Virginie Guerard-Bigras – Physiotherapist | Laval, QC

Virginie Guerard-Bigras is a dedicated Physiothérapeute practicing at Centre de médecine sportive de Laval in Laval, QC. Virginie is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with the standards set by l'Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ). She approaches each patient with empathy and a supportive attitude, ensuring that their unique needs and goals are at the forefront of every treatment plan. Virginie’s role involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, helping her patients regain their strength, mobility, and overall well-being.
Virginie specializes in addressing conditions related to muscles, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Her expertise includes managing acute injuries such as sprains and strains, chronic pain, arthritis, and post-operative rehabilitation. She also has a particular focus on sports physiotherapy, working with athletes of all levels—from recreational enthusiasts to elite competitors—to optimize performance and prevent future injuries. Her care is tailored to serve older children (5+), adolescents, adults, and seniors, ensuring comprehensive support across all stages of life.
With a solid educational background in Physiotherapy, Virginie has developed her skills through clinical experience and continuous professional development. She has a special interest in orthopedic and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, along with sports physiotherapy. Her practice philosophy emphasizes a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Virginie believes in empowering her patients through clear education about their conditions and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. She is fluent in English and French, facilitating effective communication with a diverse patient population.

Virginie Guerard-Bigras provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.
• 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.

Arthritis

• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Helping to manage the musculoskeletal aspects of psoriatic disease, working in conjunction with medical management to optimize your physical function and comfort.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A physiotherapy approach to address the unique challenges of AS, aiming to keep you as mobile and active as possible and support your spinal health and overall well-being.
• 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.
• 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.

Sports Injury

• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Injuries like a 'twisted ankle', 'knee ligament injury', or 'shoulder separation' (AC joint sprain) sustained during athletic activity or accidental falls.
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee / Anterior Knee Pain): Dull, aching pain in the front of the knee, often related to issues with the alignment and movement of the patella within the femoral groove.
• Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): Dull or aching pain in the front or inner part of the shin that can become sharp with activity, often felt during or after exercise.
• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Tearing of muscle fibers or the muscle-tendon unit due to overstretching, sudden forceful contraction, or eccentric loading during athletic activity or exertion, commonly known as a 'pulled muscle'.

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

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: A variety of hands-on methods such as therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release style techniques to reduce muscle tension, break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and enhance tissue flexibility.
• Therapeutic & Athletic Taping (e.g., Kinesio, McConnell, Rigid): Application of various supportive and therapeutic taping techniques (e.g., elastic Kinesio tape for proprioception and muscle facilitation, McConnell taping for patellar tracking, rigid athletic tape for joint support) to protect joints, support muscles, reduce pain, manage swelling, or improve movement patterns.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): A form of manual therapy that actively involves you in your treatment, utilizing your body's muscular effort to achieve specific therapeutic effects on restricted joints and shortened soft tissues.
• Orthopedic Bracing & Support Consultation/Fitting: Expert guidance on the appropriate selection, use, and care of braces and supports for various musculoskeletal conditions affecting the knee, ankle, wrist, back, or other joints.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Virginie. 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 Centre de médecine sportive de Laval, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Virginie frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• With Virginie's help, managing recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery to achieve more comfortable and efficient movement when transitioning between positions (e.g., sit to stand) becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like standing for longer periods, for example, while cooking or at an event.
• Virginie believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If trying to stay as mobile and active as possible while living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is hindering your ability to cycling longer distances with your cycling club, a personalized plan focusing on getting back to hiking, running, or cycling pain-free and with renewed vigor can make all the difference.
• Patients often come to Virginie feeling defeated by that persistent ache in my lower back that just won't quit. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving improved ability to lift and carry objects correctly and safely and resuming working at your desk all day without developing back or neck stiffness becomes a realistic and attainable goal.

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

Virginie's practice is located at the Centre de médecine sportive de Laval, a reputable physiotherapy clinic situated in the Laval neighborhood of Laval, QC. The clinic is conveniently accessible, being near the Major North-South Commercial Corridor, making it easy for patients to reach by car or public transportation. The facility is well-equipped and designed to provide a welcoming environment for all patients. It is accessible via the Société de transport de Laval (STL), ensuring convenient transit options. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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 in physiotherapy. They are autonomous healthcare professionals authorized to perform patient assessments, establish a physiotherapy diagnosis, create and modify treatment plans, and apply a wide range of therapeutic interventions. This includes certain restricted activities if they hold the specific attestations (e.g., spinal manipulations, specific needle-based therapies). A Technologue en physiothérapie (Physiotherapy Technologist or Phys. T.) holds a college-level (CEGEP) diploma in physiotherapy technology. They work under the supervision of, or based on a treatment plan established by, a physiotherapist or a physician. Technologists apply prescribed treatment modalities, guide patients through exercises, monitor progress, and adapt interventions within the established plan, but they do not diagnose or independently create treatment plans. Both professions are regulated by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

It's difficult to say exactly how many sessions you'll need without a thorough assessment, as everyone's situation and recovery path is unique. Some acute conditions might resolve in just a few sessions, while more chronic, complex, or significant issues may require a longer period of care to achieve lasting results. Your Physiothérapeute will provide an estimated treatment timeline and plan after your first visit, and this will be revisited as your treatment progresses.

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.

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

In Quebec, physiotherapy services performed in private clinics are generally not covered by RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or use private insurance. Some coverage may be available if the treatment occurs within a hospital setting or through specific programs for certain populations. It is important to verify your individual eligibility with RAMQ and check your private insurance plans, as many offer coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

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, as direct access is permitted. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy before your first appointment to confirm any specific requirements.

Centre de médecine sportive de Laval
4650, Sud Laval (a-440), # 200
Laval, QC H7T 2Z8

Phone: (450) 688-0445

Virginie Guerard-Bigras 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.