Sarah Turgeon-Désilets – Physiotherapist | Westmount, QC

Sarah Turgeon-Désilets is a dedicated Physiothérapeute (Pediatric Physiotherapy Focus). Practicing at Hôpital de Montréal pour Enfants - Institut de Recherche in Westmount, QC, Sarah is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) standards. She specializes in providing tailored physiotherapy services for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing developmental delays, congenital conditions such as torticollis, orthopaedic injuries, and neurological conditions. Her approach aims to promote optimal motor function, participation in daily activities, and overall well-being, ensuring that young patients achieve their developmental milestones and return to active, healthy lifestyles.

Sarah’s extensive training and clinical experience have equipped her with a deep understanding of pediatric rehabilitation. She continuously advances her skills through ongoing professional development and evidence-based practices, ensuring her interventions are both innovative and effective. Her particular interest in pediatric physiotherapy allows her to develop personalized treatment plans that are engaging, supportive, and focused on empowering both children and their families, fostering long-term health and functional independence.

With a philosophy rooted in promoting preventative care and long-term wellness, Sarah adopts a collaborative approach, working closely with patients and their families to achieve their movement and functional goals. She believes in educating and empowering her patients for ongoing self-management. Sarah is fluent in English and French, facilitating clear and compassionate communication with diverse families and individuals in the Westmount community.

Sarah Turgeon-Désilets provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Common Msk

• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Injuries to ankle ligaments, typically from twisting or 'rolling' motions, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Can result in recurrent sprains and chronic instability if not properly rehabilitated.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Aching, soreness, or sharp pain experienced in the neck, which may include muscle spasms, trigger points, or reduced flexibility.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Symptoms in your hand or wrist that impact your ability to perform your job, hobbies, or essential self-care tasks, addressed by specialized hand physiotherapy.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Common injuries related to physical activity, sports participation, accidental falls, or overuse from daily or work-related tasks.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.

Pediatric

• Congenital Muscular Torticollis / Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome): Helping your baby achieve a centered head position, full neck mobility, and improve their head shape through specialized physiotherapy techniques and parent education.
• Pediatric Sports Injuries & Growing Pains (e.g., Osgood-Schlatter, Sever's Disease): Physiotherapy rehabilitation tailored for the unique needs of children and adolescents involved in sports, focusing on safe recovery, pain management, correcting biomechanics, and facilitating a gradual return to play while minimizing risk of re-injury.
• Developmental Delays (Gross Motor Skills): Helping babies and young children catch up on their physical developmental milestones, improve coordination, strength, and balance for successful participation in play and daily activities.
• Toe Walking (Idiopathic / Habitual): Persistent walking on the toes or balls of the feet in young children, without a known underlying medical or neurological cause (idiopathic toe walking), often developing as a habit after initially learning to walk.

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

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Hands-on physiotherapy focused on mobilizing restricted joints and soft tissues to promote healing, restore normal biomechanics, and alleviate pain.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Targeted therapy to alleviate symptoms such as shooting pain, pins and needles, or weakness arising from neural tension or entrapment.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: An in-depth examination to fully understand your specific condition, allowing your Physiotherapist to create an effective and personalized rehabilitation plan.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Using controlled isometric and isotonic muscle contractions, as directed by your Physiotherapist, to address joint restrictions and muscle imbalances effectively.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Providing clear guidance on self-care techniques, activity modifications, and beneficial lifestyle adjustments for long-term well-being and injury prevention.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Hands-on treatment focusing on your body's soft tissues to restore pliability, reduce discomfort, and optimize movement quality.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Sarah. 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 Hôpital de Montréal pour Enfants - Institut de Recherche, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Sarah frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Through personalized physiotherapy at Sarah's clinic, common concerns like my child walking on their toes most of the time are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of a better understanding of ergonomics for their work and home environment. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching your back.
• Rediscover your ability to managing your personal care routines independently without the constant burden of an awkward gait or limping when I walk. Sarah focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to achieving their specific mobility goals, whether big or small, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Many individuals seek help from Sarah, their physiotherapist, when managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve reduced muscle tension and a feeling of greater physical ease, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like getting on and off the floor with ease.

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

Sarah practices at the Hôpital de Montréal pour Enfants - Institut de Recherche, situated within a modern clinic located in the central Westmount neighborhood of Westmount. This Centre de recherche (milieu privé) facility is conveniently positioned near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access comprehensive care. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, providing accessible options for families and individuals. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiothérapeute to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

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, while a referral isn't required to consult a Physiothérapeute, some private or extended health insurance plans may mandate a physician's referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients should verify their insurance policies beforehand to ensure coverage.

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, establish diagnoses, 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 or treatment plan of a physiotherapist or physician. They assist in delivering prescribed treatments, guiding exercises, and monitoring progress but do not diagnose or independently plan treatments. Both are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at Hôpital de Montréal pour Enfants - Institut de Recherche treat?

Our Physiothérapeutes treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and pediatric conditions. This includes sports injuries, developmental delays, congenital conditions like torticollis, post-surgical recoveries, and neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy. They utilize techniques like manual therapy, neural mobilization, and patient education to facilitate optimal movement and function.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

The goal of physiotherapy is generally to reduce pain and improve function. Some techniques may cause mild, temporary discomfort, but your Physiothérapeute will always work within your tolerance and communicate clearly. If you experience significant pain, please inform your therapist immediately so adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort.

What is Hôpital de Montréal pour Enfants - Institut de Recherche's appointment cancellation policy?

We kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Late cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee to compensate for time lost. Please contact the clinic promptly if you need to alter your appointment.

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Coverage may be available if receiving care within certain public facilities or under specific programs. Patients should verify their insurance plans and eligibility with RAMQ.

Hôpital de Montréal pour Enfants - Institut de Recherche
4060, Rue Sainte-Catherine O
Westmount, QC H3Z 2Z3

Phone: (514) 934-1934

Sarah Turgeon-Désilets 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.