Herniated Disc Treatment Creve Coeur, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Creve Coeur, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is possible with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or severe pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Creve Coeur, MO specializes in helping you heal through conservative care, using personalized plans intended to alleviate discomfort, restore mobility, and get you back to the things you enjoy.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, MO. Request an appointment through our website, call the location nearest you, or visit any of our locations for a free injury screening.

About Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is a common condition affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) protrudes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including sharp pain in the back or neck pain, as well as pain spreading through 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 lying or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Sharp, spreading pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often spreading to 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: 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: Repeated movements like bending, twisting, or heavy lifting in certain jobs or activities heighten the chances of a disc injury.
Poor posture: Prolonged poor posture, whether sitting or standing, can lead to extra stress on the spine.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This enables us to design a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey quickly and effectively.

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

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Creve Coeur, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Creve Coeur, MO. Our aim is to reduce discomfort, improve movement, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, 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: Evaluating any posture misalignments that might be affecting your spine and overall condition.
Spine mobility tests: Checking the spine’s range of motion to pinpoint areas of stiffness or limited movement.
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: 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: This exercise builds core strength, which helps reduce spinal pressure and ease discomfort.
McKenzie extension: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully extending the spine.
Cat-cow stretch: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
Lumbar stabilization: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress on the disc.
Hamstring stretches: Increases flexibility in the legs, which reduces 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: 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 recovery progresses, we move from passive therapies, such as manual therapy, to more active treatments that focus on building strength and enhancing 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.

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 Creve Coeur, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we help Creve Coeur, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

Maximizing mobility: Ensuring that your body is as strong and mobile as possible to support faster recovery post-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. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

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: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.

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 Creve Coeur, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. In Creve Coeur, 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: We bring years of expertise to treating numerous spine-related concerns.
Patient-Centered Care: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, focusing on both their physical and emotional well-being.
Cutting-Edge Techniques: We use the latest in therapy techniques, from manual manipulation to advanced exercise regimens designed for herniated disc recovery.

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 Creve Coeur, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Creve Coeur, MO

We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by a herniated disc. Whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or recover after one, our expert therapists will create a personalized, scientifically backed treatment plan to restore your mobility and get you back to the activities you love. Don’t let a herniated disc slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!

Creve Coeur, MO