A practitioner's hands support a patient's arm and shoulder during a hands-on assessment
FAQ
FAQ

ICBC Physiotherapy in Richmond BC: A Patient’s Guide After a Car Crash

Last reviewed: October 2026.

After a car crash in BC, you can start physiotherapy without a doctor’s note. At Artemis Wellness Clinic in Richmond, ICBC physiotherapy is with Colin, our Registered Physiotherapist. This guide covers each step, from opening a claim to what happens after 12 weeks.

ICBC physiotherapy at a glance

In the first 12 weeks after a crash, ICBC pre-approves up to 25 physiotherapy treatments, and your first assessment counts as one of them. You do not need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner, and you do not need ICBC approval to begin. Bring your ICBC claim number and your BC Personal Health Number (PHN).

ICBC rule (as of October 2026) What it means for you
Pre-approved visits Up to 25 in the first 12 weeks, first assessment included
After 12 weeks or 25 visits Colin works with your ICBC recovery specialist to request more; not automatic
Daily limit One funded treatment per practitioner type per day
Who caused the crash Enhanced Care covers you regardless of fault

ICBC can change these rules, so check its first-12-weeks page for updates. For other payers, see Do you need a referral for physiotherapy in BC?

Step 1: Open your ICBC claim

If you have not reported the crash to ICBC yet, do that first. You can report a claim online or by phone, and ICBC gives you a claim number once you report it. The clinic uses that number to bill ICBC directly, so have it ready when you book your first visit.

  • Online: report a claim on icbc.com (ICBC says online reporting is open 24 hours a day)
  • By phone: 604-520-8222 (Vancouver) or 1-800-910-4222 (toll-free), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, per ICBC

Step 2: What to bring to your first visit

Bring your ICBC claim number and your BC Personal Health Number (PHN). Also bring any reports you already have, such as hospital or doctor notes or imaging results, and a list of your medications. Most people can start physiotherapy without a scan. Wear comfortable clothes so Colin can see and gently test the area that hurts.

Shorts suit a knee or hip; a tank top suits a neck or shoulder. Our first physiotherapy appointment guide has a fuller checklist.

Step 3: Your first visit with Colin

Your first ICBC visit starts with an assessment, which counts as one of your 25 pre-approved treatments. Colin asks about the crash, your symptoms and what has become harder day to day, checks how you move, and explains what he finds in plain language. Together you set goals that matter to you, such as driving, working or sleeping more comfortably.

Colin’s approach centres on understanding the factors contributing to each person’s symptoms and building an individualized treatment plan to help them move with greater confidence and less discomfort. He combines hands-on treatment, exercise and education, and aims to make rehabilitation feel less daunting.

People often come in with neck pain and stiffness (whiplash), lower back pain, shoulder pain or knee pain from bracing in the crash. HealthLinkBC notes that whiplash symptoms may not appear until the day after the injury, so mention anything that appeared later. Follow-up visits continue with hands-on treatment, exercise and education aimed at your goals. Individual results vary.

Colin holds a Master of Physiotherapy (McMaster University) and a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology (UBC), and is licensed with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC); you can check his licence on the CHCPBC public registry. He speaks English and Chinese. Read more on Colin’s profile.

After 12 weeks or 25 visits: asking ICBC for more

Pre-approved coverage ends once 12 weeks have passed since the crash or you have used your pre-approved physiotherapy visits. If you still need treatment, Colin works with your ICBC recovery specialist to ask for more, explaining your progress and goals. Approval is not automatic: ICBC reviews each request and decides.

  • Tell us early. Mention it when you near 12 weeks or your 25th visit, so there is time to ask ICBC before your pre-approved treatments run out.
  • Stay in touch. ICBC suggests contacting your recovery specialist every 2 to 3 weeks, even to say things are going fine.
  • Know your options. Outside an ICBC approval, extended health or self-pay may apply; see our physiotherapy cost and direct billing guide.

Combining physiotherapy with massage therapy and acupuncture

One ICBC claim can cover more than one type of treatment. As of October 2026, ICBC also pre-approves up to 12 registered massage therapy and 12 acupuncture treatments in the first 12 weeks. It funds one treatment per practitioner type per day: physiotherapy and massage on the same day can both be funded, but two physiotherapy visits cannot.

At Artemis Pre-approved in the first 12 weeks Read more
Physiotherapy with Colin Up to 25 Physiotherapy in Richmond
Registered massage therapy (RMT) Up to 12 ICBC massage therapy guide
Acupuncture with Mandy Tam, R.Ac, or Ethan Choi, R.Ac, R.TCMP, DOMP Up to 12 ICBC acupuncture guide

Read more about registered massage therapy and acupuncture.

Billing: what you may pay

We bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments. If part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment. ICBC updates its rates from time to time, so ask reception about any charge when you book.

ICBC pays up to its own approved rates, which do not include user fees. For extended health plans, see our direct billing and insurance page.

When to see a doctor or go to emergency first

Physiotherapy is not emergency care. After a crash, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have signs of a serious neck, spine or head injury. If you are unsure whether something needs a medical check, see a doctor before your first physiotherapy visit. Colin will also tell you if anything he finds needs one.

Get medical care first if you notice:

  • Severe neck pain, or you cannot move your head
  • Pain down one or both arms, or new numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms, hands, chest or legs
  • Passing out, confusion, extreme sleepiness, repeated vomiting or a worsening headache
  • Slurred speech, unsteady walking or new vision problems
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs
  • Pain that keeps getting worse, or comes back after it had settled

See HealthLinkBC on whiplash and head injury.

Booking ICBC physiotherapy in Richmond

Artemis Wellness Clinic is at 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond, BC V6X 0K9, near Brighouse SkyTrain station on the Canada Line. The clinic is open 7 days a week, 8 am to 8 pm, and Colin’s available times are shown on Jane. Walk-ins are accepted, but booking ahead on Jane is the easiest way to get a time.

  • Parking: free stalls 47 and 48 behind the unit (enter from Ackroyd Road or Firbridge Way; the parkade is closed on Saturdays and Sundays), paid street parking on the side street, and free 3-hour parking at the PriceSmart plaza across the street on Ackroyd Road.
  • Language: our team serves patients in English, and Colin also speaks Chinese. Family members or friends are welcome to come along to help.

Book online at artemis.janeapp.com or call 604-242-2233.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor’s referral for ICBC physiotherapy?
No. In the first 12 weeks after a crash, you can start without a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner and without ICBC approval. Bring your claim number and BC PHN.

How many physiotherapy treatments does ICBC cover?
As of October 2026, up to 25 in the first 12 weeks, including the first assessment. After that, Colin can ask your ICBC recovery specialist for more; approval is not automatic.

How soon after a crash can I start physiotherapy?
You can start once you have reported your claim and have your claim number. Pre-approved treatments apply in the first 12 weeks after the crash. If you have any of the warning signs above, see a doctor or go to emergency first.

Can I have physiotherapy and massage therapy on the same day?
Yes. ICBC funds one treatment per practitioner type per day, so physiotherapy and massage can both be funded on one day, but two physiotherapy visits cannot.

Will I have to pay anything for ICBC physiotherapy?
We bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments. If part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment.

Does it matter who caused the crash?
No. ICBC’s Enhanced Care covers you regardless of who caused the crash.

Can Colin explain things in Chinese?
Yes. Colin speaks English and Chinese.

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