Physiotherapy

Neurological Impairment

What is the Composition of the Neurological System?

The central nervous system is composed of the brain (cerebrum, brainstem, cerebellum) and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of nerve roots and peripheral sensory and motor nerves originating from the spinal cord. Conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system have been addressed in the orthopedic physiotherapy section, as the roots and peripheral nerves are closely related to the musculoskeletal structures of the body.


Who Can Benefit from This Type of Physiotherapy?

Regarding the central nervous system, it can be affected by several conditions. These include strokes (CVA) and traumatic brain injuries, which can cause varying physical, cognitive, and psycho-affective deficits depending on the affected areas of the brain.

Spinal cord injuries cause varying motor and sensory deficits depending on the level of the spinal cord affected. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and several other degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophies and other neuromuscular diseases are other central nervous system conditions that may require physiotherapy treatments.


How Can Physiotherapy Help?

These central neurological impairments require rehabilitation aimed at recovering maximum function, including physical function. Physiotherapy typically begins in hospital and rehabilitation centers. Subsequently, depending on the functional level achieved and remaining goals, physiotherapy treatments can continue in private clinics to maintain or improve physical function and consequently quality of life.

Other central nervous system conditions have significant impacts on physical function. Physiotherapy aims to address the various physical sequelae caused by the disease to minimize them as much as possible and limit their impact on physical function, autonomy, and quality of life.


Here is an explanatory video from the OPPQ website about the role of physiotherapy after a traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Video oppq.qc

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Problems

Who Is Cardiovascular and Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy For?

Cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary physiotherapy is intended for people with conditions affecting the lungs, heart, and vascular system, such as:

  • Heart failure and other heart diseases
  • COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (Emphysema and chronic bronchitis)
  • Asthma
  • Reconditioning after heart or lung surgery
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Deconditioning
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Pulmonary fibrosis

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapy will help people with heart conditions, with or without a history of surgery, to safely and gradually resume their daily and leisure activities. Regarding lung conditions, the physiotherapist can help reduce symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, dyspnea, fatigue, and secretion accumulation through various techniques and teachings. This will help reduce the impact of these symptoms on physical function and quality of life.


Here is an explanatory video from the OPPQ website about the role of cardiopulmonary physiotherapy.
Video oppq.qc

Amputee Clients

Amputation

Amputation of part or all of a lower or upper limb causes physical and psychological deficits. These deficits lead to varying functional limitations depending on the site and level of amputation.


How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Rehabilitation begins in an intensive functional rehabilitation center. Amputees are followed by a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists and occupational therapists who aim to maximize functional independence for a safe return home (previous or new living environment).

During rehabilitation, a team decision will be made regarding the possibility of using a prosthesis or not. In either case, the team will aim to optimize independence and improve the quality of life for the amputee. When the patient is fitted with a lower limb prosthesis, they learn in rehabilitation to master locomotor activities such as walking, climbing and descending stairs, stepping over obstacles, picking up an object from the ground, climbing and descending slopes, etc., first without the prosthesis and then with it. When it comes to upper limb prosthetics, the patient learns to master daily activities involving the upper limbs such as cooking, dressing, eating, etc., first without the prosthesis and then with it. Once a level of functional independence allowing a safe return home is achieved, the patient is discharged from intensive functional rehabilitation.

The patient can continue their rehabilitation in outpatient follow-up (public or private) if they wish to achieve goals not reached in intensive rehabilitation or set new goals to achieve a higher level of function. For example, a patient may want to resume certain sports activities or return to work and need follow-up in physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy to achieve this. The physiotherapist will evaluate the patient's condition to identify physical deficits and limitations that hinder achieving the determined goals to establish an adapted treatment plan. The amputee may also seek physiotherapy due to persistent pain.

Running Evaluation

Surprisingly, humans have evolved to run after our prey and escape dangers. However, the modern era has sometimes caused us to forget the proper method.

If you are considering starting this extraordinary sport or if you experience pain while running, we will gladly guide you. It is important, if you have never run or it has been a while, to resume gradually and correctly to ensure avoiding any risk of injury.

