Herniated Disc Treatment New Haven, MO. A herniated disc can disrupt your day-to-day activities, but recovery is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatments customized for your specific needs, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or severe pain. Our expert physical therapy team in New Haven, MO focuses on helping you heal non-surgically, using individualized plans intended to relieve pain, increase flexibility, and help you return to the things you enjoy.

Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in New Haven, MO. Request an appointment online, 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, gel-like center of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) bulges out from its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a set of issues, 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 extreme 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: Sharp, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often affecting the limbs (sciatica).
• Numbness or tingling: It’s typical to feel numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, often as a result of compressed nerves.
• 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: Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility, reducing their ability to cushion the spine, which increases the risk of injury.
• Injury and improper lifting: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
• Repetitive movements: Jobs or activities that involve repeated bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects increase the risk of 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 New Haven, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan customized for your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey quickly and effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in New Haven, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in New Haven, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, improve movement, and boost your well-being, all while preventing the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in New Haven, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. This will cover multiple factors, such as your range of motion, spinal alignment, and nerve reflexes.

• Posture analysis: Evaluating any posture misalignments that might be affecting your spine and overall condition.
• 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: Subtle adjustments aimed at correcting spinal misalignment and alleviating nerve compression.
  • Myofascial release: A method focused on loosening the connective tissues around muscles and organs to ease tension and reduce discomfort.
  • 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: Strengthens core muscles, reducing pressure on the spine and alleviating pain.
• McKenzie extension: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully 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: 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: 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. Incorporating exercises such as bird-dog movements and prone extensions is essential for helping you restore control of your movements and avoid future injuries.

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 New Haven, 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 assist New Haven, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab 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: Focusing on building strength and flexibility in your body to promote a faster recovery once surgery is complete.
• Reducing pain and inflammation: Employing therapeutic techniques to minimize discomfort and swelling before your procedure.

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: 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 objective is to maximize the success of any necessary surgeries so you can resume your normal and enjoyable activities in New Haven, MO, free from pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in New Haven, MO?

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. Our New Haven, MO licensed physical and occupational therapists with over 15 years of experience create personalized, comprehensive treatment plans that address both the immediate symptoms and the underlying causes of your condition.

Why Patients Trust Us:

• Experience: Our therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
• Patient-Centered Care: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
• Cutting-Edge Techniques: Utilizing the most up-to-date therapy methods, we incorporate everything from manual therapy to specialized exercises for herniated disc recovery.

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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!