The Role of Physiotherapy for Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
A motor vehicle accident (MVA) has the potential to leave a lasting impact on your body and peace of mind. is potentially a traumatizing event, both physically and mentally. The speed or forces in such an accident do not necessarily relate to impaired or impacted an individual is by the event. Whether you've sustained soft tissue injuries, fractured bones, back pain, concussive symptoms, have become anxious or fearful being around vehicles, or any other symptoms it is all too normal to feel overwhelmed about your recovery. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Working with a Physiotherapist offers a powerful, supportive path toward healing and restoring your quality of life after an accident.
Physiotherapists commonly assist individuals recovering from motor vehicle accidents and we understand that each person’s injuries, personal situations, and healing processes are unique. Our approach to care combines active rehabilitation, manual therapy, and complementary modalities including IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation), and more—designed to reduce pain, restore movement quality, and build strength gradually and safely.
Active rehabilitation is an essential part of recovery. This involves guided exercises tailored to your injury and current ability level. The aim is to rebuild strength, flexibility, coordination, and functional capacity. Staying active can actually accelerate healing and reduce the risk of chronic pain or reinjury. Our goal is to help you return not just to where you were before the accident, but ideally, even stronger.
Manual therapy, which includes hands-on techniques like joint mobilizations and soft tissue release, helps reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and decrease muscle tension. It can be especially helpful in the early stages when pain and inflammation may limit your movement.
We also incorporate other evidence-based treatments as needed, such as IMS, low level laser therapy or photobiomodulation, and education on posture and movement habits, all intended to help manage pain and support your daily function.
If you’ve been injured in a crash, ICBC will automatically cover 25 physiotherapy sessions within the first 12 weeks following your accident—no doctor’s referral is required to begin. Simply begin a claim with ICBC and they will give you a claim number
If recovery takes longer (which it sometimes can), we can request further coverage beyond the initial 12 weeks.
It’s important to seek care early. Research shows that early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes, both physically and mentally. Even if your pain seems mild at first, getting assessed within the first 1-2 weeks can help prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems down the road.
We want you to know that recovery is possible, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Many of our patients are surprised by how much progress they make with an individualized recovery plan, encouragement, and consistent care.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident and are unsure of your next steps, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to answer your questions, help you get started, and create a recovery plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
- Thanks for reading and keep looking for more posts in the future on other ‘hot topics’ in the world of Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation!