Our professionals have undergone specific training to be able to evaluate your running pattern. Whether it's to help you start or resume jogging or to identify possible muscle imbalances that may cause discomfort or pain, we are here for you.

Jaw

What is the Temporomandibular Joint and the Origin of Jaw Pain?

The jaw joint is easily weakened due to its overuse in daily activities (talking, eating). It is very susceptible to muscle imbalances, painful clicking, limited opening, or blockage, which can lead to fatigue while chewing and chronic pain. Difficult dental extractions and the use of braces can also cause pain. Additionally, facial burning sensations can stem from a blockage of this joint (facial neuralgia).

The jaw has a meniscus between its articular surfaces, which acts as a cushion to absorb shocks. Comprised of several small ligaments and muscles, tensions and/or muscle weaknesses can be found. Due to its physiology, this joint can become easily unstable as it allows for a lot of movement in space.


How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapy can be beneficial for any issue with this joint. We have techniques for muscle and joint release, such as stretches, massage techniques, sanding, and mobilizations. Then, we can use strengthening and flexibility techniques to rebalance everything.

Oncology

People who survive cancer often experience physical symptoms related to the cancer itself and the treatments received. For example, many survivors will have symptoms of fatigue, pain, stress, and anxiety, as well as other issues such as lymphedema*, which is common after breast cancer, and reduced joint ranges. These physical function issues can significantly affect daily activity levels and quality of life.


What is Lymphedema?

Lymph, also called lymphatic fluid, is a liquid that circulates in the human body through channels called lymphatic vessels. This fluid transports nutrients, antibodies, viruses, bacteria, and foreign elements present in our body to the lymph nodes, which drain the fluid. Lymph nodes are located in several areas of our body, including the armpit, neck, pelvis, and groin.

When lymph nodes are destroyed in a region of the body, lymphatic fluid accumulates there. This accumulation causes swelling and an increased risk of infection, given the role of the lymphatic system in immune function and the skin's fragility associated with swelling.


What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lymphedema?

  • Swelling of the affected area
  • Pain and a feeling of tightness
  • Reduced mobility or stiffness in the affected area
  • Decreased skin flexibility

Cancer and associated treatments can destroy lymph nodes. For example, the lymph nodes in the armpit are affected by radiation therapy and surgical interventions related to breast cancer, and they can also be affected by metastases themselves.


How Can Physiotherapy Help?

The physiotherapist will help you improve your physical function and quality of life through their expertise in exercises, mobility, lymphatic drainage, and managing edema, fatigue, and pain.

There are several treatments that can address lymphedema, including lymphatic drainage, which can be performed by a physiotherapy professional. They can also help reduce the impacts of lymphedema, such as reduced mobility, flexibility, and pain.

Unmanaged lymphedema can lead to complications such as infections, wounds, significant functional limitations, a substantial psychological impact, and increased swelling of the affected area. For example, with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer, the upper limb could become up to three times larger in volume!

Adult Orthopedics

What is Adult Orthopedic Physiotherapy?

Adult orthopedic physiotherapy involves the treatment of all conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. It is not uncommon for pain or other symptoms to actually stem from joint issues (such as ligament sprains, dislocations and subluxations, capsulitis, tenosynovitis, and synovitis), muscle issues (such as contusions, tears, strains, tendinitis, poor control, tensions), or nerve issues (such as compressions, lack of mobility or flexibility of a root, peripheral nerve, or their surrounding tissues). Everything in the human body is interconnected! This is why the physiotherapist will conduct a thorough analysis of your musculoskeletal and nervous system to find the origin of your symptoms.


Who Can Benefit from Adult Orthopedic Physiotherapy?

We treat people who have had a work accident (compensated by CNESST) or a road accident (compensated by SAAQ), as well as those with direct access or medical referral who have had a sports injury, orthopedic surgery, or other injury and trauma (with or without insurance).

