Herniated Disc Treatment Edwardsville, IL | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Edwardsville, IL. A herniated disc can disrupt your daily life, but healing is within reach with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments personalized to your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or serious discomfort. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Edwardsville, IL specializes in helping you heal non-surgically, using personalized plans created to alleviate discomfort, increase flexibility, and help you return to the life you love.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Edwardsville, IL. Request an appointment online, contact 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, gel-like center of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a set of issues, 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 result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Sharp, spreading pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting 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: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
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.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Edwardsville, IL, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery quickly and effectively.

Herniated Disc Treatment Greater Edwardsville, IL | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs Near Edwardsville

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Edwardsville, IL

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Edwardsville, IL. Our objective is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and improve your quality of life, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Edwardsville, IL will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. The assessment typically involves analyzing your posture, flexibility, and how well your nerves are functioning.

Posture analysis: Identifying any imbalances that may be contributing to your condition.
Spine mobility tests: Assessing the range of motion in your spine and identifying areas where movement is restricted.
Nerve function testing: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing 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: 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: By strengthening the core, pelvic tilts help lessen pressure on the spine, leading to pain relief.
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: 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: This exercise strengthens the lower back and legs, helping to improve posture and provide better support for the spine.
Bridges: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
Knee-to-chest stretch: Helps to gently stretch the lower back, reducing tension and providing relief in the lumbar region.
Bird-dog exercise: Builds core stability and balance, helping to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.

Progressive Treatment Plan

As you heal, we shift from passive treatments like manual therapy to more active therapies that are geared toward strengthening your body and improving your spine’s 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. 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 Edwardsville, IL

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 support Edwardsville, IL 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. 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:

Following surgery, physical therapy plays a key role in helping you regain function and rebuild strength. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

Rebuilding strength: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your 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.

Our goal is to ensure that surgery, when needed, is as successful as possible, allowing you to return to your everyday and favorite activities in Edwardsville, IL without pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Edwardsville, IL?

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. Our Edwardsville, IL licensed physical and occupational therapists with over 15 years of experience create personalized, comprehensive treatment plans that address both the immediate symptoms and the underlying causes of 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.

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 Edwardsville, IL include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Edwardsville, 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. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Edwardsville, IL today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!

Edwardsville, IL