Herniated Disc Treatment Argentville, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or intense pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Argentville, MO focuses on helping you heal through conservative care, using individualized plans intended to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and help you return to the life you love.
Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Argentville, MO. Request an appointment online, call the location nearest you, or come to any of our locations for a free injury screening.
About Herniated Discs
A herniated disc is a common injury affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a variety of symptoms, including sharp pain in the back or neck pain, as well as pain radiating into the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In advanced cases, it can lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Intense, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often extending to the limbs (sciatica).
- Numbness or tingling: It’s typical to feel numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, often as a result of compressed nerves.
- Muscle weakness: A reduction in muscle strength in the arms or legs is usually an indication of more serious nerve compression.
Risk factors and causes:
- Age-related degeneration: As we age, our spinal discs naturally lose hydration, flexibility, and cushioning ability, making them more prone to injury.
- Injury and improper lifting: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
- Repetitive movements: Jobs or activities that involve repeated bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects increase the risk of disc injury.
- Poor posture: Prolonged poor posture, whether sitting or standing, can lead to extra stress on the spine.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Argentville, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This enables us to design a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, getting you started on your healing journey as soon as possible.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Argentville, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Argentville, MO. Our goal is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and enhance your daily living, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.
The Evaluation Process
At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Argentville, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. This will cover multiple factors, such as your range of motion, spinal alignment, and nerve reflexes.
- Posture analysis: Identifying any imbalances that may be contributing to your condition.
- Spine mobility tests: Assessing the range of motion in your spine and identifying areas where movement is restricted.
- Nerve function testing: Testing nerve function to detect possible compression or damage leading to symptoms like numbness or tingling.
Key Treatment Techniques:
- Manual Therapy: Our highly trained therapists perform hands-on manipulation of soft tissues and joints to relieve pain, ease muscle tension, and improve spinal mobility. This can involve:
- Spinal mobilization: Gentle adjustments to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Myofascial release: A therapy used to release tightness in the fascia, leading to reduced pain and enhanced relaxation.
- Trigger point dry needling: Using thin needles to penetrate muscle tissue, trigger healing responses, and reduce inflammation, tension, and discomfort.
Targeted Exercises:
- Pelvic tilt: Strengthens core muscles, reducing pressure on the spine and alleviating pain.
- McKenzie extension: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
- Cat-cow stretch: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
- Lumbar stabilization: Increases the strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, promoting stability and reducing strain on the disc.
- Hamstring stretches: Increases flexibility in the legs, which reduces strain on the lower back.
- Wall sits: Builds strength in the legs and lower back, promoting better posture and spinal support.
- Bridges: Builds strength in the glutes and lower back, contributing to better spinal support and pain relief.
- Knee-to-chest stretch: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
- Bird-dog exercise: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around the spine.
Progressive Treatment Plan
As your recovery progresses, we move from passive therapies, such as manual therapy, to more active treatments that focus on building strength and enhancing spinal health. Incorporating exercises such as bird-dog movements and prone extensions is essential for helping you restore control of your movements and avoid future injuries.
With our comprehensive approach, patients often see significant improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life, all without needing surgery. We create individualized treatment plans that guarantee you recover at a comfortable and effective pace, making your healing process smooth and easy.
Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in Argentville, MO
In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we support Argentville, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab aimed at ensuring the best results.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. The primary aims of pre-surgical therapy are:
- Maximizing mobility: Focusing on building strength and flexibility in your body to promote a faster recovery once surgery is complete.
- Reducing pain and inflammation: Using therapies that can help ease discomfort in the days leading up to surgery.
Post-Surgery Therapy:
Post-surgery, physical therapy is crucial for restoring your strength and improving your functional abilities. Our post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:
- Rebuilding strength: Focusing on strengthening your core and spinal support muscles.
- Restoring mobility: Working to help you move freely again while reducing any discomfort.
- Preventing future injuries: Through education on posture, body mechanics, and safe movements.
Our goal is to ensure that surgery, when needed, is as successful as possible, allowing you to return to your everyday and favorite activities in Argentville, MO without pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Argentville, MO?
At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. In Argentville, MO, our licensed physical and occupational therapists bring 15+ years of expertise to crafting customized plans that address not only your symptoms but also the deeper issues causing your condition.
Why Patients Trust Us:
- Experience: Our therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
- Patient-Centered Care: We customize each care plan to the patient, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
- Cutting-Edge Techniques: We use the latest in therapy techniques, from manual manipulation to advanced exercise regimens designed for herniated disc recovery.
The success of our patients, many of whom have regained full mobility and live pain-free, speaks volumes about the quality of care we provide.
Other services we offer in Argentville, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Argentville, MO
We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by a herniated disc. Whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or recover after one, our expert therapists will create a personalized, scientifically backed treatment plan to restore your mobility and get you back to the activities you love. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Argentville, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!