If You’ve Ever Been in a Car Accident, You Know How Jarring and Terrifying the Experience Can Be, along with the Physical and Emotional Toll It Can Take on You and Your Family…
Immediately after the accident, you may feel a range of intense emotions, including fear, shock, and pain.
It’s important to remember that these feelings are normal and to take care of yourself in the aftermath of the accident.
Seek medical help if necessary and allow yourself time to recover both physically and emotionally.
Remember that you’re not alone in this; there are people who care about you and will support you through this difficult time.
ICBC Covers Acupuncture Treatments
In addition to the pain and suffering, you may also be dealing with mounting medical bills and lost wages.
Fortunately, if you are one of the many people who are wondering if acupuncture is covered by ICBC, then you’ll be happy to know that the province of British Columbia has recently approved ICBC coverage for your acupuncture treatments as of April 1, 2019.
This means that the residents of BC who are injured in a car accident can receive at least 12 free treatments within the first 12 weeks of your claim.
If it has been longer than 12 weeks since your car accident, your healthcare provider will work to help get you an extension so you can get your acupuncture treatments covered by ICBC.
Furthermore, depending on the seriousness of your injuries, you may need more treatments during your recovery and so ICBC will consider covering additional treatments if they are needed on a case-by-case basis.
Super Easy Acupuncture Coverage by ICBC
To get your acupuncture coverage, all you need is your ICBC claim number and your ICBC approved Acupuncturist will do the rest.
If you are looking for an ICBC approved Acupuncturist in Burnaby, you can contact our clinic Metrotown Acupuncture, direct billing for ICBC claims is available in our clinic and we are more than happy to help you with the process, so you can focus on your recovery without having to worry about the paperwork or having to pay out of your own pocket.
If you have been in a car accident and would like to try acupuncture covered by ICBC, please contact our office to learn more about how we can help you on the road to recovery.
ICBC Acupuncturist Coverage Treatment Guidelines
The news about ICBC now covering acupuncture treatments is very exciting for many people because acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healthcare and is used to treat a wide variety of conditions that are supported by a growing amount of scientific evidence.
So this is good news for those who have been in a car accident and are looking for a more natural and holistic care to aid in their recovery.
For complete details on acupuncture covered by ICBC, please visit their website: https://www.icbc.com/partners/health-services/providers/Pages/Acupuncturists.aspx
In order for your acupuncture treatments to qualify for ICBC coverage, acupuncturists must be ICBC approved and meet ICBC’s vendor requirements.
When providing acupuncture treatment plans for patients, acupuncturists are expected to adhere to the College practice standards.
This includes assessing patients and determining their treatment plans in accordance with evidence-informed practice.
The use of evidence-informed practice ensures that the treatments provided are based on the best available evidence and are delivered in a safe and effective manner to you as the patient.
By adhering to these practice standards, acupuncturists can provide high quality care that meets the needs of their patients.
Patient Education By An ICBC Covered Acupuncturist
When being treated for your injuries by an ICBC approved health care provider, if your injury falls under specific guidelines under the Insurance (Vehicle) Act, a health care practitioner must educate you with respect to the following:
- Objectives to meet to get you back to the quality of life prior to your accident
- An estimate of the possible length of time that your symptoms will last for your injuries
- How the course of recovery usually happens
- What possible factors are responsible for the symptoms you may be experiencing
- A suitable approach for you to manage your pain on your own
- Any possible comorbid conditions that may be present
Is Acupuncture Good after a Car Accident?
Now that you know that acupuncture is covered by ICBC, you may be wondering if acupuncture is good after a car accident.
Acupuncture is a popular form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific acupressure points on the body.
Though it has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of conditions, acupuncture is often recommended as a treatment for pain relief.
In particular, many people who have been in car accidents find that acupuncture can be helpful in managing pain and other symptoms that they may be experiencing.
This is probably part of the reason as to why the province of British Columbia has decided to allow acupuncture to be covered by ICBC to help patients recover from their injuries.
Why Acupuncture May Be Effective after a Car Accident
First, acupuncture is good after a car accident because it can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing for a faster recovery.
After a car accident, your injuries could result in inflammation in the body which can cause an overwhelming amount of stiffness and pain.
A growing body of research suggests that acupuncture may be effective at reducing inflammation in part by stimulating the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body.
In a study from The National Library of Medicine – Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Acupuncture they wrote, “Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when treating many diseases and painful conditions, and therefore is thought to be useful as a complementary therapy or to replace generally accepted pharmacological intervention.”
Additionally, acupuncture can help to release endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body and can greatly help ease the pain experienced from your injuries after a car accident.
Finally, acupuncture can help relax muscles and relieve tension which can also contribute to your pain relief and recovery.
If you are considering a holistic treatment option like acupuncture after a car accident, be sure to consult with a licensed ICBC approved acupuncturist to ensure that it is safe for you.
Acupuncture is Good After a Car Accident for Many Common Injuries
After a car accident, there are many injuries you could be suffering from which is why acupuncture is great to help with your recovery.
Some of these injuries may include but not limited to:
- Whiplash – Concussion
- Neck Pain – Headache
- Back Pain – PTSD/ Anxiety
Because acupuncture can help with so many types of conditions, both physically and emotionally, that is what makes it such a great option to help in your recovery after a car accident.
This is why it’s best to let your ICBC approved acupuncturist know of any and all symptoms you may be experiencing, no matter how small you may think it is.
Your healthcare provider wants to ensure you receive the highest quality and most accurate care that you need for your specific injuries.
In Conclusion – Is Acupuncture Covered by ICBC and Is Acupuncture Good after a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you may be feeling a range of symptoms, from pain and stiffness to insomnia and anxiety.
While traditional Western medicine can be helpful in managing these symptoms, some patients find that acupuncture provides additional relief and can even manage the side-effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including pain relief after a car accident.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and reduce inflammation and swelling.
In addition, acupuncture can help to reduce stress and anxiety, both of which are common after a car accident.
If you have recently been in a car accident, you’ll be happy to know that ICBC now covers at least 12 free Acupuncture treatments.
If you need more treatments, your ICBC approved healthcare provider can help you get coverage for more as ICBC will consider covering additional treatments if they are needed on a case-by-case basis.
It’s very easy to get your acupuncture treatments covered by ICBC and all you need is your claim number and your healthcare provider will directly bill ICBC so you do not have to pay out of your own pocket.
Acupuncture is a great option to help your recovery after a car accident because it can help with multiple injuries you may have sustained and provides you relief without the side-effects of conventional treatments.
If you are interested in exploring acupuncture as part of your recovery process please talk with your ICBC approved acupuncturist to see if it is a good option for you and to have them help develop a treatment plan that meets your specific needs. If you are in or near the Burnaby BC area, please contact our clinic so we can help guide you in this process.
