A work injury can turn your life upside down. At Saunders Therapy Centers Inc, we help injured workers across Minnesota recover faster, meet their pre-injury job requirements, and get back to work sooner. We help identify your work capabilities so your doctor knows when you are ready to return to work safely.
Our licensed physical and occupational therapists specialize in work injury rehabilitation, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs), and Work Hardening Programs. Treatment is billed directly to your workers’ compensation insurer when your claim is accepted.
Call us today to schedule your workers’ comp evaluation. Same-week appointments available for injured workers.
Work Injuries We Treat
We treat a wide range of occupational injuries, including:
- Low back pain and lumbar strains
- Neck and cervical spine injuries
- Shoulder injuries and rotator cuff conditions
- Knee sprains, strains, and post-surgical recovery
- Repetitive motion and overuse injuries (carpal tunnel, tendinitis)
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
If you don’t see your condition listed, call us. Chances are we can help.
How Your Treatment Works
Every patient starts with a thorough evaluation. We review your injury, test your strength and mobility, and learn the physical demands of your job. From there, your therapist builds a plan that moves you through three clear stages:
- Restore. We reduce pain and rebuild your range of motion using hands-on manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular retraining.
- Rebuild. We progressively strengthen the injured area and improve your endurance so your body is ready for real work demands.
- Return. We simulate your actual job tasks in the clinic and confirm you can perform them safely before recommending return to work.
We track your progress with objective measurements at every stage — strength, range of motion, and functional capacity. We monitor your symptoms and help guide you when you should respect your symptoms and rest, vs when it’s safe to begin working through them. We are the experts on reactivation after injury!
Specialty Services for Workers’ Comp Cases
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs)
The Saunders FCE is unique. It is a 2-day, 16-hour assessment that objectively measures what you can safely lift, carry, push, pull, and sustain repetitively over an 8-hour day. The results are used to determine work restrictions, guide return-to-work planning, and support disability determinations.
We provide a detailed written report to your physician, insurer, and case manager. No other FCE is as thorough – our recommendations are based on actual job simulation for several hours – not guesswork or fancy computer algorithms. Watch a short video about our FCE method!
Work Hardening Programs
If you’ve finished initial therapy but still can’t meet your full job demands, Work Hardening bridges that gap. These structured, multi-week programs combine job-specific task simulation, progressive physical conditioning, and endurance training in a custom-designed plan for you.
Depending on the job requirements, this can be as little as a few hours a week, or as much as several hours a day, multiple days a week. The goal is full, safe return to your pre-injury job, so you can get out of the worker’s compensation system and back to real life. Why are our Work Hardening programs unique?
Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Team Treatment
Our Work Hardening Programs are supported with a whole team, consisting of physical and occupational therapists and assistants. The interdisciplinary team supports you along the way. Read our reviews! Many people comment that our team approach is the key to their improvement.
Getting You Back to Work the Right Way
Returning too early risks re-injury. Returning too late delays your recovery and income. We get the timing right by matching your physical progress to the actual demands of your job.
Depending on where you are in recovery, we may recommend modified duty, reduced hours, temporary restrictions, or a phased return-to-work schedule. Every recommendation is backed by objective data so your physician can make informed decisions and your employer and insurer have what they need to act.
Common Questions
Does workers’ comp cover physical therapy in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota law requires employers’ insurers to cover reasonable and necessary treatment for work injuries including physical therapy, occupational therapy, FCEs, and Work Hardening when medically indicated and aligned with state treatment guidelines.
Do I need a referral to start?
In most cases, yes. A referral from your treating physician, urgent care provider, or occupational medicine doctor is typically required to begin workers’ comp therapy. Not sure if you have one? Call us and we’ll help you sort it out.
What if my insurer denies therapy?
You have options. Our team can provide documentation to support medical necessity for an appeal. You may also file a claim petition with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry or consult a workers’ compensation attorney.
Can I choose my own therapist?
In most Minnesota workers’ comp cases, yes. If your employer uses a certified managed care plan, you may need to select from an approved list. Most insurers, physicians, and QRCs (qualified rehabilitation consultants) know and love Saunders Therapy Centers Inc workers’ comp rehab programs, so we are almost always a top choice for them.
How long will therapy take?
It depends on your injury and job demands. A straightforward strain may resolve in 4–6 weeks. Post-surgical or more complex cases may take longer. Your therapist will give you a realistic timeline at your initial evaluation.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Saunders Therapy Centers Inc has helped injured workers across Minnesota recover and return to work with confidence. Our therapists understand the workers’ compensation system and we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible for you, your employer, and your insurer.
Call Saunders Therapy Centers Inc to schedule your evaluation. Referrals accepted from physicians, case managers, and insurers. Billing handled directly with your insurer for accepted claims.