Herniated Disc Treatment Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO. A herniated disc can interfere with your routine, but improvement is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on research-supported treatments customized for your unique condition, whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or serious discomfort. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO is committed to helping you heal without surgery, using personalized plans intended to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the life you love.
Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, 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 injury affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) bulges out from its outer layer, compressing nearby nerves. This condition can cause a variety of symptoms, including severe back discomfort 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 result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down hard to perform.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Acute, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often spreading to the limbs (sciatica).
- Numbness or tingling: It’s typical to feel numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, often as a result of compressed nerves.
- 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 age, our spinal discs naturally lose hydration, flexibility, and cushioning ability, making them more prone to injury.
- 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.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, getting you started on your healing journey as soon as possible.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO. Our aim is to reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for surgery.
The Evaluation Process
At Axes Physical Therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, 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 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: 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: Our licensed therapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate soft tissues and joints, reducing pain and muscle tension while improving spine mobility. This can involve:
- Spinal mobilization: Gentle adjustments to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Myofascial release: A method focused on loosening the connective tissues around muscles and organs to ease tension and reduce discomfort.
- 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: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently extending the spine.
- Cat-cow stretch: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
- Lumbar stabilization: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress 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: 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: 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. 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 Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, 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 support Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:
- 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:
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: Focusing on strengthening your core and spinal support muscles.
- Restoring mobility: Working to help you move freely again while reducing any discomfort.
- Preventing future injuries: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.
We aim to make sure that when surgery is required, it’s as effective as possible, helping you get back to the things you love in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO?
At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, 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: 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.
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 Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO include:
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO
We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by 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 Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!
