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physical therapist educating patient with model of shoulder joint

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

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Saunders clinicians use sophisticated techniques to treat all disorders of the musculoskeletal system: bones, joints, muscles, nerves and connective tissues. We use hands-on techniques to promote pain relief and improved function. We are experts at detecting movement disorders and muscular imbalances, which are often the root cause of many orthopedic conditions – especially the problems that last a long time or keep coming back. Our focus is on long-term resolution of symptoms and self-management to decrease costs and encourage independence.

Good Orthopedic Physical Therapy Treatment Involves Manual Therapy, Exercise, and Education

Injury is inevitable – few people avoid any musculoskeletal pain during their lifetimes. Our focus is on helping your injury heal properly with good strength, range of motion, and balance, so that reinjury is less likely. Even if you need surgery for your condition, high quality post-surgical rehabilitation is key.

We won’t let your body heal stiff or weak, and will guide you in the first few weeks after your procedure to make sure you are adhering to safe guidelines for recovery.
You will find our clinical approach refreshing, compared to many PT clinics. You will see the same physical therapy team each visit. This results in fewer overall visits, since time is not wasted with inefficient progression of your treatment plan. Many of our patients have been to other clinics and tell us that our approach is much preferred. We pride ourselves on developing individualized plans of care – your hands-on care and exercise program will be unique. If you have been disappointed with your care in the past, or have given up favorite activities because of pain – give Saunders Therapy Centers a try.

 

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Treatment

A Saunders physical therapist can help determine the most suitable treatment plan for thoracic outlet syndrome. Our goal is to achieve pain relief as soon as possible, and then to...
Whiplash Treatment

Whiplash Treatment

A Saunders physical therapist can help determine the best treatment for whiplash, based on a thorough evaluation and assessment of severity. Our goal is to achieve pain relief as soon...
Tennis Elbow Treatment

Tennis Elbow Treatment

A Saunders physical therapist can help determine the most suitable treatment plan for your tennis elbow. Proper treatment to restore normal motion, strength, and function is essential to prevent recurrence...
Shoulder Pain Treatment

Shoulder Pain Treatment

A Saunders physical therapist can help determine the most suitable treatment plan for your individual condition. Our goal is to achieve pain relief as soon as possible, and then to...
Tension Headaches

Tension Headaches

With tension headaches, pain is usually experienced on both sides of the head, but can occur on only one side. Symptoms are often constant and do not change with activity...
Saunders Help for Runners

Saunders Help for Runners

Saunders physical therapists treat runners with a multi-modal approach...
Orthopedic Treatment Philosophy

Orthopedic Treatment Philosophy

Our philosophy requires an in-depth evaluation, and incorporates manual therapy and exercise...
Treatment of Sports Injuries

Treatment of Sports Injuries

Saunders therapists are experts in sports injury treatment...
Physical Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions

Physical Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions

We can help you with your ankle sprain or rotator cuff tear, and everything in-between.

 

occupational therapist assists client with ball exercise in maple grove gym

Physical Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions

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Common problems we treat:

  • Shoulder tendinitis and rotator cuff injuries
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Tennis elbow, elbow, wrist and hand sprains and strains
  • Neck pain and whiplash
  • Low back pain
  • Brachial plexus injury and thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Hip bursitis, arthritis and tendinitis
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Knee sprains and lower extremity muscle strains
  • Torn knee ligaments
  • Ankle and foot sprains and strains
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation for all of the above

 

occupational therapist encouraging client during work simulation as plumber

Functional Capacity Evaluation – The Saunders Method

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Saunders’ mission is to identify and maximize the work-related functional abilities of those injured on the job. Communication is a hallmark of our service. We work closely with the client, physician, Qualified Rehabilitation Counselor (QRC), case manager, insurance adjuster, and employer to fully understand the unique requirements of each case.

Each of our clinics has a large gym area and equipment that allows us to perform unique FCEs, with the ability to simulate job-related activities for nearly any occupation. The clinicians who provide our FCE services are specially trained and very experienced. They understand industry, the workers compensation system, and the unique needs for evaluating clients with work-related injuries.

In addition to FCEs, we offer Work Hardening rehabilitation services and our specialized Work Ready for Brain Injury Program.

Our Method

The best way to evaluate a person’s endurance is to observe our clients in a work-like environment for multiple hours and days. That’s why Saunders Therapy Centers’ FCE is 2, full days long. 

We spend a great deal of time prior to every FCE to make sure we understand the purpose. The activities tested during the two, 8-hour  days are often very specific to a particular job. We can also perform a more generic FCE if we are being asked to identify general abilities for job search. Our Functional Capacity Evaluation is appropriate for all types of injuries.

