Herniated Disc Treatment St. Peters, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is within reach with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique condition, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in St. Peters, MO focuses on supporting your healing through conservative care, using personalized plans designed to relieve pain, improve movement, and help you return to the life you love.

Take control of your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in St. Peters, MO. Make 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 injury affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) protrudes through its outer layer, compressing nearby nerves. This condition can result in a range of symptoms, 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 severe cases, it can result in weakness or numbness in the limbs, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Intense, radiating 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: 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: Over time, spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility, reducing their ability to cushion the spine, which increases the risk of 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: 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. Peters, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your posture, movement, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to create a treatment plan customized for your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey as soon as possible.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in St. Peters, MO. Our aim is to ease pain, improve movement, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for surgery.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in St. Peters, MO will carry out a detailed examination to evaluate the extent of your disc herniation and how it affects your mobility. 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: 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: Careful manipulation techniques to restore proper spinal alignment and reduce nerve pressure.
  • 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: Using thin needles to penetrate muscle tissue, trigger healing responses, and reduce inflammation, tension, and discomfort.

Targeted Exercises:

• Pelvic tilt: By strengthening the core, pelvic tilts help lessen pressure on the spine, leading to pain relief.
• McKenzie extension: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
• Cat-cow stretch: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
• Lumbar stabilization: Strengthens muscles supporting the spine to enhance stability and reduce stress on the disc.
• 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: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
• Knee-to-chest stretch: Helps to gently stretch the lower back, reducing tension and providing relief in the lumbar region.
• 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. 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.

Our thorough treatment approach allows patients to experience notable reductions in pain, increased mobility, and a better quality of life, without the need for surgery. 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. Peters, 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 St. Peters, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation 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: 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.

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. Peters, MO without pain or limitations.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. With over 15 years of experience, our licensed physical and occupational therapists in St. Peters, 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: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, focusing on both their physical and emotional well-being.
• 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 St. Peters, MO include:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and limitations 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. Don’t let a herniated disc dampen your life—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in St. Peters, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!