Herniated Disc Treatment Boles, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your routine, but recovery is within reach with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in research-supported treatments customized for your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with minor aches or serious discomfort. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Boles, MO is committed to supporting your healing non-surgically, using individualized plans created to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and get you back to the life you love.
Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Boles, MO. Request an appointment through our website, call 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 condition affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) bulges out from its outer layer, compressing nearby nerves. This condition can result in a range of symptoms, including sharp pain in the back or neck pain, as well as pain extending to 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, radiating pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often extending to the limbs (sciatica).
- Numbness or tingling: This is commonly experienced in the arms, legs, hands, or feet due to 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 get older, our spinal discs gradually lose their natural hydration and flexibility, making them more susceptible to damage.
- Injury and improper lifting: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
- Repetitive movements: Engaging in activities or jobs that require frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting makes you more susceptible to disc injuries.
- 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 Boles, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This enables us to create a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Boles, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Boles, MO. Our objective is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for surgery.
The Evaluation Process
During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Boles, MO will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects your mobility. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.
- 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: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing 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 technique to reduce tightness in the connective tissues that surround muscles and organs, promoting overall relaxation and reducing pain.
- Trigger point dry needling: Using thin needles to penetrate muscle tissue, trigger healing responses, and reduce inflammation, tension, and discomfort.
Targeted Exercises:
- Pelvic tilt: By strengthening the core, pelvic tilts help lessen pressure on the spine, leading to pain relief.
- 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: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
- Hamstring stretches: Stretches the hamstrings to alleviate strain on the lower back.
- 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: Helps to gently stretch the lower back, reducing tension and providing relief in the lumbar region.
- Bird-dog exercise: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding 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. Each of our custom treatment plans is designed to help you recover at a rate that suits you, ensuring your rehabilitation is both comfortable and effective.
Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in Boles, MO
In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we help Boles, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Engaging in physical therapy before surgery helps optimize recovery after the procedure. Our goals before surgery include:
- Maximizing mobility: Focusing on building strength and flexibility in your body to promote a faster recovery once surgery is complete.
- Reducing pain and inflammation: Providing treatments to lower pain and reduce inflammation before surgery to improve comfort.
Post-Surgery Therapy:
Following surgery, physical therapy plays a key role in helping you regain function and rebuild strength. We design post-surgical rehab plans with a focus on:
- 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: 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 Boles, MO without pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Boles, MO?
Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. Our Boles, 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 team has extensive experience treating a wide range of spine-related issues.
- Patient-Centered Care: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, focusing on both their physical and emotional well-being.
- Cutting-Edge Techniques: Our team employs cutting-edge techniques, including manual therapy and advanced exercise programs for herniated disc rehabilitation.
We’ve helped numerous patients return to active, pain-free lives through our treatments, and their success stories are a testament to our approach.
Other services we offer in Boles, MO include:
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Vertigo Treatment
- Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
- Vestibular Therapy
- Concussion Treatment
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Boles, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations caused by a herniated disc. Our skilled therapists will develop a customized, evidence-based treatment plan to help you recover from surgery or avoid it altogether, restoring your mobility and allowing you to enjoy the things you love. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Boles, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!