Herniated Disc Treatment Concord, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your day-to-day activities, but improvement is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on research-supported treatments customized for your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from minor aches or intense pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Concord, MO is committed to supporting your healing without surgery, using personalized plans designed 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 Concord, MO. Make an appointment through our website, contact the location nearest you, or come to 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 cause a variety 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 lying or sitting down difficult.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Acute, spreading pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (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: If you notice reduced strength in your arms or legs, it could point to a more significant compression of the nerves.
Risk factors and causes:
- Age-related degeneration: Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility, reducing their ability to cushion the spine, which increases the risk of injury.
- Injury and improper lifting: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
- 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 Concord, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Concord, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Concord, MO. Our objective is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and improve your quality of life, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.
The Evaluation Process
At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Concord, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.
- 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: Subtle adjustments aimed at correcting spinal misalignment and alleviating nerve compression.
- 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: 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: Improves leg flexibility to help reduce pressure on the lower spine.
- 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.
Our thorough treatment approach allows patients to experience notable reductions in pain, increased mobility, and a better quality of life, without the need for 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 Concord, MO
Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we assist Concord, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. 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:
Post-surgery, physical therapy is crucial for restoring your strength and improving your functional abilities. We design post-surgical rehab plans with a focus on:
- Rebuilding strength: Focusing on strengthening your core and spinal support muscles.
- Restoring mobility: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
- Preventing future injuries: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.
Our objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Concord, MO, free from pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Concord, MO?
Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. In Concord, 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: 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 Concord, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Concord, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations 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 dampen your life—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Concord, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!