Here are some videos from the OPPQ website that explain the role of physiotherapy in treating certain conditions:

Osteoarthritis Joint Injuries Muscle Injuries Chronic Pain Back Pain oppq.qc

Here are some examples of common conditions by body region that can be treated with physiotherapy (there are many other reasons for consultation that your physiotherapist can help with):

  • Thoracic or lumbar sprain
  • Herniated discs
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Osteoarthritis (thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral)
  • Facet syndrome
  • Foraminal stenosis
  • Muscle spasms
  • Lumbosciatica or sciatic nerve irritation causing pain and other symptoms in the lower limbs
  • Leg length discrepancies and other postural issues
  • Muscle imbalances
  • Scoliosis
  • Sports-related issues
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • And more...
  • Postural issues
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Arnold neuralgia
  • Cervical hernias
  • Cervicobrachial pain or radiation of pain and other symptoms in the upper limbs due to cervical irritation
  • Muscle tension
  • Joint stiffness (which can cause difficulty looking back to check blind spots while driving)
  • Arthritis or osteoarthritis-related issues
  • Sports-related issues
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • And more...
  • Tendinitis or tendon tears (e.g., rotator cuff and biceps brachii)
  • Calcified tendinitis or bursitis
  • Capsulitis
  • Post-surgery or non-surgery subluxations and dislocations of the shoulder with pain and instability sequelae
  • Acromioclavicular sprain
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • Labral tears
  • Muscle imbalances
  • Arthritis or osteoarthritis
  • Sports-related pain
  • And more...
  • Epicondylitis
  • Epithrocleitis
  • Myositis ossificans
  • Tears or tendinitis
  • Olecranon bursitis
  • Elbow subluxations or dislocations
  • Muscle tension
  • Arthritis or osteoarthritis
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • Sports-related pain
  • And more...
  • Tendinitis, including De Quervain's tendinitis
  • Tenosynovitis
  • Trigger fingers
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sprains of the wrist, hand, and fingers
  • Arthritis or osteoarthritis
  • Subluxations and dislocations of the wrist, hand, and finger joints
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • And more...
  • Trochanteric bursitis
  • Labral tears
  • Tendinitis, including adductor tendinitis
  • Groin pain
  • Hip or pelvic osteoarthritis (including sacroiliac joints)
  • Iliotibial band syndrome
  • Muscle tension
  • Strains
  • Hip or pelvic subluxations, dislocations, and instabilities (including sacroiliac joints)
  • Joint and/or capsular stiffness
  • Paresthetic neuralgia (femoral cutaneous nerve involvement)
  • Sports-related pain
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • Contusions
  • And more...
  • Sprains or ligament tears (with or without surgery) and instabilities (including anterior or posterior cruciate ligament, external or internal collateral ligament)
  • Meniscal tears
  • Patellofemoral syndrome or chondromalacia patellae
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Baker's cysts
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease
  • Periostitis
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Tendinitis (e.g., patellar, quadriceps, goosefoot tendons)
  • Contusions
  • Sports-related pain
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • And more...
  • Sprains or ligament tears and instabilities
  • Tendinitis (e.g., Achilles tendon)
  • Tendon tears with or without surgery (e.g., Achilles tendon)
  • Fallen arch (flat foot) or high arch
  • Morton's neuroma
  • Hallux valgus
  • Heel spur
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Arthritis or osteoarthritis
  • Sports-related pain
  • Post-hospitalization fracture follow-up
  • And more...

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

First, an evaluation is conducted. The evaluation consists of identifying your abilities and limitations in daily life, work, or recreational and sports activities. Treatments aim to address the identified issues. Various modalities can be used, such as manual techniques, teaching and practicing strengthening, stretching, and motor control exercises, movement, posture, or sports gesture re-education, electrotherapy, and thermotherapy (ice or heat).

Pediatrics

What is Pediatric Physiotherapy?

Sometimes at birth, your child's head may be misshapen. This can happen in the womb or due to the use of tools during delivery. In the following months, your child might adopt a preferred position for feeding, in the car seat, or for sleeping, which can flatten the head. It is important to correct these deformities before it is too late, as long-term flattening can cause deformation of the baby's skull at the pressure region, and bulging of the forehead on the same side can occur due to counter-pressure. Flattening can also occur on both sides of the posterior part of the skull when the baby does not exhibit a strong preference for head inclination and rotation.

