Michèle Côté-Levesque – Physiotherapist | Québec, QC

Michèle Côté-Levesque is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at CIUSSSCN in Québec, QC, Michèle is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. With a focus on performance and athletic rehabilitation, Michèle specializes in addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. Her approach is tailored to active individuals, athletes, and those seeking to regain optimal function and prevent future injuries. Whether dealing with acute injuries like sprains and strains or managing chronic pain, Michèle offers comprehensive assessment and treatment strategies to facilitate swift recovery and enhance physical performance.
Michèle's expertise extends to post-operative rehabilitation, ensuring her patients return to their peak condition safely and efficiently. She also provides specialized care for dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders caused by inner ear or central vestibular system issues. Her goal is to reduce symptoms, improve stability, and lower fall risk, empowering her patients to participate fully in their daily activities and athletic pursuits. Her commitment to continuous professional development ensures that her practice remains evidence-based and aligned with the latest advancements in physiotherapy, especially in orthopedic and vestibular rehabilitation.
Educated with a strong foundation in physiotherapy, Michèle completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has accumulated valuable clinical experience. She is particularly interested in orthopedic and musculoskeletal physiotherapy as well as vestibular and balance rehabilitation. Her practice philosophy centers on empowering patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Michèle is fluent in English and French, enabling her to effectively communicate and support a diverse patient population. Her dedication to excellence makes her a trusted partner in achieving health, mobility, and performance goals.

Michèle Côté-Levesque provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Arthritis

• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Helping to manage the musculoskeletal aspects of psoriatic disease, working in conjunction with medical management to optimize your physical function and comfort.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Exercises and advice to manage the impact of gout on your joints, improve mobility, and reduce the likelihood of long-term joint damage.
• 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.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A type of chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine (especially the sacroiliac joints and vertebrae), leading to pain, stiffness, and potential fusion of vertebrae, which can result in a stooped posture if not managed.

Vestibular Balance

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A common cause of vertigo that is highly treatable with specific physiotherapy maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver or Semont maneuver, designed to reposition the displaced inner ear crystals.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Addressing chronic subjective dizziness and unsteadiness through targeted rehabilitation designed to reduce symptoms and improve functional abilities for individuals with PPPD/3PD.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Addressing the inflammation, pain, and restricted movement associated with stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger or thumb.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Focused physiotherapy care for complex hand and wrist problems, often involving custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization), specific exercises to restore dexterity, strength, and range of motion, scar management, and sensory re-education.

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

• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: Detailed physical assessment of your joints, muscles, nerves, and movement patterns to identify the root cause of your symptoms and guide your treatment.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Education on optimal body mechanics and corrective strategies to improve your posture during daily activities, work, and recreation.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Identifying inefficient or compensatory movement patterns that could be contributing to your pain or hindering your physical performance.
• 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.
• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Baseline concussion testing (if offered by the clinic/practitioner) and evidence-based post-injury management to ensure a safe and effective recovery from mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Teaching you essential strategies and exercises to manage your symptoms independently, accelerate recovery, and prevent future problems.

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

• Michèle believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort is hindering your ability to driving for longer periods without neck or back pain, a personalized plan focusing on sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort can make all the difference.
• Physiotherapy with Michèle can be a transformative turning point for those affected by tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot. The shared goal is achieving restoring normal movement patterns essential for everyday tasks, paving the way for you to enjoy comfortably cooking and meal prepping for your family and a more active, vibrant life.
• Don't let clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk dictate what you can and cannot do. Michèle offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach, helping you reclaim setting up and taking down equipment for hobbies or sports and enjoy a more functional life.

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

Michèle practices at CIUSSSCN, situated in a modern clinic in the heart of Québec's central neighborhood. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near various community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive care. The clinic is well connected via local public transit routes, ensuring quick and easy transportation options. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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 allows 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.

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

In Quebec, the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or rely on 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 important to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and check your private insurance plans for coverage.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

The first physiotherapy session is primarily an in-depth assessment. Expect to spend time talking with Michèle about your specific issue, its history, and your overall health background. She will then perform various physical tests to assess your movement, strength, and areas of concern. The main goal of this first visit is to understand your condition fully so that a tailored and effective treatment plan can be developed collaboratively. You may also receive your first set of home exercises or some initial hands-on care to start the healing process.

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at CIUSSSCN treat?

Michèle treats a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and balance conditions. This includes sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, joint and muscle pains, as well as vestibular and balance disorders such as vertigo and dizziness. Her focus on manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education helps patients return to their optimal activity levels and prevent future issues.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access physiotherapy directly without a physician's referral, known as direct access. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy before your appointment to confirm requirements.

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 and is authorized to perform assessments, diagnose, and create treatment plans independently. They are autonomous healthcare professionals. A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist) holds a college diploma and works under the supervision of a physiotherapist or physician, applying prescribed treatments and assisting in rehabilitation. Both are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

CIUSSSCN
2400, Avenue d'Estimauville
Québec, QC G1E 7G9

Phone: (418) 663-5000

Michèle Côté-Levesque 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.