Marika Rousson – Physiotherapist | Montréal, QC

Marika Rousson is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal in Montréal, QC, Marika is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her approach emphasizes understanding each patient's unique needs and working collaboratively to promote recovery, improve mobility, and enhance overall well-being. Marika's practice is rooted in compassion and a genuine desire to support her community's health and vitality.

Marika'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 specializes in assisting individuals in recovering function, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life after neurological events or conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. Her approach integrates evidence-based techniques with personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s goals.

With a solid educational foundation and ongoing professional development, Marika has cultivated expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Neurological Physiotherapy. She is committed to empowering her patients through clear education about their conditions and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Marika is fluent in French and English, ensuring she can effectively communicate and connect with her diverse community of patients.

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

Common Msk

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Disorders affecting hand and wrist function, making daily tasks such as gripping objects, typing, writing, or fine motor activities difficult and painful.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Painful neck conditions that can make head movements difficult, sometimes leading to headaches or radiating pain into the shoulders.
• 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.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).

Concussion

• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) & Post-Concussion Syndrome: Physiotherapy management of acute and persistent symptoms of a concussion, including addressing associated neck pain/dysfunction (cervicogenic component), vestibular (balance/dizziness) issues, oculomotor (eye movement) problems, and exertional intolerance.

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

• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): A systematic screening process, such as FMS™ or SFMA™ (if your Physiotherapist is certified), to understand how you move and guide preventative or corrective exercise programs.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Helping you understand how your posture impacts your musculoskeletal health and providing you with tools for lasting postural improvement and pain relief.
• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Specialized physiotherapy to address persistent concussion symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance problems, visual disturbances, and difficulty concentrating or tolerating activity.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Educating you about your diagnosis, expected recovery timeline (prognosis), and the reasons behind your treatment plan to encourage active participation in your healing.
• 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.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A complete assessment of your musculoskeletal system to pinpoint issues, set clear rehabilitation goals, and get you started on the path to recovery.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Marika. 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 Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Marika frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Tired of that nagging tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow) that flares up with activity interfering with carrying a backpack or shoulder bag comfortably? Marika uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve experiencing significant pain relief, allowing for a more comfortable daily life and regain your freedom of movement.
• The journey to greater ease in performing overhead activities or reaching when faced with persistent needing to improve my breathing patterns or lung capacity is made smoother and more effective with Marika's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like getting on and off the floor with ease.
• When clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing reading a good book for hours without experiencing neck pain or headaches, physiotherapy with Marika can help you work towards feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.

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

Marika practices at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, situated in a central Montréal 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 well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring ease of travel for those using buses or metro services. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Essentially, physiotherapy helps you get moving and stay moving effectively and comfortably. Whether you're dealing with an acute injury, chronic pain, post-surgical recovery, or a condition affecting your physical abilities, your Physiothérapeute will work with you. They'll use their expertise in body mechanics, rehabilitation, and pain management to create a personalized treatment plan involving exercises, hands-on techniques, and practical advice to help you achieve your functional goals and live a more active, fulfilling life.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiothérapeute will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

While some physiotherapy techniques might feel uncomfortable or cause a temporary increase in soreness (similar to muscle soreness after a new workout), especially when working on stiff joints or tight muscles, it should not be excessively or intolerably painful. Your Physiothérapeute will discuss what sensations you might expect with different treatments and will always aim to adjust the intensity and techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while still achieving therapeutic benefits. Constant communication about your comfort level is very important.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement is best for your physiotherapy appointment – think about what you might wear to a gym or for light exercise. If you're being treated for a lower-body issue (like hip or knee pain), shorts are very helpful. For upper-body issues (like shoulder or neck pain), a tank top or loose t-shirt is suitable so the Physiothérapeute can properly examine and treat the area.

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

Patients in Quebec 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 advisable to check with your insurance provider beforehand to ensure coverage and reimbursement eligibility.

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

In general, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC (if meeting their criteria) may be covered, but private outpatient physiotherapy is typically not included under RAMQ. It is recommended to verify your personal coverage with RAMQ and your insurance provider.

What is the difference between a Physiotherapist (Physiothérapeute) and a Physiotherapy Technologist (Technologue en physiothérapie) in Quebec?

A Physiothérapeute in Quebec has completed a master's level university education, granting them the autonomy to assess patients, make diagnoses, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. They can perform advanced procedures if qualified. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma (DEC) focused on the technical application of physiotherapy treatments, assisting physiotherapists by implementing care plans, helping patients with exercises, and reporting progress to the supervising professional.

Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal
4565, Chemin Queen-Mary
Montréal, QC H3W 1W5

Phone: (514) 340-2800

Marika Rousson 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.