Herniated Disc Treatment Webster Groves, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Webster Groves, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but recovery is within reach with the appropriate treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on evidence-based treatments personalized to your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from minor aches or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Webster Groves, MO focuses on helping you heal through conservative care, using individualized plans designed to alleviate discomfort, improve movement, and help you return to the things you enjoy.

Start managing your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Webster Groves, MO. Request an appointment through our website, contact 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 condition affecting the spine, where the soft, inner material of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can cause a variety of symptoms, 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, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down challenging.

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: 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: 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: Trauma, like sports injuries or lifting improperly, can cause discs in the spine to herniate.
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.

Addressing the issue early on is vital. At Axes Physical Therapy in Webster Groves, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan customized for your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery quickly and effectively.

Herniated Disc Treatment Greater Webster Groves, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs Near Webster Groves

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Webster Groves, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on non-invasive approaches to treating herniated discs in Webster Groves, MO. Our aim is to alleviate pain, increase flexibility, and enhance your daily living, all while avoiding the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Webster Groves, MO will perform a thorough assessment to understand how the herniated disc is impacting your movement. The assessment typically involves analyzing your posture, flexibility, and how well your nerves are functioning.

Posture analysis: Evaluating any posture misalignments that might be affecting your spine and overall 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 highly trained therapists perform hands-on manipulation of soft tissues and joints to relieve pain, ease muscle tension, and improve spinal mobility. 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: Strengthens core muscles, reducing pressure on the spine and alleviating pain.
McKenzie extension: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
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: Stretches the hamstrings to alleviate strain on the lower back.
Wall sits: This exercise strengthens the lower back and legs, helping to improve posture and provide better support for the spine.
Bridges: This exercise targets the glutes and lower back, offering additional support to the spine and alleviating discomfort.
Knee-to-chest stretch: Eases tension in the lower back by gently stretching the lumbar area, offering relief.
Bird-dog exercise: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, 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. Before surgery, we focus on achieving the following objectives:

Maximizing mobility: We aim to strengthen and increase your mobility to ensure a quicker recovery after surgery.
Reducing pain and inflammation: Employing therapeutic techniques to minimize discomfort and swelling before your procedure.

Post-Surgery Therapy:

Post-surgery, physical therapy is crucial for restoring your strength and improving your functional abilities. Our post-surgical rehabilitation plans focus on:

Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
Restoring mobility: Helping you regain normal movement patterns while minimizing pain.
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 Webster Groves, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. Our Webster Groves, 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: 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.

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 Webster Groves, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Webster Groves, MO

We at Axes Physical Therapy are dedicated to assisting you in overcoming the discomfort and challenges caused by 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 Webster Groves, MO today to schedule your evaluation and start your journey to recovery!