ICBC Active Rehab in Surrey: Your First 12 Weeks Guide

Being in a car accident is stressful enough without having to navigate the complexities of recovery. If you've been in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, it is important to know you're pre-approved for 12 ICBC kinesiology sessions within the first 12 weeks of the accident date. But what does that actually mean? What happens during that time? Why is it important? What is a kinesiologist? As a kinesiologist specializing in ICBC active rehab in Surrey, I want to simplify the process for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect during this crucial recovery period.

Phase 1: The First 1-2 Weeks of the ICBC Kinesiology Program (Assessment & Gentle Start)

This initial phase of your ICBC kinesiology treatment is all about understanding your situation and setting a safe foundation.

• Your First Step: As soon as you have your ICBC claim number, you can book your initial kinesiology assessment. You do not need a doctor's referral. All I need you to do is fill out this intake form and I will book you in for your session, at no additional cost to you.
• The Initial Kinesiology Assessment: This is our detective work phase. I will sit down with you and talk about the accident, your specific injuries, your pain levels, and most importantly, your goals. I'll then guide you through an initial assessment testing to see how your body is moving and identify areas of weakness or restriction.
• The Goal: The focus here is on pain management and gentle activation. We'll start with simple, safe exercises designed to calm your nervous system and begin restoring basic function without causing flare-ups. Education is also key; I'll help you understand your injuries and the recovery process.

Phase 2: Weeks 3-8 of the ICBC Kinesiology Program (Building the Foundation)

Once we've established a safe baseline, we can start building momentum. The goal of this phase is to build your body's trust in movement again.

• The Focus: We will gradually and progressively increase your range of motion and begin introducing light resistance exercises. This is where we start to rebuild the strength of the muscles that support your injured areas.
• Example Exercises: Depending on your injury, this could include bodyweight exercises, core stability work (like bird-dog or planks), postural correction exercises, and gentle stretching.
• The Goal: By the end of this phase, you should notice a reduction in pain, an increase in your ability to perform daily tasks, and growing confidence in your body's ability to heal.

Phase 3: Weeks 9-12 of the ICBC Kinesiology Program (Functional Strength & Return to Life)

This is the final and most empowering phase of your initial ICBC kinesiology program. We take the foundation we've built and apply it to the real world.

• The Focus: We'll move on to more complex, functional movements that mimic the activities you do in your daily life, whether that's lifting groceries, playing with your kids, returning to work, or getting back to your favourite sport.
• Example Exercises: This might involve lifting exercises with proper form, pushing and pulling movements, and activities that challenge your balance and coordination.
• The Goal: To ensure you can return to your pre-accident lifestyle safely and confidently, armed with the knowledge and strength to prevent re-injury.

What Happens After 12 Weeks of Your ICBC kinesiology treatment?

For many people, the 12 pre-approved ICBC kinesiology sessions are enough to get them back on track. However, if your injuries are more complex, I can submit a report to ICBC to request an extension of your kinesiology treatment. The most important thing is that you have a clear path forward.

It is important to get started with movement as soon as possible, even if movement is difficult due to major injuries I can help get gentle movement started in bed or seated positions so your joints and muscles do not stiffen up. The longer you wait to get moving the more your body deconditions and weakens, resulting in a longer period of recovery.

Your recovery journey is unique, but you don't have to navigate it alone. As your kinesiologist in Surrey, I'm here to guide you every step of the way.