Why You Should See a Kinesiologist or Athletic Therapist Following Your ICBC Accident
When it comes to selecting a rehab specialist following your ICBC accident, either a Kinesiologist or Athletic Therapist can be a beneficial decision to treat symptoms and return to pain-free movement with an optimum level of function.
The question is, which treatment option is right for you?
Throughout this article, we will discuss the importance of Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy rehab services and how they may benefit you following your ICBC accident. By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of each active rehab modality to help you save time and allow you to make a well-informed decision on your recovery plan. Since ICBC covers your rehab sessions, you’ll save money along the way as well!
Car Accidents, Injuries and ICBC Claims
The physical consequences of motor vehicle accidents can worsen the longer you wait to attend active rehabilitation. Fortunately, ICBC covers a wide range of active rehabilitation services to help eliminate your treatment costs and get you on the path to recovery with ease.
ICBC active rehab is a customized treatment plan created by either a Kinesiologist or Athletic Therapist to help you address and manage your pain by addressing muscle weakness or imbalances to help you get back to moving and feeling better than ever before.
How it Works
Following the initial assessment, you’ll be pre-approved for 12 sessions with your recovery specialist within the first 12 weeks of your accident. In most cases, patients will receive ongoing active rehab treatment for 1-2 days every week for over 12 weeks in order to get them on the right path.
If you’re past the 12-week time frame from your accident, you can still receive treatment! However, we will need to perform an initial assessment before submitting your treatment plan to your ICBC adjuster. A doctor’s note that supports your treatment may also be required.
For more information, check out our latest post on ICBC coverage for Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy.
Other ICBC active rehab treatments include:
Physiotherapy
Massage therapy
Occupational therapy
Acupuncture
Chiropractic care
Common physical symptoms you may experience after a car accident
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Car accidents can be incredibly traumatic and can put our bodies under immense physical stress. Although not every motor vehicle accident is the same, this type of stress on the body can cause common physical symptoms and injury.
While bracing for impact, we unintentionally overexert our muscles to the point of swelling or inflammation which can contribute to pain or immobility following an accident. Even in a rear-end car accident where you may not be prepared to brace for impact, the counterforce of the collision can put an immense strain on your neck and back muscles.
Our bodies are designed to withstand only so much force. As an outcome of the physical trauma of a motor vehicle accident, it’s common to have bruising, muscle and ligament tears, muscle spasms, nerve damage, headaches or migraines and even a herniated disc.
Recovering from Injury with Active Rehabilitation
There are a ton of impressive benefits to working with an active rehab specialist following an accident. Throughout this treatment process, you will:
Engage in a personalized recovery plan to help you return to normal daily activities
Manage your symptoms early to prevent long-term damage and pain
Restore function, mobility, strength and stability
Kinesiology: What To Expect
A Kinesiologist is an active rehab and human movement specialist knowledgeable in anatomy, physiology, neurology and motor control. Engaging in an active based approach, Kinesiologists are trained to address motor vehicle accident injuries, provide rehabilitation following surgery, create balance and fall prevention plans and offer strength and conditioning guidance for patients of all ages.
Benefits of Kinesiology Treatment
After a car accident, a Kinesiologist can help you in the following ways:
Assess the root cause of your pain
Offer early detection and correction of muscle imbalances
Improve muscle strength
Reduce pain during rest and movement
Athletic Therapy: What to Expect
An Athletic Therapist specializes in treating acute and chronic injuries to bones, muscles and joints. While there is a large component of athletic therapy that addresses sport-specific injuries, many clients choose to forego treatment for their car accident injuries as well.
Using specialized skills, athletic therapists are capable of addressing most musculoskeletal issues in the effort of relieving pain and improving quality of life.
Benefits of Athletic Therapy Treatment
Athletic therapists are experts in injury assessment, prevention and rehabilitation. Throughout your sessions, you’ll receive a practical injury recovery program that includes:
Manual techniques and therapies
A customized exercise rehab plan to address pain, imbalances and immobility
Bracing and taping (if necessary)
Combining light exercises and an assortment of effective techniques, athletic therapists are able to help you improve your range of motion, release muscle tension, address soft tissue trauma and assess your progress throughout to optimize recovery time.
Why Choose Wildewood Health for Active Rehabilitation?
Image licenced by Wildewood Health
At Wildewood Health, we offer evidence-based, reliable approaches to rehabilitation and intervention. Our team of experienced Kinesiologists and Athletic Therapists are dedicated to helping you achieve your optimal level of function and greatest quality of life.
