Injuries happen all the time, sometimes in car accidents and sometimes from clumsy slips.

Our bodies do a great job of healing themselves and bouncing back, but some injuries require more assistance and attention with recovery before we can function the way we did before the injury happened.

If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident (or MVA) in BC, you’re probably eligible for ICBC active rehab and are looking to learn more about what the therapy involves and what you can expect as a patient.

In this post we’ll give you an overview of active rehab and explain how our kinesiologists at Kenaz can help you recover.

What is active rehabilitation?

Active rehabilitation, active rehab, or sometimes known as exercise rehab, is a method of therapy involving exercises that help treat injury symptoms and improve movement.

The goal is to help active rehab patients return to their everyday activities as safely as possible following injury. Active rehabilitation treatments are provided by kinesiologists (often referred to as movement specialists) who are licensed by the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists.

What is ICBC active rehab?

ICBC active rehab is a customized exercise program a kinesiologist puts together to help you recover from a motor vehicle accident if you’re experiencing symptoms of pain, limited movement and flexibility, or decreased strength as a result of the accident.

You are eligible for ICBC active rehab if you have an active injury claim with ICBC. Most practitioners are set up to bill ICBC directly so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for treatment fees and wait to get reimbursed.

What do active rehab sessions involve?

In your active rehab sessions, you will work with a kinesiologist on a one-on-one basis. They will target the areas of your body affected by your accident. If, for example, you injure your neck in a MVA, they might target the neck as well as surrounding muscles and joints.

Your sessions will involve stretching, strength building exercises, and cardio training if needed. To help make sure you regain your strength, full range of motion, and posture, your kinesiologist will also put together an at-home exercise program for you so you can continue to treat yourself independently in between your sessions.

What is the difference between active rehab and physiotherapy?

There are a few similarities between active rehab and physiotherapy.

Physiotherapists use hands-on skills to assess, diagnose, and treat symptoms of injury or disability and may use manual techniques like dry needling or massage therapy for treatment.

Kinesiologists are experts in human movement and strengthening. They spend more active time with their patients to restore movement, improve strength, and improve form.

Kinesiologists look at the health of the whole body. They help uncover the root cause of pain or limited movement rather than treating the symptoms. For example, kinesiologists might help you realize that recurring back pain is actually caused from tight hamstrings.

Another difference between physiotherapy and active rehab is timelines. Acute and immediate injuries are usually referred to physiotherapists, whereas injuries that persist for over a month are often referred to active rehab. This is where patients go to get more assistance in bridging between the initial injury and getting back to regular life.

What can I expect from my active rehab treatment with Kenaz?

Kenaz kinesiologists have been providing hundreds of our clients with active rehab treatments over the past few years. We treat the full range of injuries that you might experience in an MVA. Some of the most common that we see are low back pain, whiplash/neck pain, concussions, ligament strains, shoulder pain and knee pain.

Here’s what you can expect the treatment process to look like:

Come in for your initial ICBC assessment

Your kinesiologist will start by conducting a comprehensive full body physical assessment that meets ICBC requirements. This initial in-person assessment is about 60 minutes long.

In your first assessment you’ll discuss what injuries you’ve suffered from your accident, your symptoms, and any limitations you’ve experienced with your movement or day to day life as a result of the injury.

The assessment will help determine the range of motion in all your joints including the neck, shoulders, spine, hips, and ankles. It also involves some strength testing to determine any muscle imbalances or muscle weaknesses in your body.
Get your customized treatment plan

Based on the results of your assessment and your medical report, your kinesiologist will develop a customized treatment plan involving exercises that suit your injury and your typical schedule or routine.
Book in-person active rehab sessions with your kinesiologist

You’ll then book 45-minute one-on-one active rehab sessions with your kinesiologist held at our Kenaz facility. ICBC covers up to 12 sessions (or 12 weeks) with a kinesiologist to start with and your progress will be evaluated every step of the way.

If your recovery isn’t going as expected and you require more treatment after your 12 weeks, ICBC offers additional support.
Keep up with your take-home exercises and adjustments

In between your active rehabilitation sessions, you’ll also get take-home exercises to do at home to help you continue to improve independently.

Your kinesiologist may also ask more questions about your lifestyle and workspace if you work from home, at an office, or are on your feet for most of the day. To make sure you’re the most comfortable that you can be and are improving your posture, they’ll make specific ergonomics recommendations to alter your seating or work in some time for simple stretches during your day.

Practitioners may tackle active rehab in a few different ways. At Kenaz, we work towards these steps and goals for your treatment:

Increase your range of motion first
We figure out just how much free or limited movement you have in your injured area and surrounding areas.
Build up your strength to keep the range of motion
We target the muscle weaknesses and imbalances found in your assessment.
Continue to improve your strength and decrease your pain
We continue to work with you on gaining your strength and getting you as comfortable as you can be.
Determine necessary lifestyle and routine changes needed to get you back to normal
We help you figure out if it’s time to go back to a sport, exercise, or other hobbies that will help you feel confident in your everyday life.

How do I get started with active rehab with Kenaz?

If you were in a car accident on or after April 1, 2019, you should be approved for 12 active rehabilitation sessions billed directly to ICBC. If your accident was prior to April 1st, don’t worry: you will just need to get approval from ICBC for treatment first.

Collect some information including your claim number from ICBC, adjuster’s contact information (name, phone number, email), and the contact information for your lawyer or occupational therapist, if retained.
Speak with your doctor and ask for a referral note especially for Kinesiology - Active Rehabilitation.

Contact Kenaz or give us a call at 778-809-0904 and we’ll go over the whole process with you.

Recovering from Injury with Active Rehab