Herniated Disc Treatment Bonne Terre, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Bonne Terre, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but recovery is achievable with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on research-supported treatments personalized to your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from minor aches or intense pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Bonne Terre, MO focuses on helping you heal non-surgically, using customized plans intended to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and get you back to the things you enjoy.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Bonne Terre, MO. Schedule an appointment online, 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 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 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 even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Sharp, spreading pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or neck (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: 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 Bonne Terre, 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 enables us to develop a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

Herniated Disc Treatment Greater Bonne Terre, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs Near Bonne Terre

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Bonne Terre, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Bonne Terre, MO. Our objective is to reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and enhance your daily living, all while bypassing the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Bonne Terre, 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: Identifying any imbalances that may be contributing to your 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: Subtle adjustments aimed at correcting spinal misalignment and alleviating nerve compression.
- Myofascial release: A therapy used to release tightness in the fascia, leading to reduced pain and enhanced relaxation.
- Trigger point dry needling: Inserting fine needles into the skin and muscles to promote healing and alleviate tension, inflammation, and pain.

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: 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: Increases flexibility in the legs, which reduces strain on the lower back.
Wall sits: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
Bridges: Builds strength in the glutes and lower back, contributing to better spinal support and pain relief.
Knee-to-chest stretch: Gently stretches the lower back, relieving tension in the lumbar area.
Bird-dog exercise: Builds core stability and balance, helping to strengthen the muscles that support 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. Key exercises like bird-dog movements and prone extensions are critical for your recovery, as they help you regain control over your body and reduce the risk of further injury.

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 Bonne Terre, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we help Bonne Terre, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation aimed at ensuring the best results.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Engaging in physical therapy before surgery helps optimize recovery after the procedure. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

Maximizing mobility: Ensuring that your body is as strong and mobile as possible to support faster recovery post-surgery.
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. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

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: Providing education on how to maintain good posture and safe body mechanics to avoid future injuries.

Our objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Bonne Terre, MO, free from pain or limitations.

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

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Bonne Terre, 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: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
Cutting-Edge Techniques: Utilizing the most up-to-date therapy methods, we incorporate everything from manual therapy to specialized exercises for herniated disc recovery.

Our success stories speak for themselves, with countless patients regaining the ability to live active, pain-free lives after undergoing treatment with us.

Other services we offer in Bonne Terre, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Bonne Terre, 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. Don’t let a herniated disc slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Bonne Terre, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!