Physiotherapy

Concussions

A concussion is not always critical, but should always be taken seriously.

Physiotherapy can greatly assist in the assessment and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI).

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image Concussions
What does treating a concussion entail?

Concussion (or mild TBI) is suspected when a blow to the head or body occurs that induces an acceleration of the brain and causes at least one symptom from an established list.

 Many symptoms may appear such as headaches, neck pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy and fatigue, irritability, sadness, anxiety and much more. There is no diagnostic test to establish a concussion, it is more of a functional disturbance than a structural damage to the brain.  Imaging tests (CT, MRI) are done when we want to ensure there is no intracranial bleeding.

 

What happens during an appointment?

If you suspect you have suffered a concussion, it is important to rest and make an appointment with your health care professional who has expertise in concussions (doctor, physiotherapist, athletic therapist, other). 

During a physiotherapy evaluation, the therapist ensures that the client does not present any condition requiring an emergency medical consultation. He evaluates and treats, among other things, the neck and vestibulo-oculo-motor abilities. The physiotherapist can establish a protocol with recovery phases specific to each activity whether it is school, work or return to sport. With the help of manual therapy and the prescription of exercises (cervical, respiratory, cardiovascular, visual, etc.), physiotherapy optimizes the recovery from a concussion.

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  • The cumulative effect of multiple concussions

    Proper recovery from each concussion is the best way to avoid the adverse effects of multiple concussions. A person becomes more vulnerable to subsequent concussions and may experience more severe or persistent symptoms and a longer recovery time.
  • The importance of a « baseline » for athletes

    The pre-season evaluation, also called "baseline", is a set of objective tests that assess a variety of dimensions (history, memory, strength, speed, etc.), which together can be used to re-evaluate the complete rehabilitation of the brain before a safe return to sport. If you run a sports team and would like to offer this preventive service to your players, contact us and we can organize consecutive sessions for the players. 

Interesting facts :

  1. The most recent studies show the sooner people seek help after a concussion, the faster they recover.

  2. It is false to believe that only time will heal a concussion. Consulting an expert remains your best solution to ensure a proper recovery.

  3. The physiotherapist’s role may also be to ensure the health and safety of athletes in sport activities.

Our therapists

  • Maxime Besner
    Maxime Besner
    Founder & Physiotherapist
  • Célia Sutter
    Célia Sutter
    Physiotherapist
  • Marie-Andrée Dufour
    Marie-Andrée Dufour
    Physiotherapist
  • Johanie Dubé
    Johanie Dubé
    Physiotherapist
Maxime Besner

Maxime Besner

Founder & Physiotherapist
Expertises : Postural Analysis with Biotonix, Physiotherapy for Athletes, Physiotherapy for Golf, Shockwave Therapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Concussions, Physiotherapy for the jaw, Physiotherapy
Native of the area, Maxime is the owner of the clinic and founder of Ekinox with his partner Aditi Kapoor. He graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2006 and became co-owner of the clinic in 2008. After more than 15 years as a co-owner of 4 clinics in a renowned physiotherapy franchise, and following his training with the Leadership Institute, Maxime decided to take flight and proudly launch his new identity by focusing solely on the Vaudreuil-Dorion clinic.

Maxime's reputation is well established when it comes to jaws, headaches, migraines, concussions and other neck, face and head disorders. An expert in the field, he teaches health professionals about jaw disorders and works with the majority of dentists in the west of Montreal. He is compassionate, treats his clients as a whole and does not hesitate to work with other professionals to optimize his clients' results.

Involved with sports teams since his graduation, Maxime has recently been working mainly with elite soccer players, the Quebec Freestyle Ski Team (moguls) and with local schools (Cité-des-Jeunes and the sport-études program at Chêne-Bleu).

