Herniated Disc Treatment Old Monroe, MO. A herniated disc can disrupt your routine, but improvement is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on research-supported treatments tailored to your unique condition, whether you’re dealing with slight pain or severe pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Old Monroe, MO is committed to supporting your healing non-surgically, using individualized plans created to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the activities you love.
Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Old Monroe, MO. Request an appointment online, contact 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, compressing nearby nerves. This condition can cause a set of issues, including severe back discomfort or neck pain, as well as pain radiating into 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, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Sharp, radiating 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: 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: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
- Repetitive movements: Engaging in activities or jobs that require frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting makes you more susceptible to disc injuries.
- Poor posture: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.
Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Old Monroe, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to assess the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This enables us to create 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 Old Monroe, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Old Monroe, MO. Our goal is to reduce discomfort, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for surgical interventions.
The Evaluation Process
During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Old Monroe, 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: Assessing your posture to find imbalances that could be causing or worsening your herniated disc.
- 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: With manual therapy, our licensed specialists work directly on your soft tissues and joints to alleviate pain and tension, while helping to enhance your spine’s flexibility. 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: Using thin needles to penetrate muscle tissue, trigger healing responses, and reduce inflammation, tension, and discomfort.
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: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
- 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: Strengthens the glutes and lower back, helping to support the spine and reduce pain.
- Knee-to-chest stretch: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
- Bird-dog exercise: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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.
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 Old Monroe, 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 Old Monroe, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab 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: 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:
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: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
- 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 Old Monroe, MO without pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Old Monroe, MO?
At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Old Monroe, 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 therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
- Patient-Centered Care: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, focusing on both their physical and emotional well-being.
- 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 Old Monroe, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Old Monroe, 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 Old Monroe, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!