No matter the age, your child may exhibit motor deficits or issues with muscle tone. The development of your child's abilities is expected to occur within a timeframe determined by experts in reference books. When it takes too long or you notice that your child is having difficulty with tasks, physiotherapy is a good way to help your child catch up.

These are the two main reasons, but any musculoskeletal or neurological concern is a reason to seek follow-up.


Reasons for Consultation

  • Atypical walking (walking on tiptoes, walking with feet turned inward)
  • Torticollis/plagiocephaly (flattening of the skull)
  • Motor development delay or disorder
  • Scoliosis
  • Prematurity (sometimes impacting the child's motor development)
  • Hypotonia (floppy baby)/ hypertonia (stiff baby)
  • Neurological conditions (CP/cerebral palsy, stroke, etc.) and neuromuscular diseases that can be addressed with physiotherapy as a complement to rehabilitation care

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

The role of the pediatric physiotherapist is to evaluate your child to identify elements that could affect their motor development (acquisition of motor skills such as turning, sitting, crawling, walking on all fours, standing, walking, etc.) as well as any deficits in muscles, bones, and joints. The physiotherapist will then proceed with treating your child, which will include several appropriate exercise demonstrations and advice tailored to your child's needs that you can replicate at home. Evaluations and treatments are always adapted to provide a stimulating and fun environment for your child, and are carried out gently and without pain.


Here is an explanatory video from the OPPQ website regarding pediatric physiotherapy
Video oppq.qc

Physiotherapy

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a frontline healthcare discipline that addresses deficiencies and disabilities in physical function related to the neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardio-respiratory systems. Physiotherapy involves both manual treatments and exercises tailored to your condition to achieve healing.


Who is physiotherapy for?

Physiotherapy is for everyone from 0 to 99 years old who has been injured at home, at work, following a road accident, before or after childbirth or surgery, or for taking care of your newborn. Physiotherapy can also be used for prevention.


What are the reasons to consult in physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a broad discipline. Here are the main categories of conditions/patients that Physiomédic's physiotherapists and physical rehabilitation therapists can intervene with:

  • Peripheral and central neurological conditions (including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, etc.)
  • Amputee patients (recovering optimal function, persistent pain, etc.)
  • CNESST – work accident
  • Running evaluation
  • Jaw (including clicking, pain, difficulty chewing, etc.)
  • Oncology (treatment to alleviate symptoms of treatments)
  • Adult orthopedics (including all joint problems like tendinitis, low back pain, etc.)
  • Pediatrics (including torticollis, plagiocephaly, motor delay, etc.)
  • Cardiac and respiratory problems (including deconditioning, COPD, heart failure, etc.)
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation (including pre and post-partum follow-up, leakage, pain, etc.)
  • SAAQ – road accident
  • Vestibular - Vertigo and dizziness

How does a physiotherapy session work?

The physiotherapist first evaluates the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardio-respiratory systems to find the deficiencies and disabilities that contribute to limiting your function (daily activities, domestic activities, leisure, sports, work). They then determine a treatment plan adapted to your condition and finally carry out the necessary interventions to allow you to regain optimal functional performance.

To achieve their ultimate goal of allowing you to regain optimal functional performance, physiotherapy professionals can use a wide variety of modalities such as: manual techniques, teaching and practicing strengthening, stretching, and motor control exercises, movement re-education, posture or sports gesture re-education, electrotherapy, and thermotherapy (ice or heat).

We offer you the highest quality of treatment. Regardless of the type of clientele, we offer treatments in private closed rooms and our superb gyms. You have quality time with your therapist since most treatments are done individually. Additionally, for private clients, the physiotherapist can also refer you to a physiotherapy technologist, after evaluating you, to carry out the treatments. Supervision will continue to be provided by the physiotherapist. Supervision involves monitoring the evolution of the file, which does not necessarily include participation in the treatment provided.

Physiotherapists and physiotherapy technologists maintain a high level of competence by constantly improving themselves through continuing education and updating their knowledge based on evidence-based data.


What is the difference between physiotherapists and physiotherapy technologists?

