Herniated Disc Treatment O’Fallon, MO. A herniated disc can disrupt your day-to-day activities, but healing is achievable with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from minor aches or intense pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in O’Fallon, MO specializes in helping you heal without surgery, using personalized plans designed to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, 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 O’Fallon, MO. Make 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) protrudes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can result in a variety of symptoms, including severe back discomfort or neck pain, as well as pain extending to the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In extreme cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Sharp, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often spreading to 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: 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: 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: 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.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spine health to assess the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This allows us to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, helping you get on the path to recovery quickly and effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in O’Fallon, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in O’Fallon, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, improve movement, and improve your quality of life, all while avoiding the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in O’Fallon, 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
• 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: Builds strength in the legs and lower back, promoting better posture and spinal support.
• Bridges: Strengthens the glutes and lower back, helping to support the spine and reduce pain.
• Knee-to-chest stretch: Gently stretches the lower back, relieving tension in the lumbar area.
• 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. 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. 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 O’Fallon, MO

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

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: 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: 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 O’Fallon, MO, free from pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in O’Fallon, MO?

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. Our O’Fallon, 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 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: We use the latest in therapy techniques, from manual manipulation to advanced exercise regimens designed 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 O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations caused by 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. Don’t let a herniated disc dampen your life—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!