Herniated Disc Treatment Breckenridge Hills, MO

Herniated Disc Treatment Breckenridge Hills, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is achievable with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatments personalized to your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or intense pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Breckenridge Hills, MO specializes in helping you heal through conservative care, using customized plans created to alleviate discomfort, restore mobility, 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 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, gel-like center of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) bulges out from its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a set of issues, 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, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Acute, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or neck (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: 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 get older, our spinal discs gradually lose their natural hydration and flexibility, making them more susceptible to damage.
Injury and improper lifting: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
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 Breckenridge Hills, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spine health to assess the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

Herniated Disc Treatment Greater Breckenridge Hills, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs Near Breckenridge Hills

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 reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and boost your well-being, 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. The assessment typically involves analyzing your posture, flexibility, and how well your nerves are functioning.

Posture analysis: Assessing your posture to find imbalances that could be causing or worsening your herniated disc.
Spine mobility tests: Evaluating how well your spine moves to determine any restrictions in mobility.
Nerve function testing: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing numbness or tingling.

Key Treatment Techniques:

Manual Therapy: Our highly trained therapists perform hands-on manipulation of soft tissues and joints to relieve pain, ease muscle tension, and improve spinal 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: Penetrating the skin and underlying tissue with thin, filiform needles to stimulate healing and relieve muscle tension, inflammation, and pain.

Targeted Exercises:

Pelvic tilt: Strengthens core muscles, reducing pressure on the spine and alleviating pain.
McKenzie extension: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully extending the spine.
Cat-cow stretch: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
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: 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: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. Exercises like bird-dog movements and prone extensions become key components of your recovery, helping you regain control over your movements and prevent further injury.

With our comprehensive approach, patients often see significant improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life, all without needing surgery. 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 Breckenridge Hills, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we assist Breckenridge Hills, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab aimed at ensuring the best results.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Engaging in physical therapy before surgery helps optimize recovery after the procedure. 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: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
Restoring mobility: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
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 Breckenridge Hills, MO, free from pain or limitations.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. In Breckenridge Hills, 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 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.

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 Breckenridge Hills, MO include:

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. 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 Breckenridge Hills, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!