There are indeed two physiotherapy professionals recognized by the Quebec professional system: the physiotherapist and the physiotherapy technologist. They must be members of the Quebec Order of Physiotherapists (OPPQ) to hold their respective titles and practice the profession. A Master's degree in Science in Physiotherapy is required to hold the title of physiotherapist (PHT), and a college diploma in Physiotherapy Technique is required to be a physiotherapy technologist (T.Phys.).

CNESST – Work Injury

High-Quality Care

You want to recover quickly, be able to sleep without being woken up by pain, and resume your activities and work without being overwhelmed by aches. Our staff is here to help you. Always very attentive to your injuries, our therapists take the time to treat you properly and understand you well.

You don't have to pay anything for your treatments. Your rehabilitation is covered by the CNESST.


Steps to Start Treatment

  • Step 1: Following a work accident, you must fill out the Worker’s Claim (RTR) either online in your file on the CNESST website, by downloading and printing the document, or at the clinic during your first appointment. Here is the link for the form cnesst.gouv.qc.ca
    If you already have your file number, please have it with you for your first appointment.
  • Step 2: Consult a doctor to obtain a medical prescription for the injured area(s) and the necessary treatments (physiotherapy).
  • Step 3: Once you have these documents, contact us to schedule an evaluation appointment to start your rehabilitation.

What Happens During a Session?

First, an individual evaluation is conducted. Many questions will be asked about the origin of the injury, your abilities and disabilities in daily life, and at work.

Then, follow-up appointments will be scheduled at a frequency of two to three times per week based on the evaluation. These follow-ups can be done individually or in groups.

During these sessions, various modalities can be used, such as manual techniques, teaching and practicing strengthening, stretching, and motor control exercises, movement, posture, or sports gesture re-education, electrotherapy, and thermotherapy (ice or heat).


What You May Be Entitled to as an Employee During Your Recovery

  1. Income Replacement Benefit
    • CNESST provides income replacement benefits to workers who are unable to perform their job due to an occupational injury.
    • It corresponds to 90% of the worker’s net income.
    • It is paid every 2 weeks.
  2. Reimbursement for Damaged Clothing
    • CNESST reimburses workers for the costs they incurred for clothing damaged due to a work accident or by an orthosis or prosthesis required due to an occupational injury, up to the maximum amounts provided. The reimbursement includes the costs of:
      • Cleaning
      • Repair
      • Replacement of damaged clothing
  3. Reimbursement for Damaged Orthoses or Prostheses
    • CNESST reimburses workers for the costs they incurred for the repair or replacement of their orthosis or prosthesis damaged unintentionally by an unforeseen and sudden event occurring at work.
  4. Reimbursement for Medical Assistance
    • Medical assistance covers:
      • Services of health professionals (such as doctors, specialized nurse practitioners, pharmacists, optometrists, and dentists)
      • Care or treatments provided by a public health facility (such as hospitals, CLSCs, CHSLDs, and rehabilitation centers)
      • Medications and other pharmaceutical products
      • Orthoses and prostheses
      • Care, treatments, assistive devices, and expenses determined by CNESST by regulation
  5. Release for Treatment

    Your employer is required to release you so you can access your treatments. Usually, a three-hour delay is authorized without penalty.

  6. Reimbursement for Travel and Stay Expenses
    • CNESST reimburses workers who have suffered an occupational injury for travel, meal, and lodging expenses incurred to:
      • Receive care
      • Undergo medical examinations
      • Participate in an activity as part of a rehabilitation measure or individualized rehabilitation plan
  7. Reimbursement for Routine Home Maintenance Expenses
    • Reimbursement for routine home maintenance expenses may be granted to a worker before consolidation if:
      • CNESST is certain that the worker has or will have a permanent severe impairment to their physical integrity
      • The needs for which the worker is requesting reimbursement will be permanent (e.g., reimbursement request following an amputation)
      • The worker is unable to perform routine home maintenance tasks that they would normally do if it weren’t for the injury, based on available information about their health condition

      Examples of maintenance tasks: mowing the lawn, painting, deep cleaning, snow removal

  8. Allowance for Personal Home Assistance

    Examples of personal home assistance: personal hygiene, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry

For reimbursement requests, visit your file on the CNESST website (cnesst.gouv.qc.ca) or consult your case agent!

