Mélissa Paradis – Physiotherapist | Sherbrooke, QC

Mélissa Paradis is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at Cigonia centre de rééducation périnéale & pédiatrique in Sherbrooke, QC, Mélissa is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. She specializes in addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. Her approach includes managing everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains to chronic pain, arthritis, and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. Mélissa also provides specialized assessment and treatment for conditions related to the pelvic floor and surrounding region for all genders, including issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and pre/post-natal concerns.

With a solid educational background and clinical experience, Mélissa completed her degree in Physiotherapy and remains committed to ongoing professional development. She has developed particular skills and interest in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, ensuring her practice is grounded in evidence-based techniques. Mélissa’s experience allows her to deliver personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs, with a strong emphasis on effective recovery and improved quality of life.

Mélissa’s practice philosophy centers on empowering her patients through clear education about their conditions and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. She adopts a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Mélissa is fluent in French, ensuring clear communication and comfort for her French-speaking patients.

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

Pregnancy Postpartum

• Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Muscle Separation) Assessment & Rehabilitation: Restoring core strength, stability, and function when dealing with diastasis recti, helping to improve posture, reduce back pain, and improve the appearance of the abdomen.
• C-Section Scar Management and Abdominal Recovery: Addressing adhesions, discomfort, and functional limitations related to C-section scars, promoting better movement and core engagement.
• Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) / Low Back Pain / Sciatica: Musculoskeletal pain commonly experienced during pregnancy affecting the sacroiliac (SI) joints, pubic symphysis (SPD), low back, hips, or causing sciatica-like radiating leg pain due to hormonal changes, increased load, and altered biomechanics.

Chronic Pain

• Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (Chronic): Physiotherapy strategies to help manage long-term pain, hypersensitivity, and functional limitations following an operation, improving your quality of life.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) - Activity Management: Physiotherapy support for individuals with CFS/ME, focusing on developing personalized pacing strategies, energy conservation techniques, gentle mobility exercises (within energy limits), and education on symptom management to improve daily function and quality of life while respecting the illness's limitations.
• Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory and mood issues (often called 'fibro fog'), and tender points.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Supportive Care: Physiotherapy for CRPS aims to manage severe pain, improve mobility and function, desensitize the affected limb, and promote normal use, often using techniques like graded motor imagery, mirror therapy, sensory discrimination training, and gentle graded exercise.

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): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.

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

• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): The therapeutic use of different electrical currents by your Physiotherapist to achieve specific physiological effects, such as improving muscle contraction, reducing atrophy, or enhancing functional movement.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic injury.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often used to prepare tissues for manual therapy or exercise, or to manage acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: A non-invasive light therapy used in physiotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, promote faster healing, reduce pain, and modulate inflammation without generating heat.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Mélissa. 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 Cigonia centre de rééducation périnéale & pédiatrique, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Mélissa frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The journey to improved coordination for complex movements and fine motor tasks when faced with persistent difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning shirts or writing due to hand pain is made smoother and more effective with Mélissa's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity with ease.
• Don't let trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury dictate what you can and cannot do. Mélissa offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations, helping you reclaim dancing the night away at social events and family celebrations and enjoy a more functional life.
• If my infant having a tilted head or a flat spot on their head (torticollis/plagiocephaly) is preventing you from fully enjoying challenging myself with indoor or outdoor rock climbing, Mélissa offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining improved circulation and tissue healing, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.

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

Mélissa practices at Cigonia centre de rééducation périnéale & pédiatrique, situated within a reputable physiotherapy clinic in the Sherbrooke neighborhood of Sherbrooke. Conveniently located near Marché de la Gare, the clinic is easily accessible by public transit via Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS). The facility is wheelchair accessible, and free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby, ensuring easy access for all patients seeking personalized physiotherapy care in a welcoming environment.

How can I book an appointment at Cigonia centre de rééducation périnéale & pédiatrique?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (819) 821-3434 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at https://cigonia.com/. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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 start physiotherapy, some private or extended health insurance plans may still require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy before your first appointment to understand any specific requirements.

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 Cigonia 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 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 a physiotherapy diagnosis, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. They can also perform certain advanced procedures if they have the required additional qualifications. A Technologue en physiothérapie, on the other hand, holds a college diploma (DEC) focused on the technical application of physiotherapy treatments. They play a vital role by implementing treatment plans designed by a physiotherapist or physician, assisting patients with exercises, applying modalities, and reporting progress back to the supervising professional.

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

In Quebec, physiotherapy services provided in private clinics are generally not covered by RAMQ, and patients typically pay out-of-pocket or rely on private insurance. Publicly funded physiotherapy may be available through hospitals, CLSCs, or specific programs for certain populations, but most outpatient private physiotherapy services are not covered. It is recommended to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance for coverage details.

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at Cigonia centre de rééducation périnéale & pédiatrique treat?

Mélissa and her colleagues treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and pelvic health conditions. This includes issues like back and neck pain, joint problems such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, and nerve pain. They also specialize in pelvic health concerns like incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Treatments often involve modalities such as electrotherapy (NMES, FES), interferential current/TENS, manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education to help achieve functional goals.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, physiotherapy is highly effective in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Mélissa can identify risk factors such as muscular imbalances, poor movement patterns, or postural issues. Through targeted exercises, ergonomic advice, activity modification, and education, physiotherapy can reduce the risk of initial injuries, re-injury, and chronic pain, supporting long-term health and activity levels.

Cigonia centre de rééducation périnéale & pédiatrique
2845, Rue King O
Sherbrooke, QC J1L 1C6

Phone: (819) 821-3434 | Website: https://cigonia.com/

Mélissa Paradis 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.