Herniated Disc Treatment St. Louis, MO. A herniated disc can interfere with your routine, but healing is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on scientifically-backed treatments tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with minor aches or severe pain. Our dedicated physical therapy team in St. Louis, MO specializes in supporting your healing through conservative care, using customized plans intended to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and help you return to the life you love.

Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO. Make an appointment through our website, call the location nearest you, or come to 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, placing strain on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a set of issues, including intense back pain or neck pain, as well as pain extending to the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In extreme cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down difficult.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Acute, shooting 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 age, our spinal discs naturally lose hydration, flexibility, and cushioning ability, making them more prone to injury.
• Injury and improper lifting: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
• 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.

It’s crucial to intervene early. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to determine the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

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

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

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in St. Louis, 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: Identifying any imbalances that may be contributing to your condition.
• Spine mobility tests: Evaluating how well your spine moves to determine any restrictions in mobility.
• 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: Subtle adjustments aimed at correcting spinal misalignment and alleviating nerve compression.
  • Myofascial release: A therapy used to release tightness in the fascia, leading to reduced pain and enhanced relaxation.
  • Trigger point dry needling: Using thin needles to penetrate muscle tissue, trigger healing responses, and reduce inflammation, tension, and discomfort.

Targeted Exercises:

• Pelvic tilt: This exercise builds core strength, which helps reduce spinal pressure and ease discomfort.
• McKenzie extension: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully extending the spine.
• Cat-cow stretch: Improves spinal flexibility and reduces tension in the back muscles.
• 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: 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: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding 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. 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 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 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: 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:

After surgery, physical therapy becomes an important part of restoring function and getting you back to full strength. Our post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:

• Rebuilding strength: Focusing on strengthening your core and spinal support muscles.
• Restoring mobility: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
• 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 St. Louis, MO, free from pain or limitations.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Your Herniated Disc Treatment in St. Louis, MO?

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. Our St. Louis, 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 therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
• 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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you conquer the pain and restrictions of 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 St. Louis, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!