Worker's Rights

Workplace Accidents and Occupational Diseases Act
a-3.001 - Workplace Accidents and Occupational Diseases Act (gouv.qc.ca)

Article 61: When a worker who has suffered an occupational injury returns to work, their employer must pay them their net salary for each day or part of a day the worker must be absent from work to receive care or undergo medical examinations related to their injury or to perform an activity as part of their individualized rehabilitation plan.

The Commission reimburses the employer, upon request, for the salary paid under the first paragraph, except when the worker was absent from work to undergo a medical examination required by the employer.

SAAQ (Road Accident)

Road Accident Victims, We Are Here for You!

Your health recovery is our priority, let us help you. We open your file for physiotherapy at the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec to save you the hassle.

You don't have to pay anything for your treatments related to your rehabilitation through SAAQ services.

However, if you want longer treatments or want to start before SAAQ authorization, you can pay the fees upfront and get reimbursed later.

Here are the steps to start your physiotherapy treatments covered by SAAQ without paying any fees:

  • Step 1: After a road accident, you must report the accident online at the following address SAAQ or contact SAAQ at 1-888-810-2525. Following this declaration, you will receive a claim number that you must keep for all care and communication with SAAQ regarding your file.
  • Step 2: Consult a doctor to obtain a medical prescription for physiotherapy treatments. The injured area(s) must be noted on this prescription as these are the only areas that will be treated.
  • Step 3: A treatment authorization request must be made to SAAQ with your prescription and claim number. Visit us at the clinic to complete the necessary documents for the SAAQ request. Once authorized, we will contact you to schedule the evaluation appointment. The request can take several days/weeks for SAAQ agents to make a decision regarding your file.

If you do not want to wait, you can pay the fees and start treatments without waiting, then get reimbursed for part of the fees by SAAQ. You can also choose to extend the treatments in terms of session length by paying the difference. You can make a claim to your private insurance or your car insurance if you have the FAQ34 clause.


How Do the Treatments Work?

Generally, when we receive authorization, twenty-one treatments are authorized. The first appointment is the evaluation. The physiotherapist will ask questions about the accident, but also about your abilities and disabilities in performing daily tasks such as dressing, dishwashing, cleaning, cooking, as well as driving, sports, and work. Treatments will then begin at a frequency of two or three times per week. When we reach the fifteenth treatment, your condition will be re-evaluated, and a request for additional treatments will be made if needed. If SAAQ authorizes the treatments, we can continue beyond the twenty-first treatment. However, if they refuse, you will have to decide whether to continue the treatments, but you will have to pay the full fees.

During treatments, various modalities can be used such as manual techniques, teaching and practicing strengthening, stretching, and motor control exercises, movement re-education, posture or sports gesture re-education, electrotherapy, and thermotherapy (ice or heat).


What You May Be Entitled to During Your Recovery

Benefits Amounts
Income Replacement Benefit If your doctor has put you on sick leave following the accident, you could be entitled to 90% of the net income, calculated based on a gross annual income that cannot exceed $90,500 until the age of 65. The benefit decreases thereafter. (See on the SAAQ website)
Childcare Expenses Benefit Weekly amounts: • $505 for 1 person • $567 for 2 people • $625 for 3 people • $689 for 4 people or more
Lump Sum for Students • $6,052 per missed school year at the primary level • $11,107 per missed school year at the secondary level • $11,107 per missed post-secondary session, for a maximum of $22,212 per year
Income Replacement Benefit – After the Expected End of Studies Date Students can receive a benefit based on an amount of $55,042, which corresponds to the average salary of Quebec workers
Lump Sum for Permanent Impairments • Maximum of $283,225
Injury Benefit • Maximum of $1,619