ICBC Claims and Wildewood Health
Motor vehicle accidents can be incredibly traumatic – not only for your physical self but for your mental health and well-being as well. We recognize and empathize with you as you move through these next steps of your recovery. As difficult as they may be, we want to help!
Wildewood Health is a proud service provider of ICBC. Should you be injured in a car accident, we will bill ICBC directly to help get you on the path to recovery sooner and at zero additional cost. That’s right, no treatment fees!!
Any accidents that took place after May 1, 2021, are pre-approved for 12 sessions of Kinesiology or Athletic Therapy. Before this date, you can still receive a treatment plan but it’s best to book your initial assessment with us first before we submit an ICBC claim.
Contact Us Today
For more information, contact us today by emailing admin@wildewoodhealth.com or phoning us at 250-824-0651. We look forward to hearing from you.
We are a dedicated team of exercise experts with over 25 years of combined experience. We are passionate about sharing our knowledge with our clients, community and allied professionals.
Wildewood Health is growing! We are hiring an Administrator!
Wildewood Health is currently seeking an administrator to join our teaml
what is WILDEWOOD HEALTH?
Wildewood Health is Nanaimo’s leading Rehabilitation, Health, and Performance clinic, opening its doors in June of 2021. Wildewood Health has a diverse team of athletic therapists, kinesiologists, physiotherapists, and chiropractors. Wildewood Health has a state-of the art facility with private treatment rooms, a large performance gym, and active rehabilitation space. Wildewood Health is conveniently located in central Nanaimo, behind Country Club mall.
summary
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Administrator to become an integral member of our team. The Administrator will be responsible for overseeing the smooth functioning of the clinic’s administrative management, scheduling, patient relations, and more. The successful candidate will have exceptional organizational skills, strong communication abilities, coupled with a great attitude. This role is crucial in ensuring efficient day-to-day operations, excellent patient service, and effective coordination between staff members.
KEY JOB DUTIES:
Administrator duties (i.e., answering the phone, checking the general inbox)
Client relations
qualities/values we are looking for:
Career orientated/ looking to advance their career.
Team player working within a dynamic team.
Positive attitude with exceptional client relation skills.
Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with lots of company growth.
EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE:
Desired education/ experience/ knowledge an asset. Willing to train the right candidate.
Bachelor’s degree in business/ management or another related field.
Client relation experience.
Previous healthcare/ clinical experience.
Jane App experience.
Microsoft office experience – excel, word, power point
If interested, please email resume and cover letter to admin@wildewoodhealth.com.
Applications will be open from April 17th – 26th and interviews will take place from April 29th – May 3rd. The right applicant will be expected to start work by May 21st or soon after.
Shirin
kinesiologist
Shirin attended Simon Fraser University, where she graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science. Her major in Kinesiology, with a specialization in Active Health and Rehabilitation, showcased her deep interest in exercise prescription and its impact on overall well-being. Inspired by her upbringing on Vancouver Island, where she loved to play games and sports outdoors, Shirin’s love for sports rehabilitation and exercise therapy grew. This passion led her to pursue a kinesiology major, where she gained valuable experience volunteering with diverse populations, including Special Olympic athletes and children with developmental disabilities. This work ignited her desire to create inclusive movement and exercise programs for people of all abilities, emphasizing the importance of enjoyable and manageable physical activity.
Throughout her life, Shirin has played several different sports, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and golf. Among these, golf emerged as her true passion, leading her to play at the collegiate level for SFU. Under her leadership, the team achieved two victories, including the 2023 Conference Championship . This experience heightened Shirin’s appreciation for the power of athletics and the joy of movement. Motivated by the values of teamwork, camaraderie, competition, and fun, she became an advocate for youth engagement in sports, supporting junior programs at local golf courses. Shirin’s involvement in varsity sports also cultivated her passion for working with athletes and assisting them in their injury recovery and maintenance.
In her spare time, you’ll find Shirin exploring the mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park, camping by a lake, or attempting to learn a new activity such as pickleball or disc golf.
Adult Level 1
Strength & Conditioning (female only)
This program is designed for the adult who knows the benefits of strength and conditioning but has little / none lifting experience or prefers a slower pace to their class.
This program will help the adult learn fundamental movement patterns and how to structure workouts so they feel comfortable doing so on their own. This program is the building blocks for ‘Level 2 – Intermediate’ should the adult want to progress.
How our classes work:
Buy a punch pass 10 for $175 or 20 for $310.
Sign up for the classes you can make! Should spaces become limited, additional sessions will be added.
What is included:
75 minute strength and conditioning classes offered in the morning and evening time slots.
At home mobility program.
Small, inclusive environment, up to 5 adults plus coach.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) leading the programs
Is your daughter interested in weight lifting but you/ her aren’t sure where to start?
