Herniated Disc Treatment New Melle, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but recovery is achievable with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on evidence-based treatments personalized to your specific needs, whether you’re suffering from mild discomfort or severe pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in New Melle, MO focuses on supporting your healing without surgery, using individualized plans designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the activities you love.
Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in New Melle, MO. Make an appointment online, call the location nearest you, or visit 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 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 extreme cases, it can lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down challenging.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Intense, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often extending 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: A herniated disc can occur due to sudden injuries from sports or incorrect lifting of heavy objects.
- 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 New Melle, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This enables us to develop a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey as soon as possible.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in New Melle, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in New Melle, MO. Our objective is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.
The Evaluation Process
During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in New Melle, 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: Evaluating how well your spine moves to determine any restrictions in mobility.
- 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: 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: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
- 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: Improves leg flexibility to help reduce pressure on the lower spine.
- Wall sits: Builds strength in the legs and lower back, promoting better posture and spinal support.
- Bridges: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
- 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 recovery progresses, we move from passive therapies, such as manual therapy, to more active treatments that focus on building strength and enhancing spinal health. Key exercises like bird-dog movements and prone extensions are critical for your recovery, as they help you regain control over your body and reduce the risk of 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 New Melle, 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 New Melle, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation aimed at ensuring the best results.
Pre-Surgery Therapy:
Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. Our goals before surgery include:
- 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:
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: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
- Preventing future injuries: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.
We aim to make sure that when surgery is required, it’s as effective as possible, helping you get back to the things you love in New Melle, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in New Melle, MO?
Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. Our New Melle, 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: We bring years of expertise to treating numerous spine-related concerns.
- 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 New Melle, 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 Melle, 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 New Melle, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!