Herniated Disc Treatment Berkeley, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is achievable with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique condition, whether you’re experiencing minor aches or serious discomfort. Our committed physical therapy team in Berkeley, MO specializes in helping you heal through conservative care, using personalized plans designed to relieve pain, improve movement, and help you return to the life you love.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Berkeley, MO. Make an appointment online, call the location nearest you, or visit any of our locations for a free injury screening.

About Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is a common condition affecting the spine, where the soft, gel-like center of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a range of symptoms, including intense back pain or neck pain, as well as pain radiating into the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In severe cases, it can lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Intense, radiating pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often spreading to the limbs (sciatica).
• Numbness or tingling: A frequent symptom is numbness or tingling in the limbs, particularly the arms, legs, hands, or feet, which occurs because of nerve compression.
• 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: As we age, our spinal discs naturally lose hydration, flexibility, and cushioning ability, making them more prone to injury.
• Injury and improper lifting: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
• 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.

It’s crucial to intervene early. At Axes Physical Therapy in Berkeley, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, mobility, reflexes, and spinal health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This helps us create a treatment plan customized for your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Berkeley, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Berkeley, MO. Our goal is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and improve your quality of life, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Berkeley, MO, our physical therapists will begin your first session with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the severity of your disc herniation and its effect on your mobility. This will cover multiple factors, such as your range of motion, spinal alignment, and nerve reflexes.

• Posture analysis: Evaluating any posture misalignments that might be affecting your spine and overall condition.
• Spine mobility tests: Checking the spine’s range of motion to pinpoint areas of stiffness or limited movement.
• 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 licensed therapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate soft tissues and joints, reducing pain and muscle tension while improving spine mobility. This can involve:
  • Spinal mobilization: Gentle adjustments to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves.
  • Myofascial release: A method focused on loosening the connective tissues around muscles and organs to ease tension and reduce discomfort.
  • 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: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
• 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: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
• Bridges: Strengthens the glutes and lower back, helping to support the spine and reduce pain.
• 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 you heal, we shift from passive treatments like manual therapy to more active therapies that are geared toward strengthening your body and improving your spine’s 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.

Our thorough treatment approach allows patients to experience notable reductions in pain, increased mobility, and a better quality of life, without the need for surgery. Our personalized treatment plans ensure that you are always progressing at a pace that works for you, keeping your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in Berkeley, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we assist Berkeley, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

• 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:

Post-surgery, physical therapy is crucial for restoring your strength and improving your functional abilities. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

• Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
• Restoring mobility: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
• Preventing future injuries: Providing education on how to maintain good posture and safe body mechanics to avoid future injuries.

We aim to make sure that when surgery is required, it’s as effective as possible, helping you get back to the things you love in Berkeley, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Berkeley, MO?

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. With over 15 years of experience, our licensed physical and occupational therapists in Berkeley, MO design tailored treatment plans that target both the symptoms and root causes of your condition.

Why Patients Trust Us:

• Experience: We bring years of expertise to treating numerous spine-related concerns.
• Patient-Centered Care: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
• 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 Berkeley, MO include:

• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Berkeley, MO

We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by 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. Don’t let a herniated disc dampen your life—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Berkeley, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!