Herniated Disc Treatment Barretts, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but recovery is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on scientifically-backed treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from mild discomfort or intense pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Barretts, MO focuses on supporting your healing non-surgically, using individualized plans designed to relieve pain, improve movement, and get you back to the life you love.
Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Barretts, MO. Schedule an appointment online, contact the location nearest you, or drop by 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) protrudes through its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including intense back pain or neck pain, as well as pain spreading through the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In extreme cases, it can result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down hard to perform.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Sharp, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often spreading 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: Muscle weakness often manifests in the arms or legs, which can signal a more severe form of nerve compression.
Risk factors and causes:
- Age-related degeneration: Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility, reducing their ability to cushion the spine, which increases the risk of injury.
- Injury and improper lifting: A herniated disc can occur due to sudden injuries from sports or incorrect lifting of heavy objects.
- Repetitive movements: Repeated movements like bending, twisting, or heavy lifting in certain jobs or activities heighten the chances of a disc injury.
- Poor posture: Maintaining poor posture over extended periods can add unnecessary pressure to the spine.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Barretts, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your alignment, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Barretts, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Barretts, MO. Our goal is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and improve your quality of life, all while avoiding the need for surgery.
The Evaluation Process
At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Barretts, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.
- 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: Assessing for nerve compression or damage that might result in symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the limbs.
Key Treatment Techniques:
- Manual Therapy: With manual therapy, our licensed specialists work directly on your soft tissues and joints to alleviate pain and tension, while helping to enhance your spine’s flexibility. This can involve:
- Spinal mobilization: Careful manipulation techniques to restore proper spinal alignment and reduce nerve pressure.
- 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: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently extending the spine.
- Cat-cow stretch: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
- Lumbar stabilization: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress on the disc.
- Hamstring stretches: Improves leg flexibility to help reduce pressure on the lower spine.
- Wall sits: Builds strength in the legs and lower back, promoting better posture and spinal support.
- Bridges: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
- Knee-to-chest stretch: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
- Bird-dog exercise: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding the spine.
Progressive Treatment Plan
As your condition improves, we transition from passive treatments, like manual therapy, to more active therapies designed to strengthen your body and improve your overall 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.
Thanks to our all-encompassing approach, many patients enjoy improvements in pain, movement, and their overall quality of life, avoiding surgery altogether. 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 Barretts, MO
Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we support Barretts, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. The primary aims of pre-surgical therapy are:
- Maximizing mobility: We aim to strengthen and increase your mobility to ensure a quicker recovery after surgery.
- Reducing pain and inflammation: Using therapies that can help ease discomfort in the days leading up to surgery.
Post-Surgery Therapy:
After surgery, physical therapy becomes an important part of restoring function and getting you back to full strength. We design post-surgical rehab plans with a focus on:
- Rebuilding strength: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your spine.
- Restoring mobility: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
- Preventing future injuries: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.
Our objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Barretts, MO, free from pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Barretts, MO?
Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. Our Barretts, MO licensed physical and occupational therapists with over 15 years of experience create personalized, comprehensive treatment plans that address both the immediate symptoms and the underlying causes of your condition.
Why Patients Trust Us:
- Experience: Our therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
- Patient-Centered Care: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
- Cutting-Edge Techniques: Our team employs cutting-edge techniques, including manual therapy and advanced exercise programs for herniated disc rehabilitation.
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 Barretts, MO include:
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Vertigo Treatment
- Vestibular Therapy
- Concussion Treatment
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Barretts, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you conquer the pain and restrictions of a herniated disc. If you’re trying to avoid surgery or need post-surgical rehab, our expert therapists will create a tailored, scientifically supported plan to get you moving again and back to what you enjoy. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Barretts, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!