Herniated Disc Treatment St. Louis, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is possible with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments personalized to your unique condition, whether you’re experiencing minor aches or intense pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in St. Louis, MO specializes in supporting your healing without surgery, using personalized plans intended to alleviate discomfort, restore mobility, and get you back to the life you love.

Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO. Make an appointment through our website, give a call to 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, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a range 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 severe cases, it can lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Acute, spreading pain in the lumbar region (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting 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: Jobs or activities that involve repeated bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects increase the risk of 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 St. Louis, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spine health to assess the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This helps us develop a treatment plan customized for your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey quickly and effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in St. Louis, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in St. Louis, MO. Our objective is to ease pain, increase flexibility, and improve your quality of life, all while preventing the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in St. Louis, 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: Checking the spine’s range of motion to pinpoint areas of stiffness or limited movement.
• Nerve function testing: Testing nerve function to detect possible compression or damage leading to symptoms like numbness or tingling.

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: Subtle adjustments aimed at correcting spinal misalignment and alleviating nerve compression.
  • 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: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
• Lumbar stabilization: Increases the strength of the muscles surrounding the spine, promoting stability and reducing strain on the disc.
• Hamstring stretches: Improves leg flexibility to help reduce pressure on the lower spine.
• 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: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding 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. Incorporating exercises such as bird-dog movements and prone extensions is essential for helping you restore control of your movements and avoid future injuries.

Thanks to our all-encompassing approach, many patients enjoy improvements in pain, movement, and their overall quality of life, avoiding surgery altogether. Our personalized treatment plans ensure that you are always progressing at a pace that works for you, keeping your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in St. Louis, 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 support St. Louis, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

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: Using therapies that can help ease discomfort in the days leading up to surgery.

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: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
• Restoring mobility: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
• Preventing future injuries: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.

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 St. Louis, MO without pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, 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: Utilizing the most up-to-date therapy methods, we incorporate everything from manual therapy to specialized exercises for herniated disc recovery.

We’ve helped numerous patients return to active, pain-free lives through our treatments, and their success stories are a testament to our approach.

Other services we offer in St. Louis, MO include:

• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in St. Louis, MO

We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by a herniated disc. If you’re trying to avoid surgery or need post-surgical rehab, our expert therapists will create a tailored, scientifically supported plan to get you moving again and back to what you enjoy. Take control of your life again—contact Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO today to schedule your evaluation and begin your path to recovery!