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

Herniated Disc Treatment Fenton, MO. A herniated disc can disrupt your day-to-day activities, but recovery is within reach with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on research-supported treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or intense pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Fenton, MO focuses on supporting your healing through conservative care, using customized plans intended to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and get you back to the things you enjoy.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, MO. Request an appointment online, 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 injury 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 intense back pain 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 lead to 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 lower back (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often extending 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 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: Prolonged poor posture, whether sitting or standing, can lead to extra stress on the spine.

It’s crucial to intervene early. At Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, MO, 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 enables us to design a treatment plan personalized to your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Fenton, MO. Our objective is to reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, 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: Assessing your posture to find imbalances that could be causing or worsening your herniated disc.
Spine mobility tests: Checking the spine’s range of motion to pinpoint areas of stiffness or limited movement.
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: 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: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
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: Builds strength in the legs and lower back, promoting better posture and spinal support.
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: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. Incorporating exercises such as bird-dog movements and prone extensions is essential for helping you restore control of your movements and avoid future injuries.

Thanks to our all-encompassing approach, many patients enjoy improvements in pain, movement, and their overall quality of life, avoiding surgery altogether. 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 Fenton, 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 help Fenton, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab aimed at ensuring the best results.

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:

Post-surgery, physical therapy is crucial for restoring your strength and improving your functional abilities. 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: Through education on posture, body mechanics, and safe movements.

Our objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Fenton, MO, free from pain or limitations.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. Our Fenton, MO 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: Our team has extensive experience treating a wide range of spine-related issues.
Patient-Centered Care: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
Cutting-Edge Techniques: Utilizing the most up-to-date therapy methods, we incorporate everything from manual therapy to specialized exercises 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 Fenton, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Fenton, MO

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 Fenton, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!

Fenton, MO