Herniated Disc Treatment Midtown St. Louis, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is achievable with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments personalized to your individual requirements, whether you’re experiencing mild discomfort or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Midtown St. Louis, MO is committed to helping you heal without surgery, using personalized plans intended to reduce pain, improve movement, and help you return to the activities you love.

Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Midtown St. Louis, MO. Request an appointment through our website, contact 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 injury affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) bulges out from its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a set of issues, including sharp pain in the back 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 resting or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Acute, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often spreading to 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: 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.

It’s crucial to intervene early. At Axes Physical Therapy in Midtown St. Louis, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This helps us develop a treatment plan personalized to your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery quickly and effectively.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Midtown St. Louis, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Midtown 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: Assessing the range of motion in your spine and identifying areas where movement is restricted.
• Nerve function testing: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing numbness or tingling.

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 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: Strengthens core muscles, reducing pressure on the spine and alleviating pain.
• McKenzie extension: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently extending the spine.
• Cat-cow stretch: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
• Lumbar stabilization: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress on the disc.
• Hamstring stretches: Improves leg flexibility to help reduce pressure on the lower spine.
• Wall sits: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
• 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 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.

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 Midtown St. Louis, 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 Midtown St. Louis, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab aimed at ensuring the best results.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. 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: Using therapies that can help ease discomfort in the days leading up to surgery.

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: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
• Preventing future injuries: Providing education on how to maintain good posture and safe body mechanics to avoid future injuries.

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 Midtown St. Louis, MO without pain or limitations.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. In Midtown St. Louis, 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.

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 Midtown St. Louis, MO include:

• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Midtown St. Louis, MO

We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by a herniated disc. Whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or recover after one, our expert therapists will create a personalized, scientifically backed treatment plan to restore your mobility and get you back to the activities you love. Don’t let a herniated disc slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Midtown St. Louis, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!