WORKSAFE BC (WSBC) Physiotherapy Treatment 

What is WorkSafeBC Physiotherapy Treatment?
 

WSBC Physiotherapy is a rehabilitative health specialty aimed at improving and restoring the movement, function, and overall well-being of patients who’ve experienced injury or illness. A WSBC physiotherapy treatment program is designed to help workers regain health and function and return to work after a workplace injury. Physiotherapy is a primary component of WSBC approved recovery programs. Therefore, if you have been referred for WSBC physiotherapy treatment, you can rest assure that you’re in good hands. 

Who is eligible for WSBC Physiotherapy Treatment?

If you have suffered an injury or illness due to your work, you may be eligible for WSBC physiotherapy treatments. This includes workers who have sustained injuries because of accidents at the workplace, as well as those who have developed occupational diseases or conditions over time due to their job. 

To access WSBC physiotherapy treatment, you must first report your injury or illness to your employer and see your physician. Once your claim has been accepted by WSBC, you can then be referred to a physiotherapy clinic that accepts WSBC patients, Plaza Physiotherapy is ready for you!

Do I have to pay for WSBC Physiotherapy Treatments?

At Plaza Physiotherapy we will direct bill WSBC for the physiotherapy sessions, and there will be no out-of-pocket costs to you.

How many WSBC Physiotherapy treatments do I have?

You’ll have as many as needed to rehabilitate you back to your pre-injury state. In addition, as long as you are benefiting and making functional gains, you’ll have enough treatments.
WSBC pre-approves 15 physiotherapy sessions for the first 6 weeks after your injury date. As soon as additional treatment is required by the patient, the physical therapist will submit a Treatment Plan to WSBC. A Treatment Plan will outline the patients’ functional goals to date and what further functional goals the physiotherapist expect. The Physiotherapist will then discuss the number of sessions to accomplish our goal(s).

What do I need to start WSBC Physiotherapy Treatment?

• WSBC claim #
• Accident date
• Personal Health Number

With this information, you can book a physiotherapy assessment (link here) and start treatment right away.

WSBC automatically approves a physiotherapy assessment if you attend the appointment within 60 days of the injury date. If 60 days have passed from your accident date and you are having treatment for the first time, Plaza Physiotherapy Clinic will contact WSBC to have the first assessment approved.

Once approved by WSBC, these initial visits allow the physiotherapist to assess and treat you, while completing a Physiotherapy Treatment Plan to submit to WSBC. The treatment plan would include your critical job demands and duties, your current abilities and a recommendation to return to work.

What benefits can I expect from Physiotherapy?

Depending on the stage of the injury (acute or chronic) the benefits of physiotherapy treatment include:

• A decrease in pain
• Increase in pain-free range of motion
• Increase in strength and cardio-respiratory endurance
• Improvement in balance and coordination
• Increase independence and function
• Accelerate return to previous activities (work duties)

What will a Physiotherapist do to help with my work injury?

After the initial assessment, both the client and physiotherapist will discuss treatment options to address the injuries. The Physiotherapist will discuss expectations with the patient during the treatment plan. A phone call to their place of employment is mandatory to discuss the recommended treatment plan moving forward. Some techniques commonly applied are:

Using their hands, our physiotherapists are able to help improve soft tissue circulation, blood flow, reduce swelling and improve joint mobility

SOFT TISSUE RELEASE

Physiotherapists use soft tissue release and manual therapy techniques used to address soft tissues injuries. Techniques such as active assisted stretch, cupping, massage, and scraping help decrease feelings of tightness, adhesions and scarring that result in pain, loss of mobility, strength and function. These symptoms typically occur after an injury.

PERSONALIZED EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION

Starting with simple, pain-free and effective exercises to help strengthen the muscles affected by the injury, this is one of the most important steps in the rehabilitation process. Client adherence to the exercises prescribed by the physiotherapist helps to speed up recovery and to reduce chronic pain and re-aggravation episodes.

Optimally, a strengthening program is the long-term fix to any injury, since we need to make the body function by itself again. Most of the short-term pain relief techniques mentioned here, help the body to perform better in the framework in between sessions, so you can exercise and get stronger.

IT’S TEAMWORK!

MODALITIES

Physiotherapy devices such as IMS/Dry Needling, Electrotherapy, and ICE/Heating packs help to accelerate the healing process, reduce inflammation, reduce muscle pain and spasms)