Marie-Josee St-Hilaire – Physiotherapy Technologist | Jonquière, QC

Marie-Josee St-Hilaire is a dedicated Physiotherapy Technologist (Phys. T.). Practicing at CIUSSS de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean in Jonquière, QC, Marie-Josee is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. 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 her compassionate approach, Marie-Josee strives to help individuals regain their mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being.

Marie-Josee serves a diverse patient population, including older children (5+), adolescents, adults, and seniors. She tailors her interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual, ensuring that every patient receives personalized care aimed at achieving optimal outcomes. Her focus on evidence-based practices and continuous professional development allows her to stay current with the latest techniques and modalities in physiotherapy, ensuring her patients benefit from the most effective treatments available.

With a solid educational background and extensive clinical experience, Marie-Josee has developed particular skill and interest in therapeutic exercise instruction, modality application, and patient monitoring. Her practice philosophy emphasizes a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Marie-Josee is fluent in French, which enables her to communicate effectively with her diverse patient community, ensuring clarity and comfort throughout the physiotherapy process.

Marie-Josee St-Hilaire provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Common Msk

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Aching, soreness, or sharp pain experienced in the neck, which may include muscle spasms, trigger points, or reduced flexibility.
• 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.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: A 'pulled' muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or sudden changes in direction, causing immediate pain and difficulty using the muscle.
• 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. Marie-Josee can assess your needs.

• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: A progressive program designed to build a strong and stable core, improving your body's foundation for all movements and reducing strain on other structures.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: A carefully selected set of exercises specific to your condition and abilities, aimed at restoring function, reducing pain, improving movement, and preventing future issues.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
• 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.
• 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.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Developing muscular strength and endurance to aid in injury recovery, support affected joints, improve biomechanics, and enhance athletic performance or demanding physical tasks.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Marie-Josee. 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 de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Marie-Josee frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• For those whose pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard has made walking your children to school or the park seem like a distant memory, Marie-Josee's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to walking your children to school or the park with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Struggling with the frustration of my child walking on their toes most of the time? Marie-Josee develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving successfully integrating safe movement strategies into their daily routines. This is key to helping you get back to doing playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Tired of tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot interfering with reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain? Marie-Josee uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve successfully avoiding or delaying the need for more invasive treatments or surgery and regain your freedom of movement.

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

Marie-Josee practices at the CIUSSS de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, situated in a centrally located clinic in the heart of the Jonquière neighborhood of Jonquière. This public healthcare facility is conveniently positioned near various community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive healthcare resources in one location. The clinic is accessible via multiple local public transit routes, providing convenient transportation options for patients of all mobility levels. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. We recommend you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If our clinic offers direct billing and your plan permits it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

What is CIUSSS de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean'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 our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your 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. 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).

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

Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services performed in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC (if meeting their criteria) might be covered, but private clinic physiotherapy is usually not. It is advisable to verify eligibility directly with RAMQ and to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer substantial coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

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

Patients in Quebec can typically access a Physiotherapy Technologist directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, while a referral is not legally required to *see* a Physiotherapy Technologist, some private/extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check your insurance policy details before your appointment.

Does CIUSSS de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, our clinic offers direct billing for most major private insurance companies such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Blue Cross. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment. If direct billing is not available, we provide detailed receipts that you can submit yourself for reimbursement. It is important to confirm your coverage and any applicable limits with your insurer prior to your appointment, as plans vary and you are responsible for any remaining balance.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapy Technologists at CIUSSS de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean treat?

Our Physiotherapy Technologists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries including MVA injuries like whiplash, strains, and contusions, as well as nerve pain. They are skilled in therapeutic exercise instruction, modality application—including pelvic health—and manual therapy techniques. Their treatments often focus on core stability, personalized exercise programs, and patient education to support recovery and improve functional capacity.

CIUSSS de Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
2230, Rue de l'hôpital
Jonquière, QC G7X 7X2

Phone: (418) 695-7700

Marie-Josee St-Hilaire 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.