Louise East

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

Developmental

• Coordination Challenges / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) - Supportive Physiotherapy: Marked difficulties with motor coordination that significantly interfere with a child's ability to perform daily living activities (e.g., dressing, using cutlery), achieve academically (e.g., handwriting), or participate in play and sports. These difficulties are not explained by intellectual disability or other primary neurological or sensory conditions.

Common Msk

• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Pain affecting the hip joint and surrounding musculature, which can limit activities like walking, standing for long periods, rising from a chair, or lying on the affected side.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Symptoms in your hand or wrist that impact your ability to perform your job, hobbies, or essential self-care tasks, addressed by specialized hand physiotherapy.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Aching, soreness, or sharp pain experienced in the neck, which may include muscle spasms, trigger points, or reduced flexibility.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: Common injuries in active individuals, athletes, or resulting from accidents, leading to localized pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the affected muscle (e.g., hamstring, calf, quadriceps, groin, rotator cuff).

Sports Injury

• IT Band Syndrome (Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome): An overuse injury resulting from repetitive friction of the IT band over the lateral femoral epicondyle (at the knee) or greater trochanter (at the hip).
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee / Anterior Knee Pain): Pain felt around, under, or behind the kneecap (patella), often described as a dull ache that is aggravated by activities like running, jumping, squatting, using stairs (especially going down), or prolonged sitting with the knee bent.

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

• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Specialized workouts to enhance your core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for injury prevention, back health, and efficient performance in daily activities and sports.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Assessing your fundamental movement patterns to identify limitations, asymmetries, and potential risk factors for injury or re-injury.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Detailed analysis of your static and dynamic posture, with tailored exercises, stretches, and advice to help you improve alignment and reduce strain on your body.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Providing clear guidance on self-care techniques, activity modifications, and beneficial lifestyle adjustments for long-term well-being and injury prevention.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Louise. 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 du Bas-St-Laurent, Kamouraska, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Louise frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• It's truly rewarding for Louise to witness patients conquer that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away and experience better joint stability during movement and weight-bearing activities. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again.
• Patients often come to Louise feeling defeated by a 'frozen shoulder' feeling, where her shoulder feels completely stuck. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, experiencing significant pain relief, allowing for a more comfortable daily life and resuming operating machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Many find that awful foot pain first thing in the morning, like walking on glass (plantar fasciitis), significantly impacts their ability to give presentations or speak publicly with confidence and good posture. Louise helps patients improve balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors, making a return to these activities possible.

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

Louise practices at CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent, Kamouraska, situated in a central clinic in the La Pocatière neighborhood of La Pocatière, QC. 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 local public transit routes, ensuring ease of travel for all patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Your first physiotherapy appointment, which includes a detailed assessment and the development of your initial treatment plan, usually takes about 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled for 30 to 45 minutes. The exact duration of each session will depend on the nature of your treatment and what your Physiothérapeute has planned for that specific visit to best help you progress.

What is CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent, Kamouraska'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 may be charged for late cancellations less than 24 hours' notice or no-shows without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make changes to your appointment.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically see a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, which is known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It's advisable to check your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

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 and is authorized to perform assessments, establish diagnoses, and create treatment plans independently. A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist) holds a college diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments and guiding exercises without diagnosing or independently planning care. Both are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Absolutely. Physiotherapy not only treats current issues but also plays a vital role in injury prevention. A Physiothérapeute can assess movement patterns, identify weaknesses or imbalances, and develop personalized programs to reduce future injury risk, helping you maintain long-term musculoskeletal health.

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received in hospital or CLSC settings may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is important to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plans, as many offer substantial coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

CISSS du Bas-St-Laurent, Kamouraska
1201, 6e Avenue, C.P. 460
La Pocatière, QC G0R 1Z0

Phone: (418) 856-7000

Louise East 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.