Frequently Asked
Questions.

No. In British Columbia, you can see a physiotherapist directly without a doctor’s referral. This is called “direct access” and applies to all registered physiotherapists in BC. You can book an appointment at Move to Motion whenever you feel you need one — whether it’s for a new injury, chronic pain, post-surgical rehab, or a preventive assessment.

The only exception is if you’re claiming through a third party that requires a referral. Most extended health plans do not require one, but ICBC and WorkSafeBC have their own processes — see our ICBC and WorkSafeBC pages for details.

Most extended health benefit plans in BC cover physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy. The amount varies by plan — typically $500–$1,500 per year per discipline. We direct bill to Pacific Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, Great-West Life, Desjardins, ClaimSecure, Johnson, and most other major insurers, so you only pay the difference (if any) at the time of your visit.

ICBC pre-approves 25 physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage sessions within the first 12 weeks of a motor vehicle accident — no referral needed. WorkSafeBC covers physiotherapy for accepted workplace injury claims. Check with your HR department or insurance provider for your specific coverage details, or call us at (604) 999-4442 and we can help you figure it out.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows your therapist to access the area being treated. For lower body issues (back, hip, knee, ankle), shorts or athletic pants work best. For upper body issues (neck, shoulder, elbow), a tank top or t-shirt is ideal. If you’re coming straight from work, that’s completely fine — we have change rooms available.

For acupuncture sessions, loose clothing that can be rolled up above the knees and elbows is helpful. You won’t need to remove all your clothing — your practitioner will work around what you’re wearing and drape appropriately to keep you comfortable.

Your initial assessment is typically 45–60 minutes. This includes a thorough evaluation of your condition, hands-on treatment, and a tailored home exercise program. Follow-up sessions are usually 30–45 minutes depending on the complexity of your condition and the treatments involved.

The number of sessions varies widely based on your condition. A straightforward muscle strain might resolve in 3–5 sessions. Chronic pain or post-surgical rehab may require 10–20 sessions over several months. Your therapist will give you an honest estimate after your first visit and adjust the plan as you progress. We never prescribe unnecessary sessions — the goal is to get you better as efficiently as possible.

Both are regulated healthcare professions that treat musculoskeletal conditions, but they differ in approach. Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement and function through manual therapy, exercise prescription, and modalities like IMS, laser therapy, and shockwave. It takes a whole-body approach, looking at strength, flexibility, and movement patterns to address the root cause of dysfunction.

Chiropractic care centres primarily on spinal alignment and joint manipulation (adjustments) to improve nervous system function and relieve pain. At Move to Motion, we have both physiotherapists and a chiropractor working under one roof, so we can recommend whichever approach — or combination — is best for your specific condition. Many patients benefit from both.

You can start physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic treatment immediately after a motor vehicle accident — you don’t need to wait for ICBC approval or a doctor’s referral. ICBC pre-approves 25 sessions within the first 12 weeks of your claim. Simply call us at (604) 999-4442 or book online, and let us know it’s an ICBC claim when you arrive.

You’ll need your ICBC claim number (which you get when you report the accident to ICBC). We handle all the billing directly with ICBC — you pay nothing out of pocket for pre-approved sessions. For more details on rates, extensions, and what’s covered, visit our ICBC claims page.

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin — about the width of a human hair, roughly 0.20–0.25mm in diameter. Most people feel nothing more than a faint tap or a mild tingling sensation when the needles are inserted. It’s nothing like getting an injection or a blood draw. Once the needles are in place, most patients feel deeply relaxed — many fall asleep during treatment.

IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) and dry needling target trigger points in tight muscles, so you’ll typically feel a brief muscle twitch or cramp when the needle hits the trigger point. This “twitch response” is actually the therapeutic goal — it means the tight band is releasing. The sensation lasts only a second or two and is followed by immediate relief. Any post-treatment soreness is similar to what you’d feel after a deep tissue massage and resolves within 24–48 hours. Read more on our needle fears blog article.

We treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and soft tissue conditions including: back and neck pain, sciatica, herniated discs, whiplash, rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, tennis and golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee injuries (ACL, MCL, meniscus), hip pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, TMJ dysfunction, headaches and migraines, chronic pain syndromes, pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, workplace injuries, and motor vehicle accident injuries.

We also offer XERF skin tightening for non-invasive facial rejuvenation, custom orthotics, and brace fitting. If you’re unsure whether your condition is something we can help with, call us — we’re happy to discuss it before you book.

Yes. We direct bill to most major insurance providers in BC including Pacific Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, Great-West Life (Canada Life), Desjardins, ClaimSecure, and Johnson. We also bill directly to ICBC and WorkSafeBC. This means you typically only need to pay the portion not covered by your plan at the time of your visit — we handle the rest.

If your provider isn’t listed, we can still provide you with a detailed receipt to submit for reimbursement. Call us at (604) 999-4442 if you’re unsure about your coverage and we’ll help you sort it out before your first appointment.

We’re located at 7380 King George Blvd, Suite 600, Surrey, BC V3W 5A5 — right on King George Boulevard in the Newton area. We proudly serve residents across Newton, Panorama, Bear Creek, Strawberry Hill, Whalley, Fleetwood, and all of Surrey. The clinic is easily accessible from Highway 99 and multiple bus routes.

Free parking is available on site in the building parking lot — enter from King George Blvd. Visit our Find Us page for an interactive map and driving directions.