Herniated Disc Treatment Midtown St. Louis, MO. A herniated disc can interfere with your day-to-day activities, but healing is possible with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on research-supported treatments tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re suffering from mild discomfort or intense pain. Our committed physical therapy team in Midtown St. Louis, MO specializes in helping you heal through conservative care, using individualized plans designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and get you back to the activities you love.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Midtown St. Louis, MO. Schedule an appointment through our website, give a call to 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) pushes through its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a range of symptoms, 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 lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Intense, shooting 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: If you notice reduced strength in your arms or legs, it could point to a more significant compression of the nerves.

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: 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: 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 carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spinal health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Midtown St. Louis, MO. Our objective is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and improve your quality of life, all while preventing the need for surgery.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Midtown St. Louis, MO will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects your mobility. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.

• Posture analysis: Evaluating any posture misalignments that might be affecting your spine and overall condition.
• Spine mobility tests: Checking the spine’s range of motion to pinpoint areas of stiffness or limited movement.
• Nerve function testing: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing 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: 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: 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: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress on the disc.
• Hamstring stretches: Stretches the hamstrings to alleviate 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: 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: Builds core stability and balance, helping to strengthen the muscles that support 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.

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 Midtown 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 Midtown St. Louis, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy designed to optimize outcomes.

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: Focusing on building strength and flexibility in your body to promote a faster recovery once surgery is complete.
• 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: Focusing on strengthening your core and spinal support muscles.
• 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 objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in Midtown St. Louis, MO, free from pain or limitations.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. 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: 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 Midtown St. Louis, MO include:

• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations 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. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in Midtown St. Louis, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!