Herniated Disc Treatment Dellwood, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is possible with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in evidence-based treatments customized for your unique condition, whether you’re experiencing mild discomfort or serious discomfort. Our expert physical therapy team in Dellwood, MO specializes in supporting your healing non-surgically, using personalized plans designed to alleviate discomfort, restore mobility, and help you return to the things you enjoy.

Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO. Schedule an appointment through our website, 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, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a set of issues, 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 extreme cases, it can lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down hard to perform.

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: This is commonly experienced in the arms, legs, hands, or feet due to 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: A herniated disc can occur due to sudden injuries from sports or incorrect lifting of heavy objects.
• 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.

Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to assess the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Dellwood, MO. Our goal is to ease pain, improve movement, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for surgery.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Dellwood, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. 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: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing numbness or tingling.

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: 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: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
• Cat-cow stretch: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of 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: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
• Bridges: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
• 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. Incorporating exercises such as bird-dog movements and prone extensions is essential for helping you restore control of your movements and avoid future injuries.

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 Dellwood, 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 Dellwood, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy designed to optimize outcomes.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. Our goals before surgery include:

• 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. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

• Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the 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.

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 Dellwood, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. In Dellwood, 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: 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 Dellwood, 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 Dellwood, 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 Dellwood, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!