Mélissa Trottier – Physiotherapist | Saint-Jérôme, QC

Mélissa Trottier is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Pelvic Health Focus). Practicing at Physio Extra St-Jérôme in Saint-Jérôme, QC, Mélissa is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her practice emphasizes providing specialized assessment and treatment for conditions related to the pelvic floor and surrounding region for all genders. This includes issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and pre/post-natal concerns. Mélissa’s approach is compassionate and individualized, aiming to empower her patients with education and practical strategies to improve their quality of life. She also dedicates herself to addressing the unique health needs of older adults, focusing on enhancing mobility, strength, balance, and managing age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, ultimately helping her patients maintain independence and well-being.

With a strong foundation in physiotherapy, Mélissa Trottier completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated valuable clinical experience. She is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and adheres to evidence-based practices to ensure the highest standard of care. Mélissa has developed particular expertise and a keen interest in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Geriatric Physiotherapy/Seniors’ Health, which allows her to tailor her treatments to meet the specific needs of her diverse patient population. Her dedication to continuous learning ensures that she remains current with the latest advancements and techniques in her field, providing her patients with the most effective and innovative care options.

Guided by a patient-centered philosophy, Mélissa actively involves individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. She believes in empowering her patients through clear education about their conditions and practical self-management strategies that promote lasting results. Her warm and approachable demeanor fosters a trusting environment where patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their healing journey. Mélissa is fluent in French, enabling her to communicate effectively with her French-speaking community and ensure that her patients fully understand their treatment options and care plans.

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

Chronic Pain

• 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.
• Fibromyalgia: A holistic physiotherapy approach aimed at improving quality of life for individuals with fibromyalgia by reducing pain, improving energy levels, enhancing sleep, and increasing functional capacity.
• Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (Chronic): Physiotherapy for managing pain that lingers long after surgical recovery, employing strategies such as graded motor imagery, desensitization techniques, specific exercises, manual therapy (if appropriate), and pain education to address complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or other chronic post-operative pain states.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) - Activity Management: A complex, chronic illness characterized by profound, persistent fatigue (not relieved by rest and often worsened by exertion - Post-Exertional Malaise or PEM), accompanied by other symptoms like pain, cognitive difficulties ('brain fog'), unrefreshing sleep, and orthostatic intolerance. Physiotherapy focuses on careful activity management and pacing, not graded exercise therapy that pushes through fatigue.

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis focuses on maintaining spinal mobility and flexibility (especially extension), improving posture, strengthening core and back muscles, managing pain, and providing education on self-management and regular exercise.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): An inflammatory arthritis that can affect some people with psoriasis (a skin condition), causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes affecting tendons (enthesitis) and ligaments. Can affect small or large joints, often asymmetrically, and sometimes the spine.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Supportive physiotherapy care for joint recovery and function after gout flares, focusing on restoring range of motion, reducing inflammation, and providing advice on joint protection and lifestyle factors.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.

Pelvic Health

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS - Men & Women): Helping to reduce chronic pain in the pelvis, improve muscle function, desensitize painful areas, and enhance your quality of life when dealing with persistent pelvic pain.
• Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia) / Vaginismus / Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder: Specialized physiotherapy by a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist for sexual pain disorders, focusing on desensitization techniques, manual therapy to release tight pelvic floor muscles and trigger points, specific relaxation and stretching exercises, dilator therapy guidance (if appropriate), and pain education.

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

• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): Providing professional physiotherapy assessment, treatment, education, and exercise prescription directly in the comfort and convenience of your home environment, especially for those who have difficulty attending an outpatient clinic due to mobility issues, severe pain, or other constraints.
• Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy (Assessment & Treatment - Internal exams where authorized/applicable and with consent): Targeted therapy for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, focusing on restoring optimal strength, endurance, coordination, relaxation, and normal function to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Perineal & Pelvic Pain Rehabilitation: Specialized rehabilitation programs aimed at restoring optimal function, reducing pain, desensitizing tissues, and improving muscle coordination in the perineal and pelvic areas.
• Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Muscle Retraining: Enhancing pelvic floor rehabilitation through real-time feedback on muscle function, guided by your Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.
• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Providing physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment guidance, education, exercise prescription, and self-management strategies remotely via secure video conferencing technology.
• Chronic & Persistent Pain Management Programs: Multifaceted and individualized physiotherapy approaches including pain science education (understanding your pain), graded exercise therapy, pacing strategies, coping mechanisms, manual therapy (where appropriate), and relaxation techniques to help you manage persistent pain and improve your quality of life.

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 Physio Extra St-Jérôme, 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:

• Patients often come to Mélissa feeling defeated by that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving successfully avoiding or delaying the need for more invasive treatments or surgery and resuming participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Don't let an awkward gait or limping when I walk dictate what you can and cannot do. Mélissa offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at less reliance on pain medication, trusting more in their body's ability to heal and function, helping you reclaim getting back to cycling for leisure or commuting and enjoy a more functional life.
• Many individuals seek help from Mélissa, their physiotherapist, when trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve being able to climb stairs with ease and confidence once again, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like playing actively and roughhousing with your young kids or grandkids.

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

Mélissa's practice at Physio Extra St-Jérôme is situated in the Bellefeuille Sector neighborhood of Saint-Jérôme. This private clinic facility is conveniently located near Downtown Saint-Jérôme and is easily accessible via exo (Secteur Laurentides - Bus). Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What is Physio Extra St-Jérôme'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.

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

In Quebec, physiotherapy in private clinics is generally not covered by RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Publicly funded physiotherapy may be available in certain situations, such as after hospitalization or through specific programs for seniors or low-income individuals. It is advisable to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private extended health insurance for coverage details.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques used by Physiothérapeutes to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Techniques include joint mobilization, joint manipulation (where appropriate and with your consent), soft tissue mobilization, and neural mobilization. The goal is to reduce pain, restore mobility, improve joint mechanics, and promote tissue healing.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access physiotherapy services through direct access without a referral from a physician. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check with your insurance provider before your appointment.

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

A Physiothérapeute holds a university master’s degree in physiotherapy and is authorized to perform assessments, establish diagnoses, create treatment plans, and execute therapy independently. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments and assisting with patient exercises without diagnosing or creating treatment plans. Both are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Physio Extra St-Jérôme
305, rue du Docteur Charles-Léonard , # 201
Saint-Jérôme, QC J7Y 0M9

Phone: (450) 602-0909

Mélissa Trottier 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.