Herniated Disc Treatment Kirkwood, MO

Herniated Disc Treatment Kirkwood, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in research-supported treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re experiencing minor aches or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Kirkwood, MO is committed to helping you heal without surgery, using individualized plans created to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, and get you back to the things you enjoy.

Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Kirkwood, MO. Request an appointment through our website, call 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 condition affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a range 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 severe 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, spreading pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often extending 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: 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: Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility, reducing their ability to cushion the spine, which increases the risk of injury.
Injury and improper lifting: A herniated disc can occur due to sudden injuries from sports or incorrect lifting of heavy objects.
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.

Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Kirkwood, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us create a treatment plan personalized to your specific needs, getting you started on your healing journey quickly and effectively.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Kirkwood, MO. Our goal is to reduce discomfort, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while bypassing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Kirkwood, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. 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 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: 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: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
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: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
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: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. 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.

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 Kirkwood, MO

Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we support Kirkwood, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy aimed at ensuring the best results.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

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

Post-surgery, physical therapy is crucial for restoring your strength and improving your functional abilities. Our post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:

Rebuilding strength: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your spine.
Restoring mobility: Working to help you move freely again while reducing any discomfort.
Preventing future injuries: Through education on posture, body mechanics, and safe movements.

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 Kirkwood, MO without pain or limitations.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. In Kirkwood, 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: Our team has extensive experience treating a wide range of spine-related issues.
Patient-Centered Care: We customize each care plan to the patient, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
Cutting-Edge Techniques: Our team employs cutting-edge techniques, including manual therapy and advanced exercise programs for herniated disc rehabilitation.

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 Kirkwood, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Kirkwood, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations 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. Don’t let a herniated disc slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Kirkwood, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!