For more information, visit the SAAQ website or contact them at 1-888-810-2525


Types of Expenses

Types of Expenses Amounts
Travel for Treatment or Follow-Up • Public transport: actual expenses • Personal vehicle: – $0.590/km when the person's health condition does not allow the use of public transport, when public transport does not cover the required route, or when it is more economical to use a personal vehicle than public transport – $0.170/km in other cases • Paid transport (taxi or others): actual expenses when the person's health condition does not allow the use of public transport, when public transport does not cover the required route, or when it is more economical to use paid transport than public transport
Meals • Maximum of $13.75 for breakfast • Maximum of $18.90 for lunch • Maximum of $28.50 for dinner
Childcare Expenses Weekly maximums: • $351 for 1 person • $383 for 2 people • $437 for 3 or more people
Personal Home Assistance • Maximum of $1,011 per week • Maximum of $1,598 per week for a person whose health condition requires continuous care or whose needs assessment exceeds that giving entitlement to the $1,011 amount
Availability Allowance • Maximum of $37 for availability of 4 hours or less • Maximum of $75 for availability of more than 4 hours
Clothing • Maximum of $426 for cleaning, repairing, or replacing clothing • Maximum of $1,065 for leather clothing or a protective helmet worn during a motorcycle accident
Reports Filled by a Health Professional Reports filled by a doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner (NP) • Maximum of $32 for an Initial Report • Maximum of $85 for an Evaluation Report • Maximum of $85 for a Progress Report • Maximum of $80 for a Sequelae Report • Maximum of $32 when the report is written other than on a form provided by the Corporation Report prepared by a health professional other than a doctor or NP • Maximum of $32
Professional Fees • Maximum per prescribed treatment: $59 Physiotherapy Chiropractic • Maximum per prescribed treatment: $43 Acupuncture • Maximum per prescribed treatment: $58 Psychology • Maximum per treatment hour: $105 Other types of professional fees • Contact the Customer Relations Center
Written Counter-Expertise by a Health Professional Counter-expertise submitted by an injured person and allowing their request to be accepted • Maximum of $1,704 for an examination by a health professional • Maximum of $1,704 per health professional, up to $5,112 following a joint examination by more than one health professional
Replacement of Labor in a Family Business • Weekly maximum of $1,009 with supporting documents during the first 180 days
Medications • Automated reimbursement at the pharmacy or • Reimbursement determined upon presentation of invoices or receipts to the Corporation
Prescribed Prostheses, Orthoses • Reimbursement determined upon presentation of invoices or receipts, according to the maximum provided by regulation Ocular prosthesis • Maximum of $2,130 Hair prosthesis • Maximum of $2,130 Prescribed glasses • Maximum of $213 for frames • Actual cost for lenses Prescribed contact lenses • Maximum of $117 • Possibility of a maximum reimbursement of $320, under certain conditions Other prostheses and orthoses • According to conditions provided by regulation Subject to what is covered by the Quebec Health Insurance Board
Wheelchairs • Reimbursable according to conditions and maximum amounts provided by regulation. Subject to what is covered by the Quebec Health Insurance Board
Loss of Salary • Maximum of $170 per day for a temporary absence from work to receive medical or paramedical care or to undergo, at the Corporation's request, an examination by a health professional
Dental Care Maximums provided in the following documents: • Fees paid to dentists for indemnification by the Corporation • Fees paid to dental specialists for indemnification by the Corporation • Fees paid to denturists for indemnification by the Corporation These documents are accessible on the Corporation's website.

For more information, visit the SAAQ website or contact your agent at 1-888-810-2525


Public Automobile Insurance Plan

3-year deadline to file a claim
Vehicle adaptation


ELIGIBILITY

If you have had a road accident that left you with a permanent physical disability – and you can no longer get in or out of a vehicle or drive it safely – you may have your vehicle adapted to your situation and be reimbursed for certain expenses.


Conditions for Vehicle Adaptation

  • You can no longer get in, out of, or drive a vehicle safely.
  • The vehicle adaptation is recommended by an occupational therapist who is a member of the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec.

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles found in both men and women. These muscles are arranged like a hammock between the pubic bone and the coccyx. They are therefore located around the urethra and anus and also surround the vagina in women.

The pelvic floor plays several important roles:

  • Control of urine, stool, and gas
  • Sexual function
  • Support for the organs and viscera of the pelvis (bladder, uterus, rectum, urethra)
  • Stabilization

Thus, like all other muscles in our body, the pelvic floor muscles can suffer from lesions and lose strength (contract strongly), endurance (contract for a long time), and coordination (contract quickly), as well as develop tensions and spasms for several reasons.


