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

Herniated Disc Treatment Maryknoll, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is within reach with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatments customized for your unique condition, whether you’re experiencing minor aches or serious discomfort. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Maryknoll, MO focuses on supporting your healing without surgery, using individualized plans created to reduce pain, improve movement, and get you back to the activities you love.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO. Request an appointment through our website, 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) pushes through 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 severe cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Acute, radiating pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or neck (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: 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: 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: 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.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Maryknoll, MO. Our objective is to ease pain, increase flexibility, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Maryknoll, MO will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects your mobility. This will cover multiple factors, such as your range of motion, spinal alignment, and nerve reflexes.

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: Our highly trained therapists perform hands-on manipulation of soft tissues and joints to relieve pain, ease muscle tension, and improve spinal 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: 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: 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: 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: Helps to gently stretch the lower back, reducing tension and providing relief in the lumbar region.
Bird-dog exercise: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding 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.

With our comprehensive approach, patients often see significant improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life, all without needing 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 Maryknoll, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we assist Maryknoll, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

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: 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 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: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.

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 Maryknoll, MO without pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Maryknoll, 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 Maryknoll, 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.

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 Maryknoll, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Maryknoll, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you conquer the pain and restrictions of a herniated disc. Our skilled therapists will develop a customized, evidence-based treatment plan to help you recover from surgery or avoid it altogether, restoring your mobility and allowing you to enjoy the things you love. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!

Maryknoll, MO