FCE and FCD services in Montréal: Optimizing your functional capabilities and well-being

At Physiothérapie Mieux-Être, we offer specialized services in functional capacity evaluation (FCE) and functional capacity development (FCD).

Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a crucial step in assessing your current physical condition and establishing a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Our FCD programs are then designed to help you regain your independence and improve your quality of life through a multidisciplinary approach that includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other complementary therapies.

Our experienced therapists use advanced techniques to relieve pain, improve physical function, reduce limitations, and prevent recurrences. We are committed to supporting you throughout your rehabilitation journey for optimal recovery.

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Functional capacity evaluation

Before beginning our second-line program, we conduct a comprehensive five-hour assessment of your physical condition. This thorough evaluation measures your daily functioning and ability to perform your work. It is more detailed than previous assessments with your occupational therapist and physiotherapist.

The evaluation includes several components:

Administration of multiple questionnaires to assess your situation and the impact of pain on your daily life.
Subjective interview with the occupational therapist and physiotherapist.
Objective tests such as mobility and strength assessments.

In addition, endurance tests and simulations of functional or professional tasks will be conducted:

Treadmill walking
Standing/sitting tolerance
Handling weights and other tools/equipment
Strength, mobility, and flexibility tests
Palpation and manual tests of painful areas

Tips for the evaluation:

Wear comfortable or sporty clothing.
Dress in a way that exposes the injury area (e.g., shorts for a knee injury; tank top for a shoulder injury - no concern for a hip injury, as we provide gowns!)
Bring or wear sports shoes.
Bring a water bottle.
Take your pain relievers as usual before the evaluation.
We will strive to assess your maximum physical capabilities without exacerbating your pain, so it is very important to always respect your body, pain, and limits.

Once the evaluation is complete, we will discuss the treatment plan/functional capacity development program with you.

Le programme ECF et DCF est disponible aux succursales:

Villeray, Fabre, Place Newman

Functional capacity development

The therapies you have undergone so far are considered first-line or conventional therapies. Once these treatments have reached their maximum effectiveness and your condition has become chronic (3 to 6 months after the injury), you may consider a second-line rehabilitation program.

Program objectives:

Understand and effectively manage your chronic pain to regain control of your life.
Improve your endurance, strength, mobility, and flexibility through a personalized daily exercise program.
Prepare for a gradual return to work upon completion of the program, with assistance from your occupational therapist.

Program duration:
5 hours per day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks.

This intensity is crucial for several important reasons. It aims to reactivate your body with a healthy routine to improve sleep and nutrition. Daily exercise practice is essential for significant endurance gains and allows precise monitoring of your physical progress and effective pain management. You will also benefit from a safe environment and community support with other patients, promoting independence and pain self-management through exercises.

What does a typical day look like?

Introduction to exercises by your healthcare team on the first day, followed by daily independent exercises.
Opportunity for breaks during the 5 hours spent at the clinic.
On-site meal options with access to a microwave.
Group sessions such as relaxation, outdoor activities (weather permitting), and hydrotherapy.

Communication:

With your healthcare team: Share your sensations and adjust exercises if needed.
With other participants: Socialize, share experiences, and support each other.

This structured approach aims to optimize your rehabilitation journey, helping you regain functionality and quality of life through effective pain management and physical conditioning.

Le programme ECF et DCF est disponible aux succursales:

Villeray, Fabre, Place Newman

Do you have any pain or discomfort?

Book an appointment

Service fees

Service

Général

Étudiant

Évaluation

Physio (60min)

115$

85$

Traitement

Physio (30min)

85$

65$

Traitement

Physio (60min)

100$

75$

*Updated 02-2024 - the most up-to-date details are in the appointment booking link.

This program can help you with:

Stress

Stress is a natural reaction that motivates us to tackle challenges and confront threats in daily life. It activates our sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fight-or-flight response to address immediate threats.

Constant daily stress due to chronic pain can subtly affect the body, depleting mental and physical energy and causing gradual deterioration.

Examples of sources of stress:

Life situations: poverty, financial pressures, discrimination, harassment, unemployment, social isolation, etc.
Altered health: chronic pain, work-related injuries or accidents resulting in physical damage, physical disabilities, stroke, PTSD from a traumatic event, etc.

