How acupuncture can help you recover from a motor vehicle accident

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat musculoskeletal pain. What’s unfortunate is that one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain is motor vehicle accidents. In British Columbia, there are care options available if you’re a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist who has been involved in a car accident.

As of April 1, 2019, ICBC automatically covers 12 acupuncture treatments for patients who have sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident. A doctor’s referral is not necessary unless the accident occurred over three months ago or if you are requesting more than the allotted coverage. Remember, it doesn’t matter who is at fault for the crash, all parties involved are eligible for medical benefits.

ICBC has added acupuncture to its list of approved rehabilitation treatments because of how effective it is for treating motor vehicle accidents. It supports the recovery process in a number of ways including:

1) Treating whiplash, back pain and other injuries

Acupuncture has long been recognized by the World Health Organization as a safe and beneficial way to alleviate pain. Symptoms of whiplash, back pain, neck pain, and headaches have also been found to diminish after multiple acupuncture sessions.

When hair-thin needles are placed in various points, endorphins are released which reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and activate the body’s natural pain killers. Unlike prescription pain killers, acupuncture comes with very few side effects and offers a drug-free way to manage pain.

2) Jumpstarting the body’s natural healing process

If you sustained soft tissue injuries after a motor vehicle accident, one of the best things you can do is to receive care as soon as possible. Acupuncture stimulates neurotransmitters which kick-start your body’s natural healing process. This helps to prevent injuries from setting in and becoming chronic.

3) Relieving stress and PTSD

From the trauma of the crash to the hassle of dealing with insurance agents, car accidents can take a huge emotional toll on you. The good news is acupuncture can help combat stress and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Acupuncture slows the production of stress hormones while boosting the body’s production of serotonin. These processes leave you feeling relaxed and in a better state of mind.

If you’re clinically diagnosed with anxiety or depression, consult your doctor first before starting acupuncture or making any changes to your prescribed treatment plan.

4) Complementing other therapies like massage and physiotherapy

Acupuncture works in conjunction with other solutions like chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage therapy. Incorporating different therapies enhances the effectiveness of each one which results in a more complete recovery plan. For example, a massage relaxes your body which makes you even more receptive to acupuncture.

ICBC also provides 12 registered massage therapy treatments and 25 physiotherapy sessions in the event of a motor vehicle accident.