such as cervicogenic and tension-type headaches, which often have a musculoskeletal component. Laurence strives to serve patients of all ages, from infants and young children to adults and seniors, ensuring accessible and personalized care for everyone in the community.
Laurence completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated clinical experience that fuels her passion for ongoing professional development. She maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practices, continually updating her skills in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and TMJ, Headache, and Orofacial Pain Physiotherapy. Her practice philosophy centers around a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Laurence is fluent in both French and English, making her accessible to a diverse community of patients.
Laurence Brassard provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Supportive physiotherapy for individuals with psoriatic arthritis, focusing on managing joint pain and swelling, maintaining range of motion and strength, improving function, and providing advice on activity modification and joint protection.
- 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.
Hand & Wrist
- Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Addressing the inflammation, pain, and restricted movement associated with stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger or thumb.
- Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Managing a variety of acute and chronic conditions of the hand and wrist, aiming to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term disability.
Back & Neck Pain
- Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
- Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Laurence can assess your needs.
- Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Evidence-based exercise programs designed by your physiotherapist, including instruction and progression, to optimize your recovery and enhance your physical well-being.
- Chronic & Persistent Pain Management Programs: Personalized physiotherapy programs designed to reduce the impact of chronic pain on your life, helping you to gradually increase activity levels and re-engage in meaningful activities.
- 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.
- Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
- General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Structured physical activities and exercises aimed at helping you safely regain strength, stamina, and confidence in your body's abilities, tailored to your current level.
- Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Progressive resistance training programs designed by your Physiotherapist to improve muscle performance, support joint health, and enhance functional capacity for daily life or sport.
Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Laurence. 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 Extra Ahuntsic centre, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Laurence frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Struggling with the frustration of trouble with everyday tasks because of pain or weakness in my hands or grip? Laurence develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable. This is key to helping you get back to doing performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching your back with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
- Don't let sharp pain shooting down my leg, feeling a lot like sciatica dictate what you can and cannot do. Laurence offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities, helping you reclaim performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity with ease and enjoy a more functional life.
- Patients often come to Laurence feeling defeated by that grinding or crunching feeling in my knee or shoulder. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence and resuming maintaining an upright posture while working on your computer for hours becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Laurence, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.
Laurence practices at the Physio Extra Ahuntsic centre, located in the vibrant and central Montréal neighborhood. The clinic is situated within a modern private facility that offers a welcoming environment for patients of all ages. It is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access their care. The clinic is well-connected via multiple public transit routes, ensuring that visiting Laurence's practice is simple and stress-free. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiothérapeute in QC?
- In Quebec, patients can generally see a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, which is known as direct access. However, while a referral is not legally required to *see* a Physiothérapeute, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements.
- Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?
- The number of physiotherapy sessions varies greatly depending on the individual's condition, severity, and treatment goals. Laurence will discuss a proposed treatment plan after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress to determine the appropriate frequency and duration of therapy.
- What is the difference between a Physiotherapist (Physiothérapeute) and a Physiotherapy Technologist (Technologue en physiothérapie) in Quebec?
- In Quebec, a Physiothérapeute holds a university master's degree and is authorized to perform patient assessments, establish diagnoses, create treatment plans, and apply various therapeutic interventions independently. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments and guiding exercises without diagnosing or creating treatment plans independently. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).
- What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at Physio Extra Ahuntsic centre treat?
- Laurence and her colleagues treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes issues such as back and neck pain, joint problems, sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, TMJ/TMD, headaches, and pelvic health concerns. Their treatments often involve personalized therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and pain management strategies aimed at restoring function and reducing discomfort.
- 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. Care received in hospitals or CLSCs may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is important to verify with RAMQ and your private insurance provider to understand your coverage options for physiotherapy services.
Physio Extra Ahuntsic centre
9735, Boulevard Saint-Laurent, # 202
Montréal, QC H3L 2N4
Phone: (514) 325-9735 | Website: https://physioextra.ca/cliniques/ahuntsic-centre/
Laurence Brassard 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.