Chronic pain

1 in 5 Canadians report suffering from chronic pain. You are not alone!

Chronic pain persists for more than 3 to 6 months, beyond the normal period of physiological or anatomical healing. It often appears disproportionate to tissue damage and is not fully explained by it. Additionally, chronic pain typically shows a poor response to medications.

While chronic pain may start from an event or injury, it can become complex with persistent psychological and social dimensions even after physical healing. There is no specific treatment to completely eliminate chronic pain, but a multidimensional management approach helps patients regain a normal daily life.

Exercise

Exercise is structured physical activity that increases heart rate above resting levels, essential for maintaining or improving overall health.

A supervised exercise program is crucial to find an optimal balance. Lack of exercise due to chronic pain can lead to physical deterioration, while excessive activity can worsen symptoms.

Types of exercises recommended for chronic pain:

Stretching exercises: Maintaining a position to elongate a muscle or muscle group, improving flexibility and elasticity.
Aerobic or cardiovascular exercises: Activities that increase heart rate and oxygen use by the body, enhancing overall fitness.
Strength training exercises: Intense muscle engagement to increase muscle mass, strength, power, and endurance.

Sleep hygiene

The prevalence of sleep deprivation is particularly high among adults suffering from chronic pain.

Sleep plays a crucial role in body and brain regeneration, promoting better short- and long-term physical and mental health. It facilitates the storage of new information and the elimination of toxic waste. Brain structures involved in sleep also influence pain modulation.

However, intense pain during the night can disrupt sleep and create a vicious cycle with stress-induced insomnia, releasing stress hormones that impact inflammation and pain.

Adopting good sleep hygiene encourages favorable habits to improve sleep quality. While medications may be useful short-term, prolonged use can lead to dependence and increased tolerance.

Nutrition

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) identifies three crucial links between nutrition and pain:

Diet directly impacts the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, influencing pain sensations.
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce joint burden, decreasing inflammation.
Diet and weight can influence the severity of diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and mental health issues, often associated with chronic pain.

Chronic pain can complicate nutrition in several ways:

Limited mobility and reduced strength make daily tasks such as shopping, cooking, and meal preparation challenging.
Mental health issues and frequent isolation among individuals with chronic pain can lead to loss of appetite or irregular eating habits.
Sleep disorders can also disrupt eating patterns.

ECFDCF

Functional capacity assessment (ECF)

Administration of multiple questionnaires to assess your situation and the impact of pain on your daily life.

Subjective interview with the occupational therapist and physiotherapist.

Objective tests such as mobility and strength assessments.

In addition, endurance tests and simulations of functional or professional tasks will be conducted:

Treadmill walking

Standing/sitting tolerance

Handling weights and other tools/equipment

Strength, mobility, and flexibility tests

Palpation and manual tests of painful areas

Tips for the evaluation:

Wear comfortable or sporty clothing.

Dress in a way that exposes the injury area (e.g., shorts for a knee injury; tank top for a shoulder injury - no concern for a hip injury, as we provide gowns!)

Bring or wear sports shoes.

Bring a water bottle.

Take your pain relievers as usual before the evaluation.

We will strive to assess your maximum physical capabilities without exacerbating your pain, so it is very important to always respect your body, pain, and limits.

Once the evaluation is complete, we will discuss the treatment plan/functional capacity development program with you.

The FCE and FCD program is available at these locations:

Villeray, Fabre, Place Newman

Why choose Physiothérapie Mieux-Être?

Our specialists in ECF and DCF are specialized in analyzing and improving your physical abilities. Each treatment program is tailored to the unique needs of each patient, ensuring a significant improvement in quality of life.

Translated in French

The DCF program helped me regain my strength after an injury. The approach is personalized, and the team is very skilled. I am now more independent in my daily activities.

Marina S.

Translated in French

The evaluation was very thorough and really helped identify my needs. The team was professional and attentive throughout the process. I feel confident moving forward with my rehabilitation.

Claude V.

Translated in French

The ECF helped me understand my limitations, and the DCF program assisted me in overcoming them. The follow-up is excellent, and I am very pleased with the results.

Joseph H.

At Physiothérapie Mieux-Être, we understand the importance of choosing a quality care center. Discover what our patients have to say about their experience with us and how we have supported them throughout their rehabilitation.

FCE and FCD: patients' testimonials

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