WORKSAFEBC PHYSIOTHERAPY
Westcoast SCI can provide treatment for your WorkSafeBC injury, including manual therapy and therapeutic exercise to get you back to work as quickly as you are able to.Serving Vancouver and Port Coquitlam
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What is WorkSafeBC Physiotherapy?
If you are employed in British Columbia and get injured at work, your physiotherapy will be covered by WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC is the provincial government’s sanctioned insurance provider for all injured workers. You are not required to sign up in advance or pay membership dues. Your employer is responsible to be registered with WorkSafeBC to make sure all employees have insurance, should they be injured while at work.
In case you get injured at work, the first thing to do depends on the severity of your injury. Obviously, if it’s life threatening, you’d call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department. If it isn’t life threatening, you would visit your family physician first. At some point, you will need to contact WorkSafeBC and open a file. They will help you understand the particulars of your situation and walk you through the steps to take regarding being off work, financial aid, etc.
Once you’ve received a WorkSafeBC claim number, give us a call or book a WorkSafeBC initial assessment online to get started on your rehabilitation with a registered physiotherapist.
What kind of treatment is offered for WorksafeBC?
Unlike other physiotherapy clinics, at Westcoast SCI, a WorkSafeBC claim is treated the same as any other physiotherapy visit. You’ll receive a thorough assessment including a detailed history of the incident, your past medical history and specific questions about your work.
The goal will be to get you back to work as quickly as you are able to. We will provide treatment for your injury, which may include manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. Perhaps most importantly, we will listen to you and provide a treatment plan to get you back on your feet. If your workplace can accommodate a gradual return to work plan, including modified duties, we will help coordinate this with your WorkSafeBC claim manager and your employer.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for WorksafeBC?
Yes, in order to get a WorkSafeBC claim number, you need to be under the care of a physician. If you do not have a family physician, the majority of walk-in clinic doctors can help you. When booking the initial appointment with a walk-in clinic, make sure to let the receptionist know you’re coming in because you got injured on the job.
How often do I need to see the physiotherapist in the Worksafe BC program?
At Westcoast SCI, your coverage with WorkSafeBC allows you to come in twice a week for two 30 minute physiotherapy appointments until you are back to full time work.
At some point during your treatment, you may begin a gradual return to work plan. In addition, you may also work with one of our kinesiologists, who are experts in work reconditioning for some of the sessions.
How long will the WorksafeBC program take?
A typical WorkSafeBC claim takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 or 4 months. However, there are always exceptions and more challenging injuries which can take longer to heal.
Depending on your job, employer, workplace and their ability to accommodate your gradual return to work, you might be able to get back to work quicker. However, there can be delays in getting you back for various reasons, adding to the length of your program.
What does a session look like?
Your sessions can include a variety of things to get you back to work. This can include manual therapy, education about your injury and how to prevent it in the future, functional strengthening, learning proper lifting/carrying techniques, the importance of microbreaks, and much more.
There will likely be some form of work conditioning or work simulation. This really depends on what you do for work. If you sit at a desk, this would involve educating about the best chair, desk and workstation set up as well as taking frequent stretch breaks (microbreaks). If you work a physical job, it may be trying to simulate what you do. For example if you are an electrician, it may involve carrying heavy loads, climbing ladders or working in awkward positions. The goal is to build tolerance and strength so you can return to work as soon and safely as possible.
If you have further questions, we’re here to help. Contact us to set up a no-obligation 15 min. video call to speak with a physiotherapist about your unique situation and how we can help.