Nathalie Simard – Physiotherapist | Québec, QC

Nathalie Simard is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale in Québec, QC. Nathalie is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that adheres to the standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Her approach combines evidence-based practices with a focus on optimizing performance and functional recovery, especially for athletes and active individuals seeking to enhance their movement capabilities. Nathalie’s role involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and post-surgical conditions, with a special emphasis on helping her patients recover strength, improve mobility, and return to their peak performance levels.

With a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of sports injuries, overuse conditions, and neurological impairments, Nathalie tailors her treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs and goals. She assists adults and seniors alike in managing symptoms related to arthritis, post-operative recovery, and neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's Disease. Her goal is to empower her patients through education, targeted exercises, and functional training, ensuring they regain confidence in their movement and activity participation.

Nathalie completed her degree in Physiotherapy and has gained clinical experience that fuels her ongoing commitment to professional development. She has cultivated specialized skills and interests in Orthopedic, Musculoskeletal, and Neurological Physiotherapy, integrating the latest research and techniques into her practice. Nathalie believes in a collaborative, patient-centered approach, working closely with her patients to set achievable goals and actively involve them in their recovery process. She is fluent in French, ensuring clear communication and personalized care for her diverse patient base.

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

Post Surgical

• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Physiotherapy aimed at restoring movement, strength, and function after surgical repair of broken bones (e.g., Open Reduction Internal Fixation - ORIF, intramedullary nailing), once the fracture site is sufficiently healed and cleared for rehabilitation by your surgeon.
• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): Physiotherapy rehabilitation after total or partial hip replacement surgery, aimed at restoring mobility, strength, balance, and improving your gait pattern, allowing you to perform daily activities safely and effectively.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): Comprehensive post-operative recovery guidance following knee replacement, including exercises, manual therapy, and education to ensure you achieve your best possible function.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Specialized physiotherapy following knee ligament reconstruction surgery to ensure a successful recovery, minimize complications (like stiffness or muscle atrophy), and facilitate a safe and confident return to activity and sport, preventing re-injury.

Peripheral Nerve

• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Alleviating symptoms and improving function for individuals with entrapped nerves through conservative physiotherapy management, helping to avoid more invasive interventions.
• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Physiotherapy focuses on improving balance, strength, sensation (where possible), reducing fall risk, managing pain, and providing education on foot care (especially for diabetic neuropathy) and adaptive strategies.

Concussion

• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) & Post-Concussion Syndrome: A structured and individualized rehabilitation approach for individuals recovering from a mild traumatic brain injury, guiding a safe and gradual return to school, work, and sport activities.

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

• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Specific training programs to enhance your sense of body position, improve your reaction times to unexpected balance disturbances, and build confidence in your ability to move safely in various environments.
• 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.
• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Specialized physiotherapy to address persistent concussion symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance problems, visual disturbances, and difficulty concentrating or tolerating activity.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Evidence-based neurological rehabilitation focused on harnessing neuroplasticity, motor learning principles, and task-specific training to help regain lost skills and adapt to new ways of moving.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or Interferential Current (IFC) for managing acute or chronic pain conditions by modulating pain signals or promoting the release of endorphins.

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 CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, 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:

• It's truly rewarding for Nathalie to witness patients conquer persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady and experience feeling less fatigued during physical activities and throughout the day. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in safely meeting the lifting requirements at your workplace again.
• With Nathalie's help, managing one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain to achieve a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like going on enjoyable fishing or camping trips again.
• Many find that feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort significantly impacts their ability to being able to perform deep cleaning tasks around the house. Nathalie helps patients target feeling equipped with effective self-management strategies and exercises with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.

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

Nathalie practices at the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, situated in a central Québec neighborhood. The clinic is housed within a public sector facility that emphasizes accessibility and community integration. Located conveniently near local community services and pharmacies, it is easily reachable via multiple public transit routes. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiothérapeute will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

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

A Physiothérapeute in Quebec has completed 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, has a college diploma (DEC) focused on the technical application of physiotherapy treatments. They play a crucial role in delivering care by implementing treatment plans designed by a physiotherapist or physician, assisting patients with their exercises, applying modalities, and reporting progress back to the supervising professional.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiothérapeute can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

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

[Generate a brief, accurate answer about Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) coverage for physiotherapy in QC. For AB (AHCIP): State that AHCIP provides limited coverage for some physiotherapy services, typically after hospital discharge or for specific low-income individuals/seniors through particular programs. Most outpatient private clinic physiotherapy is NOT directly covered by AHCIP for the general population. Advise checking current AHCIP details and their private insurance. For BC (MSP): Explain that MSP provides partial coverage (a set amount per visit) for a limited number of physiotherapy visits (currently 10 combined per year for supplementary benefits including physio, chiro, massage, etc.) ONLY for eligible individuals with lower incomes (e.g., those on Premium Assistance). Most patients will have a co-payment and will rely on private insurance for full coverage. Advise checking MSP eligibility and their private insurance. For ON (OHIP): State clearly that OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics for most of the population. Mention that publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization for certain conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams, but eligibility criteria are strict and there may be waitlists). Strongly advise checking private insurance for private clinic coverage. For QC (RAMQ): Explain that RAMQ generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services performed in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Mention that care received directly within a public hospital or CLSC (if meeting their criteria) might be covered, but private clinic physiotherapy is usually not. Emphasize reliance on private insurance. Universal advice for all: Strongly advise patients to verify their specific eligibility for any public coverage directly with Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and to always check their private/extended health insurance plans, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.]

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 {clinic_name_if_available_else_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.

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

Patients in QC 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 *see* a Physiothérapeute, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to verify the requirements of your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While you might feel some discomfort or a stretching sensation as you work to regain movement or strength, especially in the initial stages of treatment for an acute injury or chronic stiffness, it's rarely 'painful' in a distressing or harmful way. Nathalie will guide you through each step, modify treatments to suit your comfort and tolerance, and ensure that the overall experience is positive. The ultimate goal is to help you feel better, not worse.

CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale
2400, Avenue d'Estimauville, 4e étage
Québec, QC G1E 7G9

Phone: (418) 663-1742

Nathalie Simard 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.