Herniated Disc Treatment Owensville, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your routine, but healing is possible with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on scientifically-backed treatments personalized to your individual requirements, whether you’re experiencing minor aches or serious discomfort. Our expert physical therapy team in Owensville, MO is committed to supporting your healing through conservative care, using individualized plans intended to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, and get you back to the life you love.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Owensville, MO. Schedule 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, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to 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 daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Acute, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or neck (cervical herniation), often spreading to the limbs (sciatica).
• Numbness or tingling: A frequent symptom is numbness or tingling in the limbs, particularly the arms, legs, hands, or feet, which occurs because of 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: Prolonged poor posture, whether sitting or standing, can lead to extra stress on the spine.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Owensville, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan tailored to your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Owensville, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Owensville, MO. Our aim is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for surgery.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Owensville, 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: Identifying any imbalances that may be contributing to your condition.
• Spine mobility tests: Assessing the range of motion in your spine and identifying areas where movement is restricted.
• Nerve function testing: Testing nerve function to detect possible compression or damage leading to symptoms like numbness or tingling.

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: 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: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently 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: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
• Bridges: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
• Knee-to-chest stretch: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
• 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. 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.

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 Owensville, MO

Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we help Owensville, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab aimed at ensuring the best results.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

• Maximizing mobility: We aim to strengthen and increase your mobility to ensure a quicker recovery after 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. We design post-surgical rehab plans with a focus on:

• Rebuilding strength: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your spine.
• Restoring mobility: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
• 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 Owensville, MO without pain or limitations.

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

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Owensville, 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: We bring years of expertise to treating numerous spine-related concerns.
• Patient-Centered Care: Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual, ensuring that both their physical and emotional health are prioritized.
• 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 Owensville, 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 Owensville, 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 slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Owensville, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!