Herniated Disc Treatment Soulard, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your day-to-day activities, but improvement is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in scientifically-backed treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or serious discomfort. Our committed physical therapy team in Soulard, MO specializes in helping you heal without surgery, using personalized plans designed to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and get you back to the activities you love.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Soulard, 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 result in a set of issues, including intense back pain or neck pain, as well as pain spreading through the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In advanced cases, it can result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, making simple activities like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Sharp, shooting pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often extending 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: 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 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 Soulard, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spinal health to determine the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Soulard, MO. Our goal is to alleviate pain, restore mobility, and enhance your daily living, all while preventing the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Soulard, MO will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects your mobility. The assessment typically involves analyzing your posture, flexibility, and how well your nerves are functioning.

• 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: 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: Careful manipulation techniques to restore proper spinal alignment and reduce nerve pressure.
  • Myofascial release: A method focused on loosening the connective tissues around muscles and organs to ease tension and reduce discomfort.
  • Trigger point dry needling: Penetrating the skin and underlying tissue with thin, filiform needles to stimulate healing and relieve muscle 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: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
• 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: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
• Bird-dog exercise: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding the spine.

Progressive Treatment Plan

As you heal, we shift from passive treatments like manual therapy to more active therapies that are geared toward strengthening your body and improving your spine’s 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.

With our comprehensive approach, patients often see significant improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life, all without needing surgery. We create individualized treatment plans that guarantee you recover at a comfortable and effective pace, making your healing process smooth and easy.

Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in Soulard, MO

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

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Engaging in physical therapy before surgery helps optimize recovery after the procedure. The primary aims of pre-surgical therapy are:

• Maximizing mobility: Focusing on building strength and flexibility in your body to promote a faster recovery once surgery is complete.
• 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: 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: Through education on posture, body mechanics, and safe movements.

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 Soulard, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. With over 15 years of experience, our licensed physical and occupational therapists in Soulard, MO design tailored treatment plans that target both the symptoms and root 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 Soulard, MO include:

• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Soulard, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you conquer the pain and restrictions of a herniated disc. Whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or recover after one, our expert therapists will create a personalized, scientifically backed treatment plan to restore your mobility and get you back to the activities you love. Don’t let a herniated disc dampen your life—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Soulard, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!