Before beginning the program, each client participates in a 2-hour evaluation. We obtain a thorough injury history, work history, psychosocial screening and baseline functional assessment covering lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, upper extremity function, and body position capabilities. During this comprehensive evaluation, we get to know your job-related goals, and we will help you identify barriers to successful return to work. We work together with you, your physician, and others as needed (e.g., QRC or disability case manager) to develop a custom program. Saunders Work Hardening teams customize the length of the program based on the results of your evaluation, availability of light or modified duty, and program goals. If you are currently working, but with restrictions, we structure the program to supplement what you do on the job.
Joey Faulds, DPT
Maple Grove Office
Orthopedics, Industrial Rehabilitation, Work Hardening, Functional Capacity Evaluation
Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation
Very little has been written about the rehabilitation needs of Covid-19 survivors after a long hospital stay or complications from the disease. Covid-19 can affect multiple body systems, including cardiac, neurological, and cognitive, and can cause mental health concerns and severe deconditioning.
Some people struggle returning to function after recovery from Covid-19. It can be difficult for patients to return to optimal activity because they don’t know how start or how to progress. Frustratingly, it’s easy to over-do exercise or activities without guidance, even if you were used to vigorous exercise before your illness. Our staff is uniquely positioned to help you regain as much function as possible, while following appropriate precautions to ensure your safety. Our approach entails:
- Cardiovascular endurance training – we start slow and progress as tolerated
- Progressive, graded exposure to difficult activities/tasks – the key is adding a little at a time, with professional monitoring
- Balance, coordination training – we are finding that many patients struggle with this, and we have many exercises and activities to challenge balance and coordination JUST ENOUGH, but not too much
- Monitoring of vitals (e.g., O2, pulse, respiration, blood pressure) – we will monitor you closely to ensure good tolerance
- Coaching on fear-avoidance; coaching on stress reduction strategies – fear and stress are a natural part of the recovery process for many of our patients
- Other customized activities to meet identified needs (e.g., work simulation or modification/practice of activities of daily living)
Before beginning a rehabilitation program, we perform a thorough evaluation to ensure a good baseline and establish a safe program geared toward meeting YOUR SPECIFIC GOALS. We work with your physician as needed and send regular updates about your progress.
FAQs About Saunders’ Post Covid-19 Rehabilitation Programs
Q: Does my insurance cover Post Covid-19 Rehabilitation?
A: Most insurance plans cover physical therapy for functional problems like strength, endurance, pain, and cardiovascular/pulmonary problems, and these are the problems we would be treating. We can help you determine your insurance coverage if you call.
Q: Do I need a physician referral for treatment of Post Covid-19 symptoms?
A: While most insurances do not require a physician referral to start physical therapy we will verify your insurance coverage and their requirements. Please contact us to learn more.
Q: Why is Saunders Therapy particularly well-suited for Post-Covid rehabilitation?
A: Prior to the pandemic, Saunders Therapy Centers specialized in progressive, graded exposure to painful or problematic activities, and customized training to improve function. We are experts at maximizing function. We have a large gym with a variety of exercise and job simulation equipment, with a great staff eager to help you get back to your best function. We are used to (and skilled at) working with clients with multi-factorial issues – not just a single body part.
Q: What can I expect in the evaluation?
A: At a minimum, your functional evaluation will include joint and muscle range of motion and strength testing, balance assessment, and exercise capacity assessment with a 6-minute walk test to establish a baseline. If your illness was work-related or involves significant work-related deficits, job-specific functional testing may be done. In some cases, a Work Hardening Program may be indicated.
Q: What type of treatment plan can I expect?
A: Most patients can reach full benefit by attending physical therapy sessions 2-3x/week, where you will work on a progressive program in our large gym, plus supplement in-clinic activities with a customized home exercise program. We can work with you on YOUR preferred schedule. Some people like infrequent visits and perform most of their exercises/activities at home, while others prefer (and need) more supervision with more frequent visits. You can expect to be followed by your therapist team for up to 6-8 weeks, depending upon your individual circumstances.
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Physical Therapy for Incontinence
Do you have difficulty with control of your bladder when you cough or sneeze? Does walking or running cause your bladder to leak? Do you feel you can barely make it to the bathroom on time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Up to 20 million individuals struggle with incontinence. Incontinence is not a disease nor is it part of the normal aging process; rather is simply a symptom of an underlying condition. The good news is many people are helped through non-surgical conservative interventions.
People develop incontinence for many reasons including: pregnancy, menopause, prostate problems, and surgery. Incontinence may also be associated with many medical conditions including diabetes, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
Common Types of Incontinence Include:
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What can physical therapy do for you?
Saunders Therapy Centers offers specialty physical therapy to help people with incontinence. Our program incorporates simple, effective exercises which strengthen and restore balance to the neuromuscular system that supports the pelvic and/or prostate organs. In addition to exercise, biofeedback is sometimes used to help teach you the correct way to exercise the muscles of continence. This multi-faceted approach, along with behavior modification, typically yields significant improvement in 3-8 weeks for 80% of those seeking treatment, depending on severity.
Comprehensive Pelvic Health Care for All Genders
It provides vital support to your organs, back and hips. Too often, issues here go unrecognized during a traditional pelvic exam. Pelvic floor physical therapy involves a specialized evaluation that assesses the presence of internal muscle spasms, trigger points, or weakness. Pelvic floor treatment often achieves a major improvement in quality of life. At Saunders Therapy Centers, our physical therapists have had special training and they can help.
Everyone has a pelvic floor! We are an inclusive practice and we work with all genders.
Here are some of the many pelvic health issues we can help with at Saunders Therapy Centers:
- Urinary incontinence, urgency or frequency
- Bowel incontinence
- Constipation
- Low and mid- back pain
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
- Sciatica (leg pain)
- Pain with penetration or intercourse
- Painful scars or adhesions
- Post-surgical pain
- Pain during and after pregnancy
- Post-partum pain and dysfunction
- Diastasis Recti
- Prolapse
- Vulvodynia
- Coccyx (tailbone) pain
- Vestibulitis
- Interstitial cystitis
- Pain from endometriosis
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction
- Pain Pre- and Post Prostate surgery
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Voiding Dysfunctions
- Abdominal/groin/hip pain
- CPPS (Chronic pelvic pain syndrome)
- Prostatitis
- Sexual health
Pelvic Pain Conditions Treated
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Painful Conditions Related to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction:
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What can physical therapy do for you?
Saunders Therapy Centers’ pelvic health specialists are skilled at evaluating the many different causes of your pelvic pain. Our program incorporates simple, effective exercises which strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles – this is highly variable and based on what YOUR body needs! Strengthening and restoring balance to the core musculature is often an important aspect to treatment. We also perform manual techniques as needed to restore balance to the neuromuscular system. All of these techniques help support your pelvic structures and return your system to more normal, pain-free function. This multi-faceted approach can be life-changing for many people.