Managing Chronic Pain Through Physiotherapy for Long-term Relief
Living with chronic pain, be it from arthritis, fibromyalgia, or persistent back pain, can be a daily struggle. Physiotherapy offers a path to long-term relief.
If you were hurt in a car accident in British Columbia, ICBC pays for up to 25 physiotherapy sessions in the first 12 weeks after the crash, no matter who was at fault. You do not need a doctor’s referral or approval from ICBC to start, and at Teamworks Health Clinic we bill ICBC directly, so there is no upfront cost to you.
Here is how ICBC coverage for physiotherapy works, what to bring to your first visit, and what happens if you need care beyond the first 12 weeks.
What ICBC covers in the first 12 weeks after a crash
Under ICBC’s Enhanced Care coverage, everyone injured in a crash in B.C. can access pre-approved treatment for the first 12 weeks after the crash, regardless of who was responsible. For the treatments we offer at Teamworks, ICBC pre-approves:
- Physiotherapy: 25 sessions
- Chiropractic care: 25 sessions
- Registered massage therapy: 12 sessions
- Kinesiology: 12 sessions
- Counselling: 12 sessions
These figures are published by ICBC for treatments from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Because each type of care has its own pre-approved sessions, you can combine physiotherapy with chiropractic, massage, kinesiology or counselling as part of one recovery plan. See our ICBC treatments page for everything we offer after a road accident.
What to bring to your first ICBC physio appointment
ICBC asks you to have two things ready when you start treatment:
- Your ICBC claim number, which you receive when you report your claim to ICBC
- Your B.C. Personal Health Number (PHN)
You do not need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and you do not need to wait for ICBC to approve your pre-approved sessions. If you have not reported your claim yet, you can do that with ICBC online or by phone before your visit.
How direct billing works at Teamworks
We bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved sessions and we do not charge user fees, so you can focus on getting better instead of paperwork. You simply book, attend your appointments and bring your claim number.
If a clinic cannot bill ICBC directly, ICBC says you pay upfront and then submit your receipts for reimbursement within 180 days of the expense, up to ICBC’s approved rates. Choosing a clinic that direct bills saves you that step.
What physiotherapy after a car accident looks like
Every physiotherapy appointment at Teamworks is an extended, uninterrupted one-on-one session with a licensed physiotherapist. Your first visit starts with an assessment of how the crash has affected you, whether that is your neck, back, shoulder or another area, and then moves into treatment.
Depending on your injury, your program may include manual therapy, electrotherapy, kinesio and athletic taping, and exercise prescription you can continue at home. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for paperwork and wear comfortable clothing for the area being treated.
What happens if you need treatment after 12 weeks
Many people recover within the first 12 weeks, but not everyone does. If you still need care, your physiotherapist can recommend further treatment and work with your ICBC recovery specialist to have it approved. Additional sessions beyond the pre-approved period need ICBC’s approval before they are billed, so it helps to start that conversation before your sessions run out.
Book ICBC physiotherapy at Broadway and Heather
Teamworks Health Clinic is at 2480 Heather Street in Vancouver, at the corner of Broadway and Heather, two blocks west of the Cambie Broadway SkyTrain station and a short walk from Vancouver General Hospital. We are open Monday to Thursday from 7am to 7pm and Friday from 7am to 3:30pm.
Book your appointment online through Jane App at any time, or call us at 604.428.3006. Let us know it is an ICBC claim and have your claim number ready.
Coverage details come from ICBC and can change. For questions about your own claim, check ICBC’s treatment guidance or speak with your recovery specialist.
