Herniated Disc Treatment Sunset Hills, MO

Herniated Disc Treatment Sunset Hills, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but healing is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in research-supported treatments customized for your specific needs, whether you’re experiencing minor aches or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Sunset Hills, MO specializes in supporting your healing without surgery, using individualized plans designed to alleviate discomfort, 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 Sunset Hills, MO. Schedule an appointment online, call 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, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) protrudes through its outer layer, compressing nearby nerves. This condition can cause 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 challenging.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Intense, shooting pain in the lower back (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: A reduction in muscle strength in the arms or legs is usually an indication of more serious 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: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
Repetitive movements: Repeated movements like bending, twisting, or heavy lifting in certain jobs or activities heighten the chances of a disc injury.
Poor posture: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Sunset Hills, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This helps us develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

Herniated Disc Treatment Greater Sunset Hills, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs Near Sunset Hills

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Sunset Hills, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Sunset Hills, MO. Our aim is to reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

During your initial consultation, our physical therapists in Sunset Hills, 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: 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: 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: Inserting fine needles into the skin and muscles to promote healing and alleviate tension, inflammation, and pain.

Targeted Exercises:

Pelvic tilt: By strengthening the core, pelvic tilts help lessen pressure on the spine, leading to pain relief.
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: Increases flexibility in the legs, which reduces 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: Builds core stability and balance, helping to strengthen the muscles that support 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. Incorporating exercises such as bird-dog movements and prone extensions is essential for helping you restore control of your movements and avoid future injuries.

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 Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Using physical therapy to prepare for surgery can significantly improve post-surgical recovery. 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 recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

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: By teaching you about proper posture, body mechanics, and safe ways to move.

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 Sunset Hills, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. In Sunset Hills, MO, our licensed physical and occupational therapists bring 15+ years of expertise to crafting customized plans that address not only your symptoms but also the deeper issues causing your condition.

Why Patients Trust Us:

Experience: Our therapists have vast experience managing a variety of spinal conditions.
Patient-Centered Care: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, focusing on both their physical and emotional well-being.
Cutting-Edge Techniques: Utilizing the most up-to-date therapy methods, we incorporate everything from manual therapy to specialized exercises for herniated disc recovery.

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 Sunset Hills, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!