Are you looking for a small environment for your daughter to start lifting?
Is your daughter a multisport athletes and is looking at leveling up hear strength and conditioning?
Do you want your daughter to learn strength and conditioning from a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)?
Introduction to lifting is a Semi-private strength development for the female athlete. This program includes 8 weeks of intensive training to cover fundamental movement patterns, fundamental lifting principles and understand the basics of structuring a well ordered strength and conditioning plan.
What does it include?
1 x weekly sessions for 8 weeks
1 x weekly at home sessions to practice each week
Weekly check ins with their coach to answer all questions
Small, inclusive, female environment with a 4:1 coach to athlete ratio
As the receptionist/ administrator, you would be expected to work the front desk and be the first thing people see! Duties can include but are not limited to:
Answering the phone/ managing the inbox
Supporting with billing procedures, month end, etc.
Client tracking sheets and support
Qualities / Values we are looking for:
Passionate about activity and movement.
Can work in a team environment but independently as well.
You have a desire to learn and grow.
You have a positive, can do attitude, even-keel and drama free.
You are looking for a position to grow into and set your roots.
You want to be part of a great team, who considers you family.
Your Education/ Experience/ Knowledge:
Asset to have certain skills and a combination but willing to hire the right candidate and train on necessary skills as needed.
Previous administrator/ front desk experience
Customer service experience
Medical administrator experience or direct billing experience
QuickBooks experience
Jane experience
Excel experience
Employment includes statutory holidays, vacation pay, benefits (after 6 months) and more! Wildewood Health also provides weekly education seminars and continuing education credits.
Application is open until the right candidate is hired. Individuals will be interviewed on a rolling basis.
Pediatric Kinesiologist/ Interventionist
we are hiring!
Job Description
Wildewood Health supports youth across Vancouver Island. We work with youth to develop functional movement skills, fine and gross motor skills and help children accomplish their physical education goals. The right candidate will work with us, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other team members to provide rehabilitation programs to children of varying abilities and skills from ages 3-18+.
Your role would be to follow treatment plans from physiotherapists and occupational therapists to ensure kiddos with varying abilities and needs are accomplishing their functional goals. Programs might take place in various cities, centers, parks and our clinic space.
Qualities / Values we are looking for:
Passionate about working with special needs kids/ children.
Able to work independently but also in a team environment.
Strong communication skills with your team and clients.
Creative to ensure programs and enjoyable AND effective.
You have a desire to learn and grow.
You have a positive, can-do attitude, even-keel, and drama free.
You are looking for a position to grow into and set your roots.
You want to be part of a great team, who considers you family.
Your Education/ Experience/ Knowledge:
Previous experience working with the special needs’ population, including those that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, OR working with children of all ages and abilities.
Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or additional education other than Dogwood Diploma or 3 + years of experience.
Worked in a multi-disciplinary place or clinic (an asset)
Have a governing body (BCAK) and hold insurance (an asset).
Employment includes statutory holidays, vacation pay, benefits (after 6 months) and more! Wildewood Health also provides weekly education seminars and continuing education credits.
We are looking for a kinesiologist to join our team to work with many different populations. Their role could include both mobile and clinic shifts. They will be expected to work with chronic pain clients, pre- and post-surgical clients, life performance, sport performance and more!
Qualities / Values we are looking for:
Passionate about kinesiology.
Able to work independently but also in a team environment.
Strong communication skills with your team and clients.
Creative to ensure programs and enjoyable AND effective.
You have a desire to learn and grow.
You have a positive, can-do attitude, even-keel, and drama free.
You are looking for a position to grow into and set your roots.
You want to be part of a great team, who considers you family.
Your Education/ Experience/ Knowledge:
Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or something similar.
In Good Standing BCAK + 5 million liability insurance
Strength and Conditioning certification (an asset).
Masters in Kinesiology/ physiology/ rehabilitation (an asset).
Employment includes statutory holidays, vacation pay, benefits (after 6 months) and more! Wildewood Health also provides weekly education seminars and continuing education credits.
Application is open until the right candidate is hired. Individuals will be interviewed on a rolling basis.
Athletic Therapist
we are hiring!
Job Description
We are looking for an athletic therapist to join our team to work with many different populations. This position would start July 1st, 2023 and look like a combination of clinic and field placement work.
Qualities / Values we are looking for:
Passionate about activity and movement.
Can work in a team environment but independently as well.
You have a desire to learn and grow.
You have a positive, can do attitude, even-keel and drama free.
You are looking for a position to grow into and set your roots.
Strong communication skills with your team and clients.
