Chiropractic Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Care

 

If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) in Alberta, seeking prompt assessment is one of the most important steps you can take. Early evaluation helps identify injuries, guides appropriate treatment, and ensures the necessary documentation is completed for your insurance claim.

 

Under Alberta's MVA insurance system, individuals should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, within **10 days** of their accident. Delaying assessment may affect your eligibility for insurer-funded treatment.

At Radix Pain & Rehabilitation Centre, we provide comprehensive assessment and evidence-based chiropractic treatment for patients recovering from motor vehicle accident injuries in Edmonton and the surrounding area.

 

Most eligible MVA claims are direct billed, meaning there is typically no out-of-pocket cost for approved treatment.

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Your Initial MVA Assessment

 

Your first appointment is scheduled for **one hour**, allowing sufficient time to thoroughly assess your injuries and document your condition.

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This assessment is an important part of your recovery because it allows us to:

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• Identify all accident-related injuries

• Develop an individualized treatment plan

• Complete the documentation required by your insurer

• Create accurate medical records should legal proceedings ever become necessary

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Before Your Appointment

 

Before attending your first visit, please complete the Alberta **AB-1 Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim** form.

Please also have the following information available:

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• Date of the accident

• Insurance company

• Insurance policy number

• Claim number

• Name of your claims adjuster

• Fax number for your claims adjuster (we do not transmit personal health information by standard email)

• Having this information available helps us begin direct billing as quickly as possible.

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What Happens During My First Visit?

 

Your chiropractor will begin by discussing:

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• How the accident occurred

• Your current symptoms

• Your medical history

• Any previous injuries that may affect your recovery

• A comprehensive physical examination will then be performed to assess and document injuries involving the spine, joints, muscles, nerves, and supporting tissues.

• Following the assessment, your chiropractor will explain:

• Your diagnosis

• Expected recovery

• Recommended treatment plan

• Whether additional testing is required

• If it is safe to do so, treatment often begins during your first appointment.

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When Are Additional Tests Needed?

 

Most patients do NOT require imaging before beginning treatment.

 

However, if your examination suggests a more significant injury, your chiropractor may recommend additional investigations such as:

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• X-rays

• Ultrasound

• MRI

• CT imaging (when appropriate)

 

If additional testing is required, we will coordinate your care with your family physician, specialists, or other healthcare providers so your recovery continues as efficiently as possible.

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What Does Treatment at Radix Look Like?

 

Every appointment at Radix is delivered one-on-one with your chiropractor.

 

During your treatment, your chiropractor may incorporate:

 

• Spinal manipulation

• Joint mobilization

• Soft tissue therapy

• Rehabilitation exercises

• Movement retraining

• Education to help you recover safely

 

Treatment is always provided with your informed consent. If there is any technique you are uncomfortable with, simply let us know. Your care will always be tailored to your preferences and comfort level.

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Why Is Radix Different?

 

Many patients tell us they notice the difference immediately.

 

Rather than rotating between multiple treatment rooms or leaving patients unattended while machines run, we dedicate your appointment time to hands-on clinical care.

 

Instead of spending much of your visit on passive therapies such as heat packs or electrical stimulation, we focus on treatments that require your chiropractor's skill and don't do things we know you can do just as well at home! Dr. Ho and heat packs are available on Amazon.

 

When supportive therapies are appropriate, we'll often teach you how to perform them safely at home alongside your rehabilitation exercises. This approach allows your clinic visits to focus on the treatments that provide the greatest value while making your recovery more convenient and cost-effective.

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Can I Also Receive Massage Therapy, Physiotherapy, or Acupuncture?

 

Absolutely.

 

Recovery after a motor vehicle accident often benefits from a collaborative approach.

 

While our expertise is in diagnosing and treating spinal, neurological, vestibular, and musculoskeletal injuries, we frequently work alongside:

 

• Physiotherapists

• Registered Massage Therapists

• Acupuncturists

• Family physicians

• Medical specialists

• Psychologists and other mental health professionals

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Whether you would like Radix to coordinate your care or simply be one member of your healthcare team, we're happy to work collaboratively with your other providers.

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Can I Transfer My Care to Radix?

 

Yes.

 

You are always free to choose the healthcare provider you feel is the best fit for your recovery.

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However, Alberta insurers are generally responsible for funding only **one initial assessment** for each profession following a motor vehicle accident.

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In some circumstances, insurers will approve a second assessment, but this requires authorization from your claims adjuster. If approval is not granted, the assessment fee would be your responsibility.

 

Once your assessment has been completed, we can usually continue direct billing your remaining chiropractic treatment benefits for the balance of your approved MVA coverage.

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