Herniated Disc Treatment Lake St. Louis, MO. A herniated disc can disrupt your day-to-day activities, but healing is achievable with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in research-supported treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re dealing with minor aches or severe pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Lake St. Louis, MO is committed to helping you heal without surgery, using individualized plans created to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and help you return to the activities you love.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO. Make an appointment online, contact 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) pushes through its outer layer, compressing nearby nerves. This condition can cause a range 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 severe cases, it can result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Intense, shooting 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: A reduction in muscle strength in the arms or legs is usually an indication of more serious 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: Engaging in activities or jobs that require frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting makes you more susceptible to disc injuries.
• Poor posture: Maintaining poor posture over extended periods can add unnecessary pressure to the spine.

Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Lake St. Louis, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your alignment, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This helps us create a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Lake St. Louis, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Lake St. Louis, MO. Our objective is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and improve your quality of life, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Lake 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: Identifying any imbalances that may be contributing to your 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: Careful manipulation techniques to restore proper spinal alignment and reduce nerve pressure.
  • 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: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
• Cat-cow stretch: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
• Lumbar stabilization: Increases the strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, promoting stability and reducing strain 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: 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. 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 Lake 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 Lake St. Louis, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation 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: Employing therapeutic techniques to minimize discomfort and swelling before your procedure.

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: 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: 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 Lake St. Louis, MO without pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Lake St. Louis, MO?

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 Lake St. Louis, MO design tailored treatment plans that target both the symptoms and root causes of your condition.

Why Patients Trust Us:

• Experience: Our therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
• 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.

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 Lake St. Louis, MO include:

• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vertigo Treatment
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment

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