You want to be part of a great team, who considers you family.
Your Education/ Experience/ Knowledge:
Candidate must be registered with ATABC and CATA with maintained status.
Candidate must have at least 5 million general liability.
Other certifications an asset!
Employment includes statutory holidays, vacation pay, benefits (after 6 months) and more! Wildewood Health also provides weekly education seminars and continuing education credits.
Application is open until the right candidate is hired. Individuals will be interviewed on a rolling basis.
Travis
Office Manager & Kinesiologist
Travis Michelson is a Kinesiologist who moved from Sunny, South Africa, to the small Island town of Nanaimo, BC. He grew up playing every sport under the sun and being involved in any activity that kept him moving. This passion for moving and being involved in an active lifestyle led him to pursue a career where he can use this love. He completed his studies in 2010 at the University of Johannesburg and has since worked with various individuals to help them enjoy life to the fullest using exercise as a modality. The body was designed to move, and Travis is a big believer in using exercise as a form of medicine to help people achieve their various goals. Your body can become very resilient if stimulated correctly, and you can often achieve much more than you thought by giving your body the correct “medicine.”
Travis has helped various individuals reach their personal goals, such as completing their first triathlon, running their first half marathon, or being able to play with their grandchildren pain-free.
Travis enjoys trail running, swimming, and any sport involving a ball. You might see him running up and down Mount Benson in the snow during the winter or paddling around Neck Point or Westwood Lake with his lovely wife and two beautiful kids in the summer months.
Lauren
Kinesiologist
Lauren graduated from Vancouver Island University with a Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2023. Throughout their time as a student, Lauren had the opportunity to work in a variety of multi-sport coaching roles with youth in Nanaimo, most notably coaching female hockey for many years with Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association.
Growing up in Nanaimo, Lauren played any sport that was available and came to high school, they narrowed their focus to hockey and softball. Having led an active lifestyle growing up, Lauren values the importance of fundamental movement skills and fitness and believes that physical literacy is freedom that every person of every ability deserves. Having also had personal experience with sports injuries, they’ve seen firsthand how effective active rehab is to get people back to doing what they love. Lauren is excited to offer exercise as a tool help treat pain and improve performance whether it be for sports or everyday life for all ages.
Today Lauren stays active by training for Olympic weightlifting, playing hockey, and joining in the occasional game of dodgeball. With a competitive spirit and a love for challenge, Lauren is always looking for new sports to play or a new physical challenge to take on.
Jenna
Athletic Therapist & Kinesiologist
Jenna graduated from the Bachelors of Athletic and Exercise Therapy program at Camosun College in 2022. Throughout her time as a student, she had the opportunity to work in a multitude of sports at Shawnigan Lake School. In addition, she worked with high-performance athletes at Rugby Canada, which was an incredible experience and personal goal of hers.
Using exercise as a tool for injury, pain, and lifestyle changes, Jenna is keen to work with all populations. She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, which is applicable to all the athletes she works with. Jenna has always led a healthy, active lifestyle and knows the importance of this is for people’s happiness, livelihoods, and overall wellness. When working with her clients, she wants to ensure that their bodies don’t stand in the way of doing what they love, whether that be injury prevention, pain management, lifting and so much more.
In her spare time, you can catch Jenna playing for the Cowichan Piggies on the rugby pitch, or with those same teammates attempting to play with a pig skin in flag football. She loves living on this beautiful island, and she is always looking for more suggestions on where to go hiking or paddling.
Katy
Kinesiologist
Katy Wright is a registered kinesiologist living in Nanaimo, BC. She received her Bachelors of Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University in 2020. Katy has lived in Nanaimo for 14 years and is passionate about making a positive difference in her community.
In her youth, Katy enjoyed participating in a variety of sports and athletics. She played on organized sports teams including basketball, volleyball, and softball, and also enjoyed creative activities like dance lessons. Growing up on the island, Katy favored seasonal activities like snowboarding in the winter and kayaking in the summer. Currently, Katy stays active by going to the gym and spending time in the beautiful outdoors of BC.
During her undergrad, Katy had the opportunity to learn about the various fundamental movement skills associated with different activities and sports. She is committed to advocating for inclusive play and adaptive activities for atypical children. She understands the importance of developing lifelong habits like physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being. Katy has always had the right enthusiasm and energy to work with young children and enjoys getting creative. She is never shy to sing, dance, or get silly! Her interest in human anatomy and fundamental movement skills was what inspired her to pursue kinesiology as a profession.
