Have you had a car accident? Please book an ICBC Initial Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment so we can help you to feel better and move better!
Recovering from a car accident can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries that impact your mobility and daily life. One of the most effective ways to regain strength, function, and confidence after an accident is through physiotherapy.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what to expect during your first physiotherapy appointment, highlighting how it plays a crucial role in your recovery and why it’s a vital part of your healing process.
To get started on your recovery post Motor Vehicle accident, please book an ICBC Initial Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment appointment and have your ICBC claim number ready. Your 12 weeks of physiotherapy coverage starts from the date of your accident, so don’t hesitate to contact us!
What to Expect from your Physiotherapy Assessment after your Car Accident
1. Subjective History: Understanding Your Story
The first step in your physiotherapy journey is a detailed subjective assessment, During the subjective assessment, your therapist will ask you about the accident itself and your current symptoms. You’ll discuss the specifics of how the accident happened, which body areas were injured, and how you’ve been feeling since the accident. It is important to tell how you felt both immediately after the accident and up until the time of your appointment.
During this conversation, your physiotherapist will also inquire about any previous injuries or medical conditions that might influence your recovery. This helps build a complete picture of your health, allowing your therapist to provide the most effective treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
2. Objective Assessment: A Comprehensive Physical Examination
Next, your physiotherapist will perform an objective assessment, which involves a physical examination of your injuries. This may include assessing your range of motion, strength, posture, and other relevant factors. At the first appointment, your therapist will be mindful not to aggravate your symptoms. Sometimes, all components of your injury cannot be safely assessed in the first session and the full assessment will take place over a couple of sessions to ensure that your symptoms are not flared up.
Through this examination, your physiotherapist can identify areas of weakness or tension and understand how the accident has affected your body. The findings from this assessment will guide treatment decisions and will be explained to you in detail so you feel informed and confident about your recovery process.
3. Creating Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Once your physiotherapist has a clear understanding of your condition, you’ll work together to create a treatment plan. This collaborative approach ensures that the plan aligns with your recovery goals and personal preferences. You may discuss treatment options such as manual therapy, acupuncture, or other techniques based on your specific needs.
Treatment may begin during your first visit, depending on the findings, and your physiotherapist will provide guidance on what you can expect over the course of your treatment. This plan will be re-evaluated regularly, ensuring that it continues to meet your evolving needs and helps you move toward a full recovery.
4. Physiotherapy Treatment Techniques: A Range of Approaches to Speed Recovery
At the heart of physiotherapy are the treatment techniques designed to help you move better, feel better, and recover more efficiently. These techniques can range from manual therapy, such as joint mobilization or soft tissue release, to intramuscular stimulation (IMS) or acupuncture.
The goal of these treatments is to reduce pain, increase mobility, and promote healing by addressing the root causes of your symptoms. Throughout your sessions, your physiotherapist will check in with you to ensure the treatments are effective and adjust them as needed.
5. Home Exercise Program: Empowering Your Recovery
In addition to in-clinic treatments, your physiotherapist will provide you with a home exercise program to complement your therapy. These exercises are designed to be simple yet effective, helping you strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and gradually return to your daily activities.
As your recovery progresses, your physiotherapist will adjust and advance your exercise program to ensure you’re continually improving and moving toward your recovery goals. Your active participation in your home exercises will play a significant role in your recovery and help you regain function faster.
6. Timelines for healing and ICBC coverage details
For Motor Vehicle Accidents in British Columbia, you can seek treatment with your physiotherapist for the first 12 weeks after your crash. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) will cover $151 for the initial visit and $95 per subsequent physiotherapy visit. With a valid ICBC claim number, you are eligible for 25 Physiotherapy visits (this coverage amount is valid between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026). Some clinics will charge a user fee above this $95 but our ICBC direct billing practitioners do not charge this fee, so there is no cost to you out of pocket when you attend our clinic for Physiotherapy treatment.
To get started on your recovery post Motor Vehicle accident, please book an ICBC Initial Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment appointment and have your ICBC claim number ready. The 12 weeks starts from the date of accident, so don’t hesitate to contact us!
Depending upon your injury, it is possible that you’ll need more Physiotherapy beyond 12 weeks if you’ve been in a car accident. Your physiotherapist can also suggest extended treatment appointments s for more serious accidents, such as those involving complex injuries or concussions.
If your health care provider thinks your treatment plan needs to be extended, they’ll send a treatment plan to your support and recovery professional at ICBC that details the additional treatment that will be given and how it will help you recover. You can also talk to your support and recovery professional at ICBC about your treatment and recovery progress to help them
New ICBC contract:
Effective March 30 2025, ICBC changed their contract terms with Physiotherapists in BC and many providers and clinics opted out from direct billing ICBC for accident related physiotherapy sessions requiring patients to pay out of pocket and send in receipts themselves. However, this contract change will not change your ability to access direct billing to ICBC for your accident related injuries at Body Works Sports Physiotherapy. We have ICBC specialized physiotherapists ready to help you feel better and move better. Contact us if you have more questions.
Other resources on this contract change can be found at the Physiotherapy Association of BC or the College of Physical Therapists of BC which has now amalgamated with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.