Herniated Disc Treatment Crestwood, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Crestwood, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in scientifically-backed treatments personalized to your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Crestwood, MO focuses on supporting your healing without surgery, using personalized plans designed to alleviate discomfort, restore mobility, and help you return to the activities you love.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Crestwood, 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 result in a range of symptoms, including severe back discomfort 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 simple activities like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Acute, radiating 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: 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: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
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 Crestwood, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan customized for your unique condition, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Crestwood, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, restore mobility, and improve your quality of life, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Crestwood, MO will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects 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: Assessing for nerve compression or damage that might result in symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the limbs.

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: Gentle adjustments to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves.
- 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: 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: Increases the strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, promoting stability and reducing strain on the disc.
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: 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: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. 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. 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 Crestwood, MO

While many herniated disc cases can be treated non-surgically, surgery is sometimes necessary for severe cases or when symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatment. At Axes, we assist Crestwood, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy 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:

After surgery, physical therapy becomes an important part of restoring function and getting you back to full strength. Our post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:

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: Through education on posture, body mechanics, and safe movements.

We aim to make sure that when surgery is required, it’s as effective as possible, helping you get back to the things you love in Crestwood, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Crestwood, 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: 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.

We’ve helped numerous patients return to active, pain-free lives through our treatments, and their success stories are a testament to our approach.

Other services we offer in Crestwood, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!