Nathalie Blais

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

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Specific exercises (e.g., McKenzie exercises, stretching, postural exercises) and strategies to help individuals with ankylosing spondylitis maintain function, reduce stiffness, and prevent long-term spinal changes.
• 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.

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.

Common Msk

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Neck problems that interfere with your sleep quality, ability to work comfortably (especially at a desk), or perform everyday tasks without pain.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: Damage or tearing of muscle fibers, ranging from a mild overstretch (Grade 1 strain) to a partial or complete rupture (Grade 2 or 3 tear), typically caused by sudden forceful contraction, excessive stretch, or direct trauma.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Common shoulder problems such as rotator cuff issues (tendinopathy, small tears), impingement syndrome, or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) significantly affecting arm function and daily comfort.

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

• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Employing different types of electrotherapy to support your rehabilitation goals, including promoting tissue healing or improving motor control.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: The application of specific wavelengths of light energy (cold laser) by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration at a cellular level.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): The application of cold packs, ice massage, or other cold modalities by your Physiotherapist to reduce swelling, inflammation, muscle spasm, and acute pain, particularly after an injury.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.

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

• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of facial weakness or drooping on one side (like Bell's Palsy)? Nathalie works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of improved balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as playing a full game of recreational hockey with your friends.
• Many individuals seek help from Nathalie, their physiotherapist, when recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery 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 running your usual 5k route without knee pain.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Nathalie can help you move beyond that nagging tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow) that flares up with activity. The focus is on a smooth and confident transition back to their work duties, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as participating fully in your martial arts practice, including sparring.

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

Located in the Gatineau neighborhood of Gatineau, Nathalie's practice at Physio Outaouais - Pont Alonzo is situated within a reputable physiotherapy clinic that offers a welcoming environment for clients seeking quality care. The clinic is conveniently positioned near the UQO (Université du Québec en Outaouais) Campus Alexandre-Taché, making it easily accessible for students and residents alike. Visitors can reach the clinic via the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), including the Rapibus BRT system, ensuring convenient public transportation options. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically access a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, a process known as direct access. However, it is important to verify with your private or extended health insurance provider, as some plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement. While a referral is not legally necessary to see a Physiothérapeute, having one can sometimes facilitate coverage and billing processes. Patients are encouraged to check their insurance policies before their first appointment to ensure smooth coverage.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This varies depending on individual needs and conditions. After an initial comprehensive assessment, Nathalie will discuss an estimated number of sessions and treatment frequency tailored to your goals. She emphasizes open communication and will regularly review your progress, making adjustments to your treatment plan as needed to optimize recovery.

Is there parking available at or near Physio Outaouais - Pont Alonzo?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside the clinic. Look for designated patient spots. Additionally, metered street parking is generally available on nearby streets, and a paid public parkade is located within walking distance, providing convenient options for visitors. Always check signage for any restrictions or time limits.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Initial assessment appointments usually last between 45 to 60 minutes to allow for a thorough evaluation and discussion. Follow-up sessions tend to be shorter, typically 30 to 45 minutes. The exact duration may vary depending on your specific needs and the complexity of your condition, as determined by Nathalie.

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, diagnose, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. They can perform advanced procedures if qualified. A Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma (DEC) and focuses on implementing treatment plans, assisting with exercises, applying modalities, and reporting progress under supervision. Both roles are essential for delivering quality physiotherapy care.

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. Some coverage may be available if the care is received within a public hospital or CLSC under specific circumstances. It is important to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and consult your private insurance plan, as many offer substantial physiotherapy coverage for private clinic services.

Physio Outaouais - Pont Alonzo
2368, Rue Saint-Louis, bureau 201
Gatineau, QC J8V 1A2

Phone: (819) 772-1012

Nathalie Blais 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.