Herniated Disc Treatment Bridgeton, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is possible with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments tailored to your individual requirements, whether you’re experiencing slight pain or intense pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Bridgeton, MO specializes in helping you heal through conservative care, using personalized plans intended to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, and get you back to the things you enjoy.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, MO. Schedule an appointment online, give a call to the location nearest you, or visit 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, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a variety of symptoms, including severe back discomfort or neck pain, as well as pain extending to the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In extreme cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Acute, radiating pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting 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: 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: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.

Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, 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 helps us create a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Bridgeton, MO. Our goal is to ease pain, increase flexibility, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, 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: 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: Testing nerve function to detect possible compression or damage leading to symptoms like numbness or tingling.

Key Treatment Techniques:

• Manual Therapy: With manual therapy, our licensed specialists work directly on your soft tissues and joints to alleviate pain and tension, while helping to enhance your spine’s flexibility. 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: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
• Hamstring stretches: Increases flexibility in the legs, which reduces 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 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 Bridgeton, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we support Bridgeton, 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. The primary aims of pre-surgical therapy are:

• 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:

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: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your 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.

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

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. With over 15 years of experience, our licensed physical and occupational therapists in Bridgeton, 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: We customize each care plan to the patient, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
• Cutting-Edge Techniques: We use the latest in therapy techniques, from manual manipulation to advanced exercise regimens designed 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 Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, 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. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!