Father of 3 children and self-described as a passionate, Maxime plays several instruments. Mainly mastering the guitar and the piano, he also plays percussion, ukulele and recently started playing the cello. Playing music is the best way for him to take a break and, as he says himself, “it helps stop the 8 hamsters running around in his head”. Camping and the outdoors are other hobbies that Maxime values as a way to take care of his mental health.

For his physical health, Maxime likes to ride his bike to work. He plays soccer, tennis, golf and also enjoys water sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding.
Célia Sutter

Célia Sutter

Physiotherapist
Expertises : Physiotherapy for Athletes, Physiotherapy Dry Needle Puncture, Concussions, Physiotherapy
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Célia Sutter graduated from Université de Montréal with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2015. She found her passion by working clinic hours as well as on the sports field. This all started with the Université de Montréal Les Carabins women’s soccer team and continued more locally with Gymini, Chêne-Bleu High School (hockey and football) as well as FC Trois-Lacs AAA soccer team.

Célia always ensure to keep her Sports First Responder training up to date to be able to work on the field but also completed her levels 1 and 2 in manual therapy with the Association québécoise de physiothérapie manuelle orthopédique (AQPMO). Since October 2019, Célia has developed a new interest in the dry needling approach (PPAS - Puncture Physiothérapique avec Aiguilles Sèches). This technique brings her new challenges at the clinic and a wonderful new tool to help her patients.

In March 2021 Célia participated in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. She is giving 1-2 days a week to help move things along so that we can all find a ‘back to normal’ lifestyle as fast as possible. She looks forward to the time when we can start traveling again!

To enjoy life to the fullest and help to unwind in her freetime, Célia enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities such as soccer, yoga, slacklining, running, biking, kayaking, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, skating, camping and hiking! Most recently, Célia has also found a passion in her new garden. Time will tell if this will bring fruit!
Marie-Andrée Dufour

Marie-Andrée Dufour

Physiotherapist
Expertises : Physiotherapy for Athletes, Running Physiotherapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Concussions, Physiotherapy
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Marie-Andrée obtained her master's degree in physiotherapy from the University of Sherbrooke in 2019 with foundational training in radiology and peripheral manipulation. Upon finishing her degree, she joined the team. Having completed her first sports responder course, she enjoys being involved in various sporting events as well as with the schools in the area, namely the Cité-des-Jeunes and the Sport-études program at Chêne-Bleu. The combination of working on the field and clinic brings a certain balance to Marie-Andrée's practice!

In order to deepen her skills in physiotherapy, she has completed a course on concussion management and has developed an expertise for vestibular conditions. She has also taken several other courses including the McKenzie Part A approach for lower back problems as well as the Level 1.0 running analysis. She plans to continue developing her expertise in the coming years with continuing education in manual therapy.

For her mental health, she enjoys traveling to discover the history and different cultures of the world that surround us. Her goal would be to visit all the continents once in her life! For her physical health, Marie-Andrée is very passionate about sports, she regularly plays soccer and hikes, but she also enjoys all outdoor sports such as camping, kayaking, paddle boarding, cycling and running!
Johanie Dubé

Johanie Dubé

Physiotherapist
Expertises : Perineal and pelvic rehabilitation, Concussions, Physiotherapy
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Upon completing her Master’s degree in physiotherapy from the University of Sherbrooke in 2019, Johanie joined the Vaudreuil team as a physiotherapist. Always wanting to give her best, she continued to improve herself by participating in various continuing education courses. She has completed level 1 in manual therapy with the Association québécoise de physiothérapie en musculosquelettique avancé (AQPMA) as well as the basic course for urinary incontinence in women with Uro-Santé. As a new mother, her approach is one of respect and understanding for her clients.

When it comes to taking care of herself, Johanie loves to do various outdoor activities depending on the season. She enjoys cycling, hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking, etc. Being in nature is a way for her to reconnect with herself. Family is also very important to her and allows her to keep her balance with her mental health. Nothing brings a smile to her face like a good meal surrounded by the people she loves.