Herniated Disc Treatment Glen Carbon, IL | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Glen Carbon, IL. A herniated disc can interfere with your day-to-day activities, but recovery is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in scientifically-backed treatments customized for your specific needs, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or serious discomfort. Our committed physical therapy team in Glen Carbon, IL is committed to helping you heal through conservative care, using individualized plans designed to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and get you back to the life you love.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Glen Carbon, IL. Make an appointment through our website, give a call to the location nearest you, or drop by 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) bulges out from its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a variety of symptoms, including severe back discomfort or neck pain, as well as pain radiating into 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 daily tasks 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: 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: 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: 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.

Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Glen Carbon, IL, we conduct a thorough assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This helps us develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey as soon as possible.

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

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Glen Carbon, IL

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Glen Carbon, IL. Our objective is to reduce discomfort, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while avoiding the need for surgery.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Glen Carbon, IL will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects your mobility. This will cover multiple factors, such as your range of motion, spinal alignment, and nerve reflexes.

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: Testing nerve function to detect possible compression or damage leading to symptoms like numbness or tingling.

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 technique to reduce tightness in the connective tissues that surround muscles and organs, promoting overall relaxation and reducing pain.
- 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: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently extending the spine.
Cat-cow stretch: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
Lumbar stabilization: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress on the disc.
Hamstring stretches: Stretches the hamstrings to alleviate strain on the lower back.
Wall sits: Builds strength in the legs and lower back, promoting better posture and spinal support.
Bridges: Strengthens the glutes and lower back, helping to support the spine and reduce pain.
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 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.

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. 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 Glen Carbon, 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 Glen Carbon, IL patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy aimed at ensuring the best results.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Engaging in physical therapy before surgery helps optimize recovery after the procedure. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

Maximizing mobility: Ensuring that your body is as strong and mobile as possible to support faster recovery post-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. 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: 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.

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 Glen Carbon, IL without pain or limitations.

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

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 Glen Carbon, IL 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: 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 Glen Carbon, IL include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Glen Carbon, IL

We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by a herniated disc. Whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or recover after one, our expert therapists will create a personalized, scientifically backed treatment plan to restore your mobility and get you back to the activities you love. Don’t let a herniated disc slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Glen Carbon, IL now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!

Glen Carbon, IL