Mélanie Lalonde Gagné

Mélanie Lalonde Gagné provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

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): Physiotherapy to help you regain optimal use of your hand and wrist after an injury, surgery, or due to a chronic condition, enabling you to return to work, hobbies, and daily tasks.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Conditions like 'jumper's knee' (patellar tendinopathy), 'swimmer's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendinopathy), or 'tennis elbow' (lateral epicondylitis) caused by tendon issues that limit your ability to perform specific tasks.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.

Common Msk

• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Pain, discomfort, or stiffness in the lumbar spine region, whether it's a sudden onset or a long-lasting issue affecting your daily life.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Common injuries related to physical activity, sports participation, accidental falls, or overuse from daily or work-related tasks.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Aching, sharp pain, a feeling of the knee 'giving way', or difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Pain, weakness, or restricted movement in the shoulder joint, often experienced with overhead activities, lifting, reaching behind your back, or sleeping on the affected side.

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

• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Specialized manual techniques aimed at restoring normal movement and function to peripheral nerves that may be compressed, adhered, or under tension.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Active patient participation through guided, gentle muscle contractions to restore normal joint play, reduce muscle guarding, and improve tissue length.
• Dry Needling / Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS): Targeting dysfunctional muscle tissue and trigger points with fine needles to promote pain relief, muscle relaxation, and facilitate healing and functional recovery.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction / TMD Physiotherapy: Helping you find relief from jaw pain, improve your ability to eat and speak comfortably, and manage dysfunction related to your temporomandibular joint through targeted physiotherapy.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: A variety of hands-on methods such as therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release style techniques to reduce muscle tension, break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and enhance tissue flexibility.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Mélanie. 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 Action Sport Physio (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Mélanie frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Are you finding that pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints) stops you from enjoying cycling longer distances with your cycling club? Mélanie is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve a safe and confident return to their favorite sport or recreational activity through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Patients struggling with managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease can find dedicated and compassionate support from Mélanie. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving achieving their specific mobility goals, whether big or small, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching your back.
• Mélanie believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If hip pain when I walk, climb stairs, or try to sleep on my side is hindering your ability to dancing the night away at social events and family celebrations, a personalized plan focusing on improved balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors can make all the difference.

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

Action Sport Physio (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield), where Mélanie practices, is situated in a modern clinic located in the heart of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. The clinic is centrally positioned within the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield neighborhood, offering convenient access for residents and visitors alike. It is strategically located near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to integrate their physiotherapy appointments into their daily routines. The clinic is accessible via multiple public transit routes, ensuring that patients can reach their appointments with ease. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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

It's not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after certain physiotherapy treatments, especially in the initial stages or if you're starting new exercises. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience a significant or sharp increase in pain, new or worsening neurological symptoms (like numbness, tingling, or weakness), or if your soreness lasts longer than expected, it's important to contact Action Sport Physio or your Quebec healthcare provider directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This is very individual and depends on many factors. After your comprehensive initial assessment, Mélanie will be able to give you a better idea of the anticipated number of sessions and the frequency of visits needed to achieve your specific goals. We believe in open communication and will regularly review your progress with you, adjusting the treatment plan as you improve and as needed.

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, a process known as direct access. However, while a referral is not legally required to begin physiotherapy, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to verify their insurance policy requirements before their first appointment.

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally 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 may be covered if meeting specific criteria, but private clinic physiotherapy typically is not. It is important to check with RAMQ and your private insurer for coverage details.

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, create treatment plans, and perform certain restricted activities. A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist) holds a college-level diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments and guiding exercises but does not diagnose or independently establish treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Action Sport Physio (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield)
1020, Boulevard Monseigneur-Langlois, # 210
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC J6S 0M2

Phone: (450) 373-0111

Mélanie Lalonde Gagné 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.