Herniated Disc Treatment Glendale, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your routine, but improvement is within reach with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in research-supported treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re dealing with slight pain or severe pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Glendale, MO is committed to helping you heal through conservative care, using personalized plans designed to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, and help you return to the activities you love.
Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Glendale, MO. Make an appointment online, 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, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a set of issues, 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 severe cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Acute, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often extending to the limbs (sciatica).
- Numbness or tingling: This is commonly experienced in the arms, legs, hands, or feet due to 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: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
- Repetitive movements: Repeated movements like bending, twisting, or heavy lifting in certain jobs or activities heighten the chances of a disc injury.
- Poor posture: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Glendale, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This enables us to create a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Glendale, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Glendale, MO. Our goal is to alleviate pain, restore mobility, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for surgery.
The Evaluation Process
At Axes Physical Therapy in Glendale, 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: Evaluating how well your spine moves to determine any restrictions in mobility.
- 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 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: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully extending the spine.
- Cat-cow stretch: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
- Lumbar stabilization: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
- Hamstring stretches: Improves leg flexibility to help reduce pressure on the lower spine.
- 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: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
- Bird-dog exercise: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. Key exercises like bird-dog movements and prone extensions are critical for your recovery, as they help you regain control over your body and reduce the risk of further injury.
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 Glendale, 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 Glendale, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy aimed at ensuring the best results.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. Our goals before surgery include:
- Maximizing mobility: We aim to strengthen and increase your mobility to ensure a quicker recovery after surgery.
- Reducing pain and inflammation: Providing treatments to lower pain and reduce inflammation before surgery to improve comfort.
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: Focusing on strengthening your core and spinal support muscles.
- Restoring mobility: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
- 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 Glendale, MO, free from pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Glendale, MO?
At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Glendale, MO, 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: Our team employs cutting-edge techniques, including manual therapy and advanced exercise programs for herniated disc rehabilitation.
The success of our patients, many of whom have regained full mobility and live pain-free, speaks volumes about the quality of care we provide.
Other services we offer in Glendale, MO include:
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Glendale, 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. Don’t let a herniated disc slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Glendale, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!