In her spare time, Katy enjoys practicing her guitar, singing, and dancing. She loves to spend time having fun with her family and friends. Katy has been a vegetarian for the last 7 years and is passionate about sustainable eating practices. She has a little black tabby cat named Lucy who loves to cuddle and play.
Jalin
Athletic Therapist
Jalin Couper is a registered Athletic Therapist here in Nanaimo, British Columbia. She received her Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy at Camosun College in 2017. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in 2014. Her passion is getting everyone back to doing what they love from gardening to rec soccer to national competitions.
Her passion for athletics started at an early age, playing a variety of sports. It was a rare night that she was not at some sporting event or another. To this day not much has changed, now instead of wearing a jersey she is there providing medical care for athletes of all skill levels, keeping them on the field of play. Her eagerness to help people return to sport/activity came from dealing with her own injuries which fueled her desire to learn more about the human body along with the best ways to rehabilitate post-injury.
Over the past 10 years, Jalin has been working with a variety of athletes from all skill levels and ages. She works with teams like VI Raiders Football to Sr. B Men’s Timbermen Lacrosse to Rugby Canada’s Youth and Senior National teams.
Jalin’s treatment plans are very hands-on and personalized to the specific needs of the client. She will be with you every step of the way from injury through clinical rehabilitation back to a full return to play or activity, till you have reached your goals.
When not in the clinic you can find Jalin lacing up the skates at the rink or exploring the forests with her pup Nikko.
Lucas
Athletic Therapist & Kinesiologist
Lucas is a graduate from the Athletic and Exercise Therapy (BAET) program at Camosun College in Victoria B.C. Lucas has experience working with a range of athletes, from the weekend warrior up to national level rugby players. You will find Lucas using his knowledge of rehabilitation through a range of manual treatment and exercise therapy.
Lucas grew up snowboarding and playing competitive lacrosse, through which his love of sport and physical activity, as well as personal experience with multiple injuries led him to pursue Athletic Therapy. Lucas saw the value of exercise therapy first hand and wants to help everybody get back to their full potential, on or off the field.
Lucas has worked as a Student Athletic Therapist with the Jr Shamrocks Lacrosse team on their way to a runner up finish at the Minto Cup, Canadas Jr National Championships. Following that season, joined Rugby Canada in their preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.
Lucas works in a goal-oriented style helping you get back to sport or just every day life as quickly and safely as possible. Whatever the end goal, he is there to help along the way.
If he isn’t at the clinic you can most likely find him mountain biking with his dog Kai up in the hills surrounding Nanaimo.
Krista
Kinesiologist
Krista Whittaker is a registered Kinesiologist located on beautiful Vancouver Island in Nanaimo, BC. She received her Bachelor of Kinesiology at UBC, completing in 2016. Krista takes pride in working with many different populations.
As an athlete herself, Krista has always had a fascination for the study of human movement and a great understanding of the human body. Krista has been able to take her passion and mold it into the career that best suits her, an industry-leading kinesiologist. Putting people and relationships first, Krista builds on this to ensure positive and effective intervention.
Krista has gained over 10 years of experience working with children who have learning disabilities. She has volunteered at many different agencies including Soccer Dogs, Special Olympics, Active Start and Claro life. All of these programs have given Krista indescribable experience working with children and a keen, unique perspective on intervention. Krista is able to build positive relationships with the kids she works with, leading to greater intervention and development. Krista leads with child-centered care, always putting the child first.
Krista is always wanting to learn more and has a constant drive for continuing education. Having her experience and knowledge, Krista has an innate ability to break down movements, apply evidence- based practice and correct movements in fun and creative ways. She is able to restore dysfunction and/or painful movement patterns. This assists her in all the populations she works with.
When Krista is not practicing, you’ll find her reading, studying and continuing to build on her passions. Krista also likes to explore the great outdoors and does lots of camping, fishing, snowboarding and hiking. When Krista does have a spare second, she often finds herself baking in the kitchen, her specialty being chocolate, peanut butter cupcake.
Certifications
BKIN – UBC (May 2016)
Advanced Exercise Prescription (September 2017)
Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation ( November 2018)
Behaviour Interventionist (May 2019)
Functional Movement Specialist (May 2020)
Soft Tissue Release Certification (November 2020)
Masters of Science in Kinesiology (ongoing)
Strength and Conditioning certification (ongoing)
Wildewood Health = When I first started my health care journey, I wanted to practice in senior health and increase independent living. This passion stemmed from my realizing how lucky I was to have all my grandparents alive and well for my childhood. I was even luckier to have two strong, intelligent, whole-hearted grandmas by my side. This is where the name comes from, Wilde being my grannies maiden name and wood being my grandmas. Having their strength, wit and love fuelling me everyday.
