Motor Vehicle Accident & ICBC Rehabilitation in North Vancouver
Your Recovery Has a Plan. Let's Build It.
A motor vehicle accident can affect your neck, back, and overall movement in ways that aren't always obvious right away. I provide chiropractic care and active rehabilitation for ICBC claims and whiplash-related injuries, coordinating with your claim and building a plan around how you're actually recovering, not a generic timeline.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr. Aaron Wallace, DC, MSc.
Common reasons people seek care
No two motor vehicle accidents affect people the same way. Some people feel the effects immediately, others notice symptoms days later, and the right treatment depends on understanding exactly what's been affected. Here are some of the things I most commonly assess after a collision:
Cervical Muscle Strain
The most common injury after a collision, the rapid acceleration-deceleration force overstretches the neck muscles, causing pain, spasm, and restricted movement.
Cervical Ligament Sprain (Whiplash)
The ligaments connecting the neck vertebrae can be stretched in a collision, which generally takes longer to heal than a muscle strain and can contribute to ongoing stiffness if not addressed.
Cervical Disc injury
A collision can occasionally bulge or irritate a disc in the neck, causing radiating pain, numbness, or tingling down the arm.
Facet Joint Injury
The small joints at the back of each neck vertebra are especially vulnerable to whiplash forces, and are a common source of ongoing neck pain after a collision.
Prolonged-Concussion Symptoms
Even without a direct hit to the head, the whiplash motion itself can cause a mild concussion, with symptoms like headache, fog, or dizziness (see my Concussion Rehabilitation page for more).
What to expect during your session.
1
Comprehensive assessment
Your first visit includes a movement, clinical, and neurological assessment of how the accident has affected you, so we can understand your symptoms and plan your care.
2
A plan built around you
From there, we build an individualized plan that combines manual therapy with active, exercise-based rehabilitation. You'll know exactly what we're addressing, why, and what the process looks like going forward.
3
Built for long-term resilience
We track your progress at every visit, reassessing regularly and adjusting your plan as you improve. The goal is genuine, long-term resilience and a real return to the activities you care about, not an open-ended treatment plan.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery varies according to the injuries and their effect on daily life. We review progress against goals such as driving, working, sleeping and returning to exercise. Treatment recommendations and any request for further care are based on your clinical needs and progress.
How soon after an accident should I book an assessment?
As soon as you're able to, ideally within the first few days. Symptoms can take a day or two to fully appear, and an early assessment records your starting point and lets us begin a plan sooner.
Do I need to see a doctor before booking with you?
No referral is required. You can book directly, and I'll help you understand the ICBC claims process from there.
Can symptoms appear after the accident rather than right away?
Yes. Some people don't notice significant discomfort immediately, and symptoms can become more noticeable in the days that follow. If new or persistent symptoms develop, an assessment can help determine the right next step.
How many chiropractic treatments does ICBC cover?
ICBC currently lists up to 25 pre-approved chiropractic treatments during the first 12 weeks after a crash. Eligibility, covered amounts and further treatment depend on your claim and ICBC's current rules. Ask the clinic to confirm the details for your appointment.
Related care
Booking an ICBC appointment
When booking, let the clinic know that your visit relates to a motor vehicle accident. Have your claim number, crash date and personal health number available for the clinic's secure intake process. Confirm coverage and any fees with reception before your appointment. ICBC claim appointments are currently booked at Coast Performance Rehabilitation in North Vancouver.