Herniated Disc Treatment East St. Louis, IL | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment East St. Louis, IL. 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 are experts in research-supported treatments tailored to your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from minor aches or intense pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in East St. Louis, IL is committed to supporting your healing through conservative care, using personalized plans intended to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the life you love.

Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in East St. Louis, IL. Schedule an appointment through our website, call 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 condition 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 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 advanced cases, it can result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Intense, radiating pain in the lower back (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: 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: 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: Jobs or activities that involve repeated bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects increase the risk of 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 East St. Louis, IL, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us create a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey quickly and effectively.

Herniated Disc Treatment Greater East St. Louis, IL | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs Near East St. Louis

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in East St. Louis, IL

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in East St. Louis, IL. Our objective is to reduce discomfort, restore mobility, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in East St. Louis, IL, 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 includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.

Posture analysis: Evaluating any posture misalignments that might be affecting your spine and overall condition.
Spine mobility tests: Assessing the range of motion in your spine and identifying areas where movement is restricted.
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: 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 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: 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: Stretches the hamstrings to alleviate strain on the lower back.
Wall sits: This exercise strengthens the lower back and legs, helping to improve posture and provide better support for the spine.
Bridges: Strengthens the glutes and lower back, helping to support the spine and reduce pain.
Knee-to-chest stretch: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
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.

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 East St. Louis, IL

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

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

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 post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:

Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
Restoring mobility: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
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 East St. Louis, IL, pain-free and without restrictions.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in East St. Louis, IL?

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In East St. Louis, IL, 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: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
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 East St. Louis, IL include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in East St. Louis, IL

At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations caused by a herniated disc. Our skilled therapists will develop a customized, evidence-based treatment plan to help you recover from surgery or avoid it altogether, restoring your mobility and allowing you to enjoy the things you love. Don’t let a herniated disc dampen your life—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in East St. Louis, IL today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!

East St. Louis, IL