Herniated Disc Treatment Wickes, MO | Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Herniated Disc Treatment Wickes, MO. A herniated disc can disrupt your day-to-day activities, but recovery is within reach with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatments customized for your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or serious discomfort. Our committed physical therapy team in Wickes, MO specializes in supporting your healing through conservative care, using customized plans intended to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the life you love.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Wickes, 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) bulges out from its outer layer, causing pressure on nearby nerves. This condition can lead to a variety of symptoms, including sharp pain in the back or neck pain, as well as pain extending to the arms or legs depending on the affected area of the spine. In advanced cases, it can even cause weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Intense, