Nadine Hélal – Physiotherapist | Québec, QC

Nadine Hélal is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale in Québec, QC, Nadine is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. Her approach focuses on addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, with a particular emphasis on performance optimization and athletic rehabilitation. Nadine’s expertise includes helping athletes and active individuals recover from injuries, improve their strength, mobility, and function, and return to their peak performance levels efficiently and safely.

With extensive clinical experience, Nadine specializes in treating sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and neurological impairments such as stroke, brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease. She is passionate about empowering her patients through education and personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique needs and goals. Nadine’s comprehensive approach ensures that each individual receives tailored interventions designed to restore movement, reduce pain, and enhance overall physical resilience, enabling them to achieve their performance and wellness objectives.

Nadine completed her degree in Physiotherapy and continually advances her skills through ongoing professional development. She has developed particular interest and expertise in Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy as well as Neurological Physiotherapy. Fluent in English and French, Nadine is dedicated to providing accessible, effective, and motivating physiotherapy care for adults and seniors seeking to maximize their physical potential and maintain an active lifestyle.

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

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.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for inner ear balance problems, involving customized exercises that promote central nervous system compensation and adaptation to the weakened vestibular input.

Post Surgical

• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): A tailored physiotherapy program following hip joint replacement to optimize your recovery, manage pain, ensure adherence to any precautions, and facilitate a return to an active lifestyle.
• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Helping you manage pain, improve scar mobility, and regain optimal strength and range of motion in a limb following fracture fixation surgery.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Guiding your rehabilitation journey after ACL or other ligament surgery, from early post-operative care to advanced sport-specific training and return-to-play testing.

Peripheral Nerve

• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Management of symptoms such as pain (neuropathic pain), numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, typically in the hands or feet, resulting from damage to peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Addressing conditions affecting nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, aiming to relieve pressure on the nerve, reduce inflammation, restore normal nerve function, and alleviate symptoms.

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

• 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.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: A comforting physiotherapy modality that helps to soothe tight muscles, decrease pain perception, and improve the flexibility of soft tissues.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.
• 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.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: Utilizing therapeutic laser to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce pain signals, and manage inflammation as part of your comprehensive physiotherapy care.

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

• Many find that trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain significantly impacts their ability to sitting comfortably through a movie at the cinema or a play. Nadine helps patients target restored joint function, leading to smoother and more coordinated movements with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Are you finding that my baby/child having trouble with their motor skills, like delayed rolling, sitting or walking stops you from enjoying working on detailed woodworking projects in your shop without hand pain? Nadine is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy with Nadine can be a transformative turning point for those affected by loss of strength in one of my limbs after an injury. The shared goal is achieving improved circulation and tissue healing, paving the way for you to enjoy managing the physical demands of your job without constant pain and a more active, vibrant life.

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

Nadine's practice at CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale is situated in a modern clinic in the central Québec neighborhood of Québec. This public sector facility is conveniently located within the vibrant community, close to local services and pharmacies. Easily accessible via multiple public transit routes, the clinic offers a welcoming environment for all patients. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their movement, function, and overall well-being. A registered Physiothérapeute uses evidence-based techniques like targeted exercise, hands-on manual therapy, and personalized education to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of injuries, pain conditions, and physical impairments affecting your muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and even your cardiorespiratory system. It can help you reduce pain, increase mobility and strength, recover from surgery, prevent future injuries, and enhance your quality of life.

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

In Québec, patients can typically access physiotherapy directly without a physician's referral—this is known as direct access. However, while a referral is not always legally required to see a Physiothérapeute, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to verify the specific requirements of their insurance policies before their first appointment.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiothérapeute can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

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

Generally, RAMQ does not cover physiotherapy services performed in private clinics. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Care received within a public hospital or CLSC may be covered if meeting specific criteria, but private outpatient physiotherapy is typically not included. Patients are advised to check their private insurance plans and eligibility with RAMQ for any public coverage.

What is the difference between a Physiothérapeute and a Technologue en physiothérapie in Quebec?

In Quebec, a Physiothérapeute holds a university master's degree in physiotherapy and is authorized to perform assessments, diagnose, and create treatment plans. They are autonomous healthcare professionals. A Technologue en physiothérapie, on the other hand, holds a college-level diploma and works under the supervision of a Physiothérapeute or physician. They assist with applying treatment modalities and guiding exercises but do not diagnose or independently create treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

What are CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale's operating hours?

Our clinic is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with some practitioners offering Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Hours may vary depending on the practitioner and day. Please contact the clinic at (418) 555-1234 or visit our website at www.ciusss-capitalenationale.ca for the most current hours and appointment availability.

CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale
2601, Chemin de la Canardière
Québec, QC G1J 2G3

Phone: (418) 827-5241

Nadine Hélal 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.