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

Herniated Disc Treatment Hillsboro, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your day-to-day activities, but recovery is achievable with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatments personalized to your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with minor aches or severe pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Hillsboro, MO is committed to supporting your healing non-surgically, using customized plans intended to alleviate discomfort, restore mobility, and help you return to the activities you love.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, MO. Request an appointment through our website, call the location nearest you, or visit 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) protrudes through its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a set of issues, including intense back pain 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, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Sharp, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often extending 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 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: 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 Hillsboro, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to assess the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Hillsboro, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while avoiding the need for surgery.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Hillsboro, 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: 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: 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 method focused on loosening the connective tissues around muscles and organs to ease tension and reduce discomfort.
- Trigger point dry needling: Penetrating the skin and underlying tissue with thin, filiform needles to stimulate healing and relieve muscle 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: 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: 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 your condition improves, we transition from passive treatments, like manual therapy, to more active therapies designed to strengthen your body and improve your overall spinal health. Exercises like bird-dog movements and prone extensions become key components of your recovery, helping you regain control over your movements and prevent further injury.

Thanks to our all-encompassing approach, many patients enjoy improvements in pain, movement, and their overall quality of life, avoiding surgery altogether. 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 Hillsboro, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we help Hillsboro, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab designed to optimize outcomes.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. 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:

After surgery, physical therapy becomes an important part of restoring function and getting you back to full strength. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the 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 objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Hillsboro, MO, free from pain or limitations.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. With over 15 years of experience, our licensed physical and occupational therapists in Hillsboro, MO design tailored treatment plans that target both the symptoms and root 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: Our team employs cutting-edge techniques, including manual therapy and advanced exercise programs for herniated disc rehabilitation.

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 Hillsboro, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!