FAQ:

Q: What is Athletic therapy and active rehabilitation and how does it help?

Athletic therapy and kinesiology keep you moving by promoting optimal health and mobility for any injury. You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit. Conditions can include any chronic or recent injury. In fact athletic therapists are specialists at acute phase, trauma injuries that happen on the field, ice or court in sports.
Athletic therapy and kinesiology:

•  is a non-intrusive, cost-effective choice for managing your health
• helps to identify, alleviate, correct and prevent acute or prolonged pain or movement dysfunction
• encourages your independence through patient education
• helps you achieve your highest level of physical functioning (at any stage of life) by providing you with a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.

The Athletic Therapists at West Coast Kinesiology Orthopaedic Injury and Sports Therapy are university-educated manual therapists with years of clinical experience. We assess and treat a wide range of conditions - whether it’s back or neck pain, pelvic imbalance, shoulder or arm restrictions, knee or leg problems, sports injuries, headaches, soft tissue injuries, postural concerns and much more.

Q: What can I expect on my initial visit?

During the initial visit, the therapist will ask questions about the history of the condition, assess the current problem, perform a physical examination, outline a treatment protocol and provide the first treatment. We encourage you to ask questions so that you understand how athletic therapy will help and how you can be an active participant in your own rehabilitation and prevention.

Q: What special treatment techniques does West Coast Kinesiology Orthopaedic Injury and Sports Therapy clinic offer?

The athletic therapists have an expansive range of current treatment approaches through professional continuing education, courses, teaching and experience in the field. We use a team approach to assist you with your needs.

• Manual therapy mobilization and muscle energy techniques for the spine, pelvis, cranium and all the joints of the arm and legs
• Muscle balance assessment and specific strengthening exercises
• Sports specific therapy
• Taping
• Soft tissue massage
• Myofascial release techniques
• Postural assessment and education
• Electrotherapy modalities when indicated (Ultrasound, Laser, Interferential Current, T.E.N.S., Muscle Stimulation)
• Core stabilization work
• Ball and balance board exercises
• Stationary bike, weights, pulleys, theraband exercises
• Active Release Techniques® (ART) for the lower extremities

For more information about Athletic Therapy click here.

Q: How long is a typical treatment session?

Appointments are typically 60 minutes with your kinesiologist and 30 to 60 minutes in duration with your athletic therapist depending on your treatment.

We pride ourselves in our treatment approach to your specific needs, so we make sure that ‘your scheduled appointment is your time’. This means that you can expect one-on-one evaluation, education and treatment with your athletic therapist or kinesiologist. Longer appointments are available when necessary.

Q: Is athletic therapy or kinesiology covered by my extended health provider?

Yes, on some plans, while others may not. The following Insurance Companies have accepted billing for Athletic Therapy. Please note that each individual policy will vary. Patients need to look into their individual insurance plan because although an insurance provider may offer Athletic Therapy as an option, the plan will be dependant on what services the employer has selected for their employees benefit package.

Aetna
Allsport Insurance Marketing
Canadian Hockey Association
Canada Life Assurance Company
Citadel Assurance
Clarica
The Co-Operators
Desjardins Financial Security
The Economical Insurance Group
Equitable Life of Canada
Great West Life Assurance Company
Greenshield
Industrial-Alliance Pacific
Laurentian Imperial
Liberty Health
Manulife Financial
Premier Life Insurance Company
Reliable Life Insurance Company
Segwich
Standard Life
Sun Life Financial
Wawanesa Life

University Student Plans
Langara College (LSU)
SFU (SFSS) Health Plan
UBC (AMS/GSS)
UFV - University of the Fraser Valley (SUS)

We treat clients with ICBC and Long Term Disability claims and if your coverage is approved, in most cases we just bill these insurers directly. The majority of extended health plans cover our services, but you need to pay us at the time of the appointment and submit your receipt to your plan for reimbursement. WCB and MSP do not cover our services at this time.

The following sporting bodies have coverage for Athletic Therapy.

BC Hockey
Hockey Canada
PRINTABLE HOCKEY CANADA INJURY REPORT FORM

BC Soccer Association
BC Amateur Baseball Association
Baseball BC
Basketball BC
BC Lacrosse Association
BC Rugby
Canoe/Kayak BC
Equine Canada (Equestrian)
Field Hockey BC
Gymnastics BC
Judo BC
Ringette Canada
Slo-pitch National Association
Snowboard BC
Softball BC
Squash BC
Swim BC
Triathlon BC (coverage)

CFL Players' Association
NHL Officials' Association
PRINTABLE ATHLETIC ACCIDENT CLAIM FORM

Skate Canada and Skate BC
Alpine Skiing BC  (summary of coverage document)
Provincial and Nationally carded athletes (CAIP) (Sports Insurance - Accidental Medical Form)

All of these associations cover Athletic Therapy, but each association may have slightly different procedures (like doctors signature forms, time lines for reporting injuries and total dollars covered) so you are encouraged to contact your association for more details. However, therapy can usually start right away and you submit receipts to the insurer to get reimbursed. Many of these associations have downloadable claim forms and information on their web-sites.

Q: How many sessions will it take?

After assessing you, we will have a better idea of how many sessions you will need. Some injuries are less complicated and require less one-to-one time. Other injuries are more complicated and may require regular attendance once, twice, or three times a week for a number of weeks. Examples of some of the more complicated injuries are rotator cuff, tennis elbow, lumbar disc injuries, carpal tunnel, and most shoulder and knee injuries. Injuries such as motor vehicle or long-term disability injuries are usually covered by insurers and normally take no more than 6 to 10 weeks of treatment.

Rehabilitation Services
We provide rehabilitation for a variety of conditions including:

HOW DOES THE SERVICE WORK?

• You don’t need a referral to see us. If you want your extended health plan to cover our services you will probably need a doctor/specialist referral or other health practitioner referral note.

• Initial consultation/assessment with an experienced athletic therapist or kinesiologist.

• Therapeutic treatment and/or active rehabilitation program.

• Follow-up treatments appropriate for your functional level and a frequency that is appropriate for your stage of injury.