Motor Vehicle Accident Physiotherapy (MVA Physio)

Request an appointment to assess your MVA injury today

Motor Vehicle Accident injuries can be very frustrating and stressful to deal with. Not only do you have to worry about car repairs, but now you have to worry about fixing your body properly as well and possibly being unable to work. Because these injuries often involve an extremely sudden unexpected jolt, they can commonly take significantly longer to heal than simple strains and sprains. Here are some tips to help you navigate MVA physio.

In Alberta, you have the legal right to see the physiotherapist of your choice

Your insurance company may suggest clinics they have contracts and agreements with. We prioritize the goals of our clients, putting our patients' needs first. We do not sign agreements with insurance companies, so there is no confusion over who we are working for... you! You have the right to follow the advice of your doctor, family & friends who have relied on us to focus on what's best for our patients.

Steps to take

Fortunately we can help reduce your stress by helping you through the sometimes complex process of dealing with your car insurance provider. Follow these steps in order to make your claim hassle-free.

1. Report your accident to your car insurance provider as soon as possible.

2. Fill out an AB1 Form. If you like, you can bring this form into our clinic when you attend your first physiotherapy treatment and we can help proofread it before sending into your insurance. This must be done within 10 days of the accident.

3. If you were injured in the accident, getting physiotherapy treatment as soon as possible is the best way to ensure that you recover as quickly as possible. In most cases physiotherapy treatments can be paid for directly by the insurance company so you don't have to pay out of pocket. You are NOT required to go to the physiotherapist that your insurance company suggests. It is your choice where you attend. Know that our physiotherapists have extensive experience in treating patients involved in car accidents. Our main focus is on you, providing you the care that you need to maximize your recovery.

You do not need a doctor's prescription to be assessed and treated by our physiotherapists. The accident benefits you receive depend on the type of injury you have. This direct billing system is called the Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols (DTPR). If you opt out, you then pay out of pocket for all your physiotherapy treatments and submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. If you opt in as most people do, these are the following direct billing funding limits to be completed within 90 days of the accident:
- WAD 1- You have sustained a neck/back injury where your mobility and strength is full and your only complaint is pain. You are automatically approved for 10 treatment units.
- WAD 2- You have sustained a neck/back injury where your mobility or strength is compromised. You are automatically approved for 21 treatment units.
- WAD 3 (nerve damage), WAD 4 (spinal fractures)- no direct billing is available. You must pay directly for your physiotherapy treatment and submit your receipts to your car insurance for reimbursement.
- Sprains/Strains- You have sustained a muscle or joint injury to your arm or leg. For a first or second degree strain/sprain, you are automatically covered for 10 treatment units. For a third degree strain/sprain, you are automatically covered for 21 treatment units.
If the direct billing with the DTPRs is exhausted, your car insurance requires that you use your extended health benefits to pay for physiotherapy treatment. Whatever portion of the treatment is not covered by your extended health benefits WILL be covered by your car insurance for up to 2 years following the accident or to a limit of $50000.
In all likelihood we would be able to arrange for your insurance company to pay directly for your physiotherapy treatment outside of the DTPRs to help reduce the financial strain on you.

Treatable symptoms

We can help you recover from a wide variety of symptoms commonly seen in car accident injuries:

Neck and Upper Back Pain, Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
- Typically in a whiplash injury, the head is thrown back, then forward very quickly. This can result in damage to not only the muscles, but also the ligaments and joints of the neck. Damage to these inert structures can take much longer to heal than minor muscle strains. Early active motion has been shown to be the most effective approach to dealing with whiplash disorders. Our physiotherapists help you recover by first helping reduce your pain, then increasing mobility and strength in your neck to get you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Headaches
- Headaches can be caused from a direct blow to the head or related to the whiplash jarring force. Headaches can be a symptom of a concussion or a symptom of a neck injury. Our physiotherapists use a variety of hands-on treatment techniques, the use of modalities/machines, and we give you specific exercises and postural advice to help alleviate your headaches.
Concussion
- A direct blow to the head or the jarring whiplash force can cause a concussion. Concussions can result in headaches, loss of concentration, loss of short term memory, sensitivity to light, nausea, and poor balance. We have several physiotherapists specifically trained in concussion treatment.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
- If your head was turned to the side at the time of the impact, your jaw may have been twisted to the side resulting in a TMJ sprain. This can result in pain in the jaw just in front the ear on one or both sides, an inability to open or close your jaw properly, and difficulty chewing. Our physiotherapists help normalize and restore the motion of your jaw through a combination of hands-on techniques, the use of machines/modalities, and giving you specific exercises.
Vertigo
- Occasionally small particles in the inner ear called otoconia can be dislodged during the collision causing spinning and dizziness. Several of our physiotherapists are trained in treating this disorder using techniques such as the Epley Maneuver.
Lower Back Pain
- Much like the neck and upper back, the lower back can also get damaged in a whiplash injury by being thrown into a position of hyperextension (over-arching) and then snapped into hyperflexion (bent forwards). Most often these problems occur at the very bottom of the lower back where the spine connects to the pelvis. Our physiotherapists help you recover by first helping reduce your pain, then increasing mobility and strength in your lower back to get you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Arm or Leg Injuries
- A wide variety of sprains and strains can occur to the arms or legs from banging into the dash or door in the vehicle or from the jarring sudden forces sustained during the collision. Our physiotherapists assess and treat your injuries on a case by case basis.
Fractures
- When greater car collision forces are involved than with sprains or strains, fractures can occur. $MVA fractures$ By the time you see us, you will likely be under the supervision of your doctor or possibly a surgeon. Our physiotherapists closely follow fracture healing guidelines as well as specific treatment protocols as set out by your doctor in developing a safe and effective rehabilitation program for you.

Request an appointment to assess your MVA injury today