Luciana Braga – Physiotherapist | Verdun, QC

Luciana Braga is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal in Verdun, QC. Luciana is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Her approach emphasizes understanding each individual’s unique needs and crafting tailored treatment plans to promote healing, restore function, and enhance overall well-being.

Luciana's physiotherapy focus encompasses addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. This includes everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains to chronic pain management, arthritis care, and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. She works closely with her patients to help them recover function, improve mobility, manage symptoms, and enhance their quality of life, especially after neurological events or conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s Disease. Luciana’s compassionate approach ensures her patients feel supported throughout their healing journey.

With a solid foundation in education and clinical experience, Luciana Braga completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has continually developed her skills through ongoing professional development. She has particular interest and expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Neurological Physiotherapy. Fluent in English, French, and Portuguese, Luciana strives to communicate effectively with her diverse patient community, fostering an environment of trust, understanding, and encouragement.

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

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Specialized physiotherapy for conditions affecting the intricate structures of the hand and wrist, such as fractures (e.g., Colles', scaphoid), tendon lacerations or ruptures (e.g., flexor/extensor tendon repairs), ligament sprains/tears (e.g., skier's thumb, TFCC injuries), repetitive strain injuries, or arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis). Includes both conservative management and post-operative rehabilitation.

Post Surgical

• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): A structured physiotherapy plan to help you recover full function, independence, and confidence in your new hip after replacement surgery.
• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Targeted physiotherapy to help you recover from operatively treated fractures, addressing common issues like joint stiffness, muscle weakness, swelling, pain, and functional limitations in the affected limb.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): A structured physiotherapy program to manage post-operative pain and swelling, improve knee flexibility and strength, and re-educate your gait pattern after a TKA or PKA.

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

• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Baseline concussion testing (if offered by the clinic/practitioner) and evidence-based post-injury management to ensure a safe and effective recovery from mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Receiving personalized physiotherapy care online through secure and interactive video sessions with your qualified Physiotherapist, including real-time exercise correction and tailored advice.
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Tailored exercises, hands-on techniques, and functional strategies to manage symptoms (e.g., spasticity, weakness, ataxia) and optimize function in various neurological conditions, promoting participation in daily life.
• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): Bringing expert physiotherapy services to you when clinic visits are challenging, ensuring continuity of care and personalized attention in your familiar surroundings.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance Disorders: Helping you overcome dizziness, vertigo, and unsteadiness with targeted vestibular exercises and strategies, enabling you to return to daily activities with greater stability and comfort.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Luciana. 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 Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Luciana frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• For those whose sharp pain shooting down my leg, feeling a lot like sciatica has made handling your job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending seem like a distant memory, Luciana's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward being able to travel more comfortably and with less planning around physical limitations. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to handling your job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Luciana's clinic, common concerns like dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness after a car accident, like whiplash are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like playing fetch with your dog in the park for an extended time.
• Luciana believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If numbness, tingling, or weakness in my hands, arms, feet, or legs is hindering your ability to painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache, a personalized plan focusing on building the necessary muscle support for their joints, reducing the risk of re-injury can make all the difference.

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

Luciana practices at CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal, situated in a modern clinic in the central Verdun neighborhood. 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 ease of travel for those using buses or metro. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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 should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

Some temporary post-treatment soreness can be normal, much like after a good workout. However, if your pain significantly worsens, if you develop new concerning symptoms, or if the discomfort doesn't settle down within a day or two, please call us. Your Physiothérapeute would want to know so they can offer guidance and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan. Open communication is key to your successful recovery.

What is CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal'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 $50 may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments (no-shows) without sufficient notice. Please contact the clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy, delivered by a qualified Physiothérapeute, is a science-based profession that focuses on restoring movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of future problems. Your physiotherapist will use techniques such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy (hands-on treatment), education, and advice, empowering you to manage your health independently and achieve your physical goals.

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

In Quebec, most outpatient physiotherapy services in private clinics are not directly covered by RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Some exceptions exist, such as physiotherapy received within hospitals or CLSCs if meeting specific criteria. It is advisable to verify your coverage with RAMQ and check your private insurance plans, as many offer substantial physiotherapy benefits for services outside the public system.

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

No, in Quebec, patients 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 insurance policy to confirm their specific requirements before your appointment.

CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Île-de-Montréal
4000, Boulevard Lasalle
Verdun, QC H4G 2A3

Phone: (514) 362-1000

Luciana Braga 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.