Realistic, Experienced, Non-Biased

work hardening client reaching overhead with knot-tying exercisework hardening client performing plumber simulation with pipe wrenchwork hardening client performing warehouse simulation material handlingwork hardening client using wrench to tighten unistrutwork hardening client sorting medium sized boxeswork hardening client squatting to lift bread crates for job simulationwork hardening client using handtruck to move materials up stairstherapist working with patient and another patient on treadmill nearbyflight attendant client simulating putting suitcase in overhead binflight attendant client simulating beverage serviceoccupational therapist assisting client with advanced ball exerciseoccupational therapist encouraging client during work simulation as plumberOccupational therapist teaching shoulder rotation exercise in gymphysical therapist and firefighter practicing patient transport in gymphysical therapist explaining body mechanics techniques to firefighteroccupational therapist checking exercise technique in gymphysical therapist assistant encouraging a happy patient in gymphysical therapist chatting with patient doing exercisephysical therapist assistant helping with sit-to-stand exerciseoccupational therapist testing shoulder strengthoccupational therapist teaching lifting techniqueoccupational therapist chatting with client performing material handling exercisesoccupational therapist palpating upper back muscles during patient exerciseoccupational therapist assisting with internal rotation exercise in gymphysical therapist instructing firefighter in work simulation techniquesoccupational therapist checking proper technique for upper back exercise

Work Hardening – The Saunders Method

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Saunders Therapy Centers’ mission is to identify and maximize the work-related functional abilities of people injured on the job.

We have excellent staff at all three locations – Bloomington, Maple Grove, and Saint Paul. The clinicians who provide these services are specially trained and very experienced. They understand industry, the workers compensation system, and the unique issues involved in work-related injuries.

Communication is a hallmark of our service. We work closely with the client, physician, Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC), case manager, insurance adjuster, and employer to ensure a safe return-to-work.

“They are so good, I’ll probably never see them again! Every therapist on my Work Hardening team was extremely helpful and cheerful. They monitored my recovery and designed the program to meet the very specific needs of my job.” – Testimony from Luis

What is Unique about Saunders’  Work Hardening Programs?

At Saunders, your program will be CUSTOMIZED. We perform a 2-hour, comprehensive evaluation to determine your strength, function, and readiness for work. We then work WITH YOU to determine the ideal program. The activities you do, the length and duration of each session, and the overall length of the program are unique for your circumstances.

Each of our clinics has a large gym area and equipment that allows us to evaluate work-related function and simulate job-related activities for nearly any job.  In addition to Work Hardening, we offer functional capacity evaluations (FCE).

Check out the Saunders Work Hardening Pledge

How Often Do I Attend Work Hardening? How Long is Each Session?

How Often Do I Attend Work Hardening? How Long is Each Session?

The goal of Work Hardening is to simulate the intensity of real work. Therefore, your program will usually increase from a minimum of 2 hours per session, up to a...
How Long is a Typical Work Hardening Program?

How Long is a Typical Work Hardening Program?

Your Work Hardening team works with YOU to identify goals and barriers and develop a comprehensive plan to help get you back to work. In some cases, a short 2-3...
Work Hardening – What Exactly Will I Do?

Work Hardening – What Exactly Will I Do?

Most people who are referred for Work Hardening have physical barriers that prevent them from reaching their work goals. Examples of these are stiffness, weakness, poor balance, or poor endurance....
What is the Work Hardening Evaluation?

What is the Work Hardening Evaluation?

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,...

Realistic, Experienced, Non-Biased, Compassionate Treatment

work hardening client reaching overhead with knot-tying exercisework hardening client performing plumber simulation with pipe wrenchwork hardening client grasping cardboard boxwork hardening client performing warehouse simulation material handlingwork hardening client using wrench to tighten unistrutwork hardening client squatting to lift bread crates for job simulationwork hardening client using handtruck to move materials up stairsflight attendant client simulating putting suitcase in overhead binoccupational therapist assisting client with advanced ball exerciseoccupational therapist encouraging client during work simulation as plumberoccupational therapist chatting with smiling client carrying boxwork hardening client assembling structure with unistrut using wrenchOccupational therapist teaching shoulder rotation exercise in gymtherapist working with patient and another patient on treadmill nearbyphysical therapist and firefighter practicing patient transport in gymoccupational therapist checking exercise technique in gymphysical therapist assistant encouraging a happy patient in gymphysical therapist assistant helping with sit-to-stand exerciseoccupational therapist teaching lifting techniqueoccupational therapist chatting with client performing material handling exercisesoccupational therapist palpating upper back muscles during patient exercise
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