Herniated Disc Treatment Breckenridge Hills, 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 are experts in research-supported treatments personalized to your specific needs, whether you’re suffering from mild discomfort or serious discomfort. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Breckenridge Hills, MO is committed to supporting your healing without surgery, using personalized plans intended to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, and get you back to the things you enjoy.
Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Breckenridge Hills, MO. Schedule an appointment through our website, 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) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a variety 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 even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Intense, radiating pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting 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: 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: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Breckenridge Hills, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This enables us to develop a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Breckenridge Hills, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Breckenridge Hills, MO. Our objective is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and improve your quality of life, all while preventing the need for surgery.
The Evaluation Process
At Axes Physical Therapy in Breckenridge Hills, 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 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: Evaluating how well your spine moves to determine any restrictions in mobility.
- 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: 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: By strengthening the core, pelvic tilts help lessen pressure on the spine, leading to pain relief.
- McKenzie extension: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
- Cat-cow stretch: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
- Lumbar stabilization: Increases the strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, promoting stability and reducing strain 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: 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: Builds core stability and balance, helping to strengthen the muscles that support 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.
Thanks to our all-encompassing approach, many patients enjoy improvements in pain, movement, and their overall quality of life, avoiding surgery altogether. 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 Breckenridge Hills, MO
Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we help Breckenridge Hills, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
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: We aim to strengthen and increase your mobility to ensure a quicker recovery after surgery.
- Reducing pain and inflammation: Providing treatments to lower pain and reduce inflammation before surgery to improve comfort.
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: Providing education on how to maintain good posture and safe body mechanics to avoid future injuries.
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 Breckenridge Hills, MO without pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Breckenridge Hills, 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 Breckenridge Hills, MO design tailored treatment plans that target both the symptoms and root 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: 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 Breckenridge Hills, MO include:
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Breckenridge Hills, 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 slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Breckenridge Hills, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!