Herniated Disc Treatment Peerless Park, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in research-supported treatments tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with minor aches or severe pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Peerless Park, MO specializes in supporting your healing non-surgically, using customized plans intended to relieve pain, restore mobility, and get you back to the things you enjoy.
Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Peerless Park, MO. Schedule an appointment through our website, contact the location nearest you, or drop by 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, gel-like center of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a variety of symptoms, including sharp pain in the back or neck pain, as well as pain extending to 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 daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.
Herniated disc symptoms include:
- Pain: Acute, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often spreading 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 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: Jobs or activities that involve repeated bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects increase the risk of disc injury.
- Poor posture: Prolonged poor posture, whether sitting or standing, can lead to extra stress on the spine.
Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Peerless Park, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spinal health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan personalized to your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery quickly and effectively.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Peerless Park, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Peerless Park, MO. Our goal is to alleviate pain, improve movement, and enhance your daily living, all while bypassing the need for invasive procedures.
The Evaluation Process
At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Peerless Park, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.
- Posture analysis: Assessing your posture to find imbalances that could be causing or worsening your herniated disc.
- Spine mobility tests: Checking the spine’s range of motion to pinpoint areas of stiffness or limited movement.
- Nerve function testing: Evaluating any signs of nerve damage or compression that may be causing 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 technique to reduce tightness in the connective tissues that surround muscles and organs, promoting overall relaxation and reducing pain.
- 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: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently extending the spine.
- Cat-cow stretch: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
- Lumbar stabilization: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
- Hamstring stretches: Stretches the hamstrings to alleviate 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: Gently stretches the lower back, relieving tension in the lumbar area.
- 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.
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 Peerless Park, 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 help Peerless Park, MO patients both before and after surgery with specialized rehab to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
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: 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:
Following surgery, physical therapy plays a key role in helping you regain function and rebuild strength. Our post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:
- Rebuilding strength: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your spine.
- Restoring mobility: Working to help you move freely again while reducing any discomfort.
- 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 Peerless Park, MO, free from pain or limitations.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Peerless Park, MO?
At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. Our Peerless Park, 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: Our team employs cutting-edge techniques, including manual therapy and advanced exercise programs for herniated disc rehabilitation.
Our success stories speak for themselves, with countless patients regaining the ability to live active, pain-free lives after undergoing treatment with us.
Other services we offer in Peerless Park, 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 Peerless Park, MO
We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges 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 Peerless Park, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!