Frequently Asked Questions

If you've sustained a work-related injury to your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder, the first step is to make sure your injury is documented with Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I), especially if your injury happened during the course of your employment. Typically, an employee will need to file a claim with an Occupational Medicine Physician. If you're unsure whether your injury qualifies for an L&I claim, I’m happy to help you navigate that process! Once your claim is filed, the next step is to reach out to a qualified hand therapy clinic. At Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation, I specialize in treating work-related upper extremity injuries (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, thumb, and finger) and can provide you with a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Whether you’re dealing with a repetitive strain injury like carpal tunnel syndrome or a traumatic injury such as a sprain or fracture, hand therapy can help improve your range of motion, reduce pain, restore function, and - of course - get you back to work full time.

If you’ve recently sustained a work-related injury and think hand therapy might be the right solution, the first step is to obtain a referral from your Occupational Medicine Provider. A referral is necessary to begin rehabilitation at Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation, especially when dealing with a work injury. Once you have your referral, give me a call at (206) 705-9372 or email me at ezra.sauter@ascendmobility.net, and we’ll schedule your first appointment. At your initial visit, we’ll review the details of your injury, any relevant medical history, and the information provided in your referral. If you’ve filed a claim with Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I), we’ll also ensure that your claim is in place and covered before moving forward with therapy. I will gladly work with your doctor or L&I claim manager to ensure the process is seamless. Once we’ve gathered all the necessary information, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan designed to address your specific needs. Your rehab will likely include a combination of hands-on therapy, strengthening exercises, and education on how to manage your injury to promote healing and prevent further damage. Getting started may feel like a lot, but I’m here to guide you through each step of the process. Don’t hesitate to reach out, and we’ll take it from there!

As a doctor, you want to ensure your patients receive the highest quality care, especially when dealing with work-related injuries. At Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation, I specialize in treating upper extremity injuries caused by repetitive strain or traumatic events in the workplace. If you have a patient who needs hand therapy, I offer a comprehensive and individualized approach to rehabilitation that considers your patient's personal goals and the physical demands required at their job, which sets Ascend apart from other clinics. First and foremost, I accept Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) claims, making it easier for your patients to get the care they need without worrying about private insurance restrictions. I work directly with L&I to ensure that the therapy process is smooth and efficient, so patients can focus on their recovery. I provide hands-on, targeted therapy for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, fractures, and much more. Each and every patient receives a tailored treatment plan designed to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent future injuries. Whether your patient requires manual therapy, strengthening exercises, or education on injury prevention, I adopt a holistic approach to ensure they return to work and daily activities safely. Additionally, I prioritize open communication with referring physicians, ensuring you are updated on your patient’s progress throughout the rehab process. If you're looking for a compassionate, effective, and efficient hand therapy provider, I’d be honored to work with you and your patients. Don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss referrals or any questions you may have!

Work-related hand injuries are quite common, especially in jobs that require repetitive motion or heavy lifting. Some of the most frequent injuries I see in my practice include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Caused by repetitive wrist motion, firm graspin, or pressure on the median nerve, this condition can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the fingers and wrist. Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the hand or wrist due to overuse, often affecting the tendons involved in gripping or lifting. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: A type of tendonitis that causes pain in the thumb and wrist, often from repetitive gripping motions. Sprains and Strains: Overextending or twisting the hand or wrist can cause damage to ligaments and muscles, leading to pain and limited movement. Fractures: Broken bones in the hand or wrist from falls, impact, or accidents at work. Occupational Therapy is incredibly effective for treating these types of injuries. At Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation, I use a personalized approach that combines hands-on techniques, strengthening exercises, and education to help manage pain, restore movement, and improve function. Whether you're dealing with inflammation, reduced range of motion, or weakness, Occupational Therapy can help you regain strength and mobility, reducing the risk of future injury. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms after a work injury, it’s important to seek therapy as soon as possible to start your recovery. I’m here to help guide you through the process and create a treatment plan that will get you back to work and daily activities safely and effectively. Feel free to reach out for more information!

Cash-based rehabilitation services offer a multitude of advantages over clinics that exclusively accept insurance. First and foremost, I believe that the most significant benefit is the superior level of personalized care practitioners like myself can provide. Unlike insurance-based clinics that often operate under strict guidelines and limitations, cash-based services have the freedom to tailor treatments specifically to each patient's unique needs. When you participate in Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation's services, I am not beholden to timed billing codes. This personalized approach allows me to consider your unique goals, preferences, and progress more comprehensively, resulting in more effective and efficient rehabilitation. More times than not, we are able to reach your goals in much fewer visits. Another key advantage of cash-based services is the absence of insurance-related administrative burdens. In insurance-based clinics, therapists often spend a significant amount of time navigating complex billing processes, seeking pre-authorizations, and adhering to insurance-mandated treatment protocols. I’ve learned from experience that this can detract from the quality of care and the time spent directly with patients. In contrast, within the cash-based model, I have the flexibility to focus more on delivering hands-on therapy, education, and proactive interventions, which ultimately lead to better outcomes and patient satisfaction. Another advantage of cash-based services is the transparency and clarity they offer regarding treatment costs and options. In insurance-based clinics, patients may face uncertainty about coverage, co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses, which can lead to financial stress and confusion. Cash-based clinics, on the other hand, typically provide upfront pricing information and clear explanations of services, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care without unexpected financial surprises. At Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation, I can assure you that what you see is what you get!