What causes pelvic floor problems?

Among the factors that can cause changes in the function of the pelvic muscles, we find several effects related to aging, pregnancy, childbirth, constipation, repeated impact sports and activities and/or handling heavy loads with poor stabilization, postural alterations, etc. An alteration in pelvic floor function can cause several problems that can be very disabling daily.

Coughing, laughing, sneezing, pregnancy, and physical exertion increase pressure in the abdomen, compressing the organs and viscera and causing them to descend. If the pelvic floor muscles do not contract strongly and/or long enough and/or quickly during these times, there can be urinary, fecal, or gas leaks (affecting the control role of urine, stool, and gas), lower back and sacral pain (affecting the stabilization function), and descent (prolapse) of the pelvic organs and viscera (affecting the support function). It should be noted that an organ prolapse can also cause symptoms such as a sensation of vaginal heaviness or pressure. Dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can also make controlling urgent urges difficult, whether it's the urge to urinate or defecate.

When spasms or tensions develop in the pelvic floor muscles, it becomes much more difficult to relax them, but also to contract them effectively. In addition to the previous problems, tensions or spasms of the pelvic floor muscles can cause pain during sexual intercourse and tampon insertion, difficulty evacuating stools or constipation, difficulty urinating, anal pain, as well as pain in the coccyx and pelvis. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can also treat scar-related pain.


How can physiotherapy help?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help reduce or correct the previously mentioned symptoms. Following the evaluation, the physiotherapist will develop a treatment plan. Treatments involve, among other things, muscle strengthening, muscle relaxation, scar release, and advice.


Here is an explanatory video from the OPPQ website regarding physiotherapy in pelvic floor rehabilitation:
Video oppq.qc

Vestibular System – Dizziness and Vertigo

What is the vestibular system?

Have you ever felt like you were moving backward in a car while you were stationary, and a bus accelerated next to you? It's a strange sensation, isn't it? Well, this unpleasant feeling can be caused by a disagreement between your vestibular system and your eyes! Indeed, your eyes have the impression that you are moving backward, while your vestibular system, which detects the movements of your head, does not perceive any movement. It's then that you realize it's the bus moving forward and not you going backward. Phew! Before your brain processes it all, you had the time to imagine an accident with the car behind you!

Let's return to the role of the vestibular system. It is a small system located in the inner ear, well-protected and hidden within a bony structure of the temporal bone shaped like a rock. This system is so important that your body has put it in a protective safe!


What are the symptoms of a problem with the vestibular system?

If the vestibular system is not functioning properly, you may experience dizziness, loss of balance, hearing loss, nausea, blurred vision, or a combination of these symptoms! It is very possible that all of this may cause you anxiety, and you are perfectly normal.


What causes vestibular system problems?

Sometimes, due to a fall or an impact (for example, during a car accident), your vestibular system can become deregulated. You may then present symptoms such as dizziness, which are often related to the position of your head. For example, you may feel symptoms especially when you turn your head quickly and/or look up.

It is also possible that your vestibular system has a "cold"! In this case, it is called labyrinthitis. This pathology also causes dizziness, but physiotherapy will not help... You will rather need medication to get better... In this case, head movements will not really be linked to the intensity of your discomfort. However, if symptoms persist after taking medication, you can make an appointment with us so that we can provide you with further relief.

On the other hand, it is possible that the problem lies at the central level, that is, in the brain. Many causes are possible: cancer, stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain aneurysm... If any of these pathologies affect the central nuclei responsible for the vestibular system, we can help you improve your abilities.

Finally, the vestibular system is also responsible for motion sickness. Indeed, "seasickness" or "airsickness" or car nausea is often caused by a lack of training of this system (fragility). To improve your situation, during a trip, you could train your vestibular system to become more efficient and less nervous, which will reduce your nausea, headaches, and discomfort.


How can physiotherapy help?

Following the evaluation, the physiotherapist will be able to determine the cause of your symptoms. Neck muscle relaxation techniques may be recommended, but exercises will be your ally! Your vestibular system often needs training to return to normal. We are here to teach you how!


Here is an explanatory video from the OPPQ website regarding the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of dizziness and vertigo:
Video oppq.qc