Herniated Disc Treatment Florissant, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatments tailored to your individual requirements, whether you’re experiencing slight pain or severe pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Florissant, MO is committed to helping you heal without surgery, using personalized plans designed to relieve pain, improve movement, and get you back to the life you love.

Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Florissant, MO. Request an appointment online, give a call to 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) protrudes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a variety of symptoms, 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 extreme cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Sharp, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting the limbs (sciatica).
• Numbness or tingling: This is commonly experienced in the arms, legs, hands, or feet due to nerve compression.
• Muscle weakness: If you notice reduced strength in your arms or legs, it could point to a more significant compression of the nerves.

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: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
• Repetitive movements: Engaging in activities or jobs that require frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting makes you more susceptible to disc injuries.
• Poor posture: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.

It’s crucial to intervene early. At Axes Physical Therapy in Florissant, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery quickly and effectively.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Florissant, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while bypassing the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Florissant, 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. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.

• Posture analysis: Assessing your posture to find imbalances that could be causing or worsening your herniated disc.
• 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: Our highly trained therapists perform hands-on manipulation of soft tissues and joints to relieve pain, ease muscle tension, and improve spinal mobility. 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: 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: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
• Lumbar stabilization: Increases the strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, promoting stability and reducing strain on the disc.
• 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: 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. Each of our custom treatment plans is designed to help you recover at a rate that suits you, ensuring your rehabilitation is both comfortable and effective.

Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in Florissant, 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 Florissant, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. The primary aims of pre-surgical therapy are:

• Maximizing mobility: Ensuring that your body is as strong and mobile as possible to support faster recovery post-surgery.
• Reducing pain and inflammation: Employing therapeutic techniques to minimize discomfort and swelling before your procedure.

Post-Surgery Therapy:

After surgery, physical therapy becomes an important part of restoring function and getting you back to full strength. We design post-surgical rehab plans with a focus on:

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

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

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. With over 15 years of experience, our licensed physical and occupational therapists in Florissant, MO design tailored treatment plans that target both the symptoms and root causes of 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: 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 Florissant, MO include:

• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Florissant, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you conquer the pain and restrictions of 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 Florissant, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!