Paying for cash-based rehabilitation instead of insurance-based therapy can lead to potential cost savings in several ways. First, Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation offers transparent pricing and upfront information about session costs, eliminating the uncertainty of co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-network fees commonly associated with insurance plans. This clarity allows you to budget more effectively and avoid unexpected financial burdens. Secondly, Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation also offers package deals if you're interested in longer term care. And because I'm not under any financial pressure to maximize billing from insurance companies, there's no reason to ever prolong your therapy any longer than you need it. If you feel great and are ready cancel your subscription or no longer want to purchase any further packages or treatment sessions, I won't take it personally! All that said, the personalized and focused care provided by cash-based practitioners like myself by and large lead to faster recovery times. And this ultimately means that fewer total sessions are required. So in the short term it might feel like you're spending more, the reality is that you are reducing long-term treatment costs. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of instances where you will absolutely save some money going to a corporate, insurance-based clinic. But I urge you to take closer consideration what you're getting with these treatments: sub-optimal treatment protocols, longer wait times, generic goal setting, and splitting the same (or lesser) amount of treatment time with several other patients.

Yes! If you want to submit a receipt for Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation's services, I can provide you with the documentation and billing codes required. While I am a cash-based provider, we are still considered an out-of-network provider which means that you can still qualify for some kind of re-imbursement.

This answer all depends on your budget, of course. However, often times people tend to experience ongoing repetitive stress injuries due to their lifestyle. This could be owing to the physical demands of their job or perhaps a sport that they're regularly participating in. The reason I bring this up, is that progress in rehab takes time. My recommendation would be to start with the in-person initial visit so we can ascertain the severity of your symptoms and condition. I can then give you an objective assessment of how many potential visits you'll need depending on your goals. All I can do for my clients is offer my clinical recommendation. Then the choice will be totally up to you whether to purchase one of my Treatment Packages, Subscriptions, or simply pay-per-visit. An additional option that I offer, is that my clients are always welcome to simply come in for one complete evaluation visit with no further follow-up visits if that is what's preferred. In that case, I will write up a full assessment report with an individualized home exercise program for ongoing symptom management.

Absolutely. Sometimes the ailments we experience are fairly simple and can be managed independently. All you need is a little information and guidance. If you prefer to come for the Evaluation visit, I will ensure that you receive a comprehensive report of all the assessments performed and a thorough, individualized Home Exercise Program.

Treatment sessions are typically 30 to 45 minutes depending on your needs and medical necessity.

I understand that life happens. I value our time, so I ask that you please be mindful of your scheduled appointments. My cancellation policies below ensures fairness to all clients and allows me to optimize Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation's schedule for everyone's benefit. *The policies listed below pertain to cashed-based patients only." For subscription services, no refunds will be issued for any no-show appointments. If a visit included in this subscription is not rescheduled without at least 4 hours advanced notice of the appointment, it will be considered a no-show visit. That appointment will no longer be eligible to be rescheduled and treatment will resume at the next appointment within the subscription plan. In other words, the option to reschedule expires within 4 hours of the appointment. For example, if your appointment is at 5pm, you have until 1pm to reschedule the appointment with no penalty. No refunds will be issued for any cancellations that are not rescheduled within the monthly subscription service. For treatment packages, it's very similar. No refunds will be issued for any no-show appointments. If you anticipate any scheduling conflicts, please notify me as soon as possible to reschedule. If a missed visit included in the package is not rescheduled within 4 hours of the appointment, it will be considered a no-show visit. That appointment will no longer be eligible to be rescheduled and will be considered used up within the set of purchased visits. In other words, the option to reschedule expires within 4 hours of the appointment. For example, if your appointment is at 5pm, you have until 1pm to reschedule the appointment with no penalty. All purchased treatment sessions are valid for 3 months. No refunds will be issued for unused treatment sessions at the end of 3 months. For individually booked Initial Evaluation, Standard Treatment, and Telehealth Treatment, appointments cancelled at least 24 hours in advance will be subject to a full refund if the visit is not rescheduled. However, cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment will be subject to a 50% refund.

Ascend Mobility and Rehabilitation telehealth treatment sessions offer numerous benefits for my clients. First and foremost, they provide convenient access to therapy from the comfort of your home or office, eliminating the need for travel and saving valuable time. This convenience is especially beneficial for individuals with busy schedules or mobility challenges. Additionally, telehealth visits allow for greater flexibility in scheduling appointments, making it easier to fit therapy sessions into your routine. Moreover, telehealth services often incorporate innovative technologies such as virtual exercises and interactive tools, enhancing the effectiveness of therapy and empowering clients to actively participate in their rehabilitation journey. Overall, telehealth treatment visits for hand therapy services offer a modern, efficient, and effective way to receive high-quality care and achieve optimal upper extremity function and wellness.

I’m tucked away in the heart of the Alaska Junction in West Seattle—right in the cozy loft space behind Talerico’s Pizzeria (yes, that delicious smell is real). If you are coming to treatment from 42nd Avenue, just take the pedestrian pathway between Phoenicia and Portage Bay Cafe for half of a block towards California Avenue. The space used to be a flower shop, and it still feels like one: plenty of plants, tons of natural light, and soaring ceilings that make you feel like you’re doing rehab in a greenhouse... without the humidity. Music is always playing—your choice! (Well… unless it’s country. I know, I know—don’t hate me, country fans!)