If you need whiplash treatment in Ontario, due to a a motor vehicle accident, it can be difficult to know what steps to take to move forward. In the province of Ontario, the process for access physical rehabilitation care is quite simple and straight forward, unlike some of the other forms and process that one must deal with after a motor vehicle accident. Here are some of the steps that you should take to get access to care in Ontario.
Complete the OCF-1
This form must be completed to obtain any benefits from your auto insurer. If you have not completed this form, it can be accessed here. Once you have completed and submitted this form you can begin to access benefits from your auto insurer, including physical rehabilitation services.
2. Finding a Health Services Provider
In Ontario, anyone who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to care. If your injury was more serious you may have been taken to hospital, and it may have been determined. that you have a non-minor injury (this includes, but is not limited to, fractures, dislocations, concussions and some mental health changes) and you will likely require treatment for longer periods of time. For those who have not suffered any of the accidents above, like in the case of many whiplash grade 1 and whiplash grade 2 injuries, you are able to access through something called the minor injury guideline. This is a pre-approved framework that allows people with minor injuries from a motor vehicle to have physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage services paid for by their automotive insurer. Most chiropractors and physiotherapists, in Ontario are familiar with the forms required to help their patients access care. These forms allow for 12 weeks of treatment with a chiropractor or physiotherapist of your choice. There is an option to apply for more treatment, under the minor injury injury guideline, if it is needed.
3. When to See Your Medical Doctor
You do not need to have to see your doctor to access the physical rehabilitation care that is mentioned above. But it is often a good idea to see your medical doctor regarding any injury from a motor vehicle accident. This makes sure that the injury is documented by your medical doctor and if they think there are any tests or treatment that might help you, beyond physical rehabilitation, they can be accessed.
4. What should treatment for whiplash and other injuries include?
Whiplash treatment should look a little different for each person, because these injuries, like the people who suffer from them are unique, but treatments should often include some form of pain relief. This can come in the form of hands on treatment of the muscle and joints, acupuncture, heat/ice, or some type of electrical modality. Treatments should also include some form of education about the injury, some advice about how to get the most out of treatment, and exercises to improve strength and movement.
The instructions described above are small amount of the some of the complicated hurtles that one might need to navigate after a motor vehicle accident. For this reason, there are many cases where it is important to have a team working to help you in your recovery. Professionals who can be part of this team include: occupational therapists, psychologists/psychotherapists, case workers, personal service workers and lawyers. Whenever you are going through something difficult, it is important to have good people around you work are working to get you where you need to be.
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