Sophie St-Jean – Physiotherapist | Montréal, QC

Sophie St-Jean is a dedicated Physiothérapeute. Practicing at URFI CSSS Jeanne-Mance in Montréal, QC, Sophie is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with the standards of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). Her approach centers on addressing a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and functional conditions, with a strong emphasis on performance and athletic rehabilitation. Sophie’s goal is to support her patients—adults and seniors—in achieving optimal movement, reducing pain, and enhancing their overall physical performance through tailored physiotherapy interventions and evidence-based practices.

With a comprehensive understanding of physiotherapy, Sophie’s role involves not only treating acute injuries and chronic conditions but also focusing on injury prevention, mobility enhancement, and post-injury recovery. Her expertise extends to helping athletes and active individuals recover from sports-related injuries, improve strength and flexibility, and optimize their training regimens. Sophie’s patient-centered philosophy involves empowering individuals with education and practical self-management strategies, ensuring lasting results and improved quality of life. Sophie is fluent in French and English, enabling her to effectively communicate and connect with a diverse patient population.

Sophie St-Jean provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
• 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.

Arthritis

• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Supportive physiotherapy care for joint recovery and function after gout flares, focusing on restoring range of motion, reducing inflammation, and providing advice on joint protection and lifestyle factors.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): An inflammatory arthritis that can affect some people with psoriasis (a skin condition), causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes affecting tendons (enthesitis) and ligaments. Can affect small or large joints, often asymmetrically, and sometimes the spine.
• 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.

Common Msk

• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): A broad term for common injuries affecting muscles, tendons (tendinitis/tendinopathy), ligaments (sprains), joint capsules (capsulitis), and bursae (bursitis), leading to pain, inflammation, and functional limitations.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: Common injuries in active individuals, athletes, or resulting from accidents, leading to localized pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the affected muscle (e.g., hamstring, calf, quadriceps, groin, rotator cuff).

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

• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Targeted manual methods performed by your Physiotherapist to release tight or overactive muscles, address fascial restrictions, and alleviate pain arising from soft tissue dysfunction.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Developing control, strength, and endurance in your core musculature for improved functional performance, pain reduction, and prevention of re-injury.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Application of precise, passive movements to joints to decrease stiffness, relieve pain, and facilitate easier, more comfortable movement.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Evidence-based exercise programs designed by your physiotherapist, including instruction and progression, to optimize your recovery and enhance your physical well-being.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.

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

• If feeling unsteady on my feet or experiencing dizziness and balance problems is preventing you from fully enjoying reading a good book for hours without experiencing neck pain or headaches, Sophie offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Patients often come to Sophie feeling defeated by post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving greater ease with dressing, bathing, and other self-care activities and resuming attending your favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Sophie can help you move beyond loss of strength in one of my limbs after an injury. 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 getting back to your regular, consistent gym workouts.

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

Sophie practices at URFI CSSS Jeanne-Mance, situated in a central Montréal neighborhood. This public healthcare facility is conveniently located near local community services and pharmacies, making it easy for patients to access. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring easy reach for those using buses and metro services. 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?

Patients in Quebec can typically see a Physiothérapeute directly without a physician's referral, thanks to the province's policy of direct access. However, it is important to note that some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies before their first appointment to confirm any specific requirements.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Initial assessment appointments generally last between 45 to 60 minutes, allowing for a thorough evaluation and goal discussion. Follow-up sessions are usually shorter, around 30 to 45 minutes, though this can vary based on individual needs, the complexity of the condition, and the treatment plan designed by Sophie.

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. It is recommended to contact your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand your coverage specifics, including your annual maximum, per-visit limits, co-payments, and whether a doctor’s referral is required for reimbursement. If Sophie’s clinic offers direct billing and your plan allows, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You should bring your insurance card and policy details to your first visit. If direct billing isn't available, Sophie will provide an official receipt for you to submit to your insurer.

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

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. However, care received within public hospitals or CLSCs may be covered if meeting specific criteria. It is advisable to verify your eligibility directly with RAMQ and check your private insurance plans for coverage options.

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 autonomy to assess patients, diagnose, and develop 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, modalities, and reporting progress under supervision. Both play essential roles in patient care.

URFI CSSS Jeanne-Mance
3500, Rue Chapleau
Montréal, QC H2K 4N3

Phone: (514) 527-8920

Sophie St-Jean 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.