Herniated Disc Treatment Manchester, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your daily life, but recovery is achievable with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on evidence-based treatments personalized to your individual requirements, whether you’re dealing with slight pain or severe pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Manchester, MO focuses on helping you heal without surgery, using personalized plans designed to relieve pain, improve movement, and help you return to the things you enjoy.
Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO. Schedule an appointment through our website, give a call to 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, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a variety of symptoms, including sharp pain in the back or neck pain, as well as pain radiating into the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In advanced cases, it can lead to 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, radiating pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting the limbs (sciatica).
- Numbness or tingling: This is commonly experienced in the arms, legs, hands, or feet due to 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: A herniated disc can occur due to sudden injuries from sports or incorrect lifting of heavy objects.
- 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.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your alignment, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Manchester, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Manchester, MO. Our goal is to reduce discomfort, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.
The Evaluation Process
At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Manchester, 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: 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 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: This exercise builds core strength, which helps reduce spinal pressure and ease discomfort.
- McKenzie extension: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully extending the spine.
- Cat-cow stretch: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
- 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: This exercise strengthens the lower back and legs, helping to improve posture and provide better support for the spine.
- Bridges: Builds strength in the glutes and lower back, contributing to better spinal support and pain relief.
- Knee-to-chest stretch: Gently stretches the lower back, relieving tension in the lumbar area.
- Bird-dog exercise: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. 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.
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 Manchester, MO
Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we assist Manchester, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation designed to optimize outcomes.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. The primary aims of pre-surgical therapy are:
- 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. 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 objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Manchester, MO, free from pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Manchester, MO?
At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Manchester, 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 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: We use the latest in therapy techniques, from manual manipulation to advanced exercise regimens designed for herniated disc recovery.
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 Manchester, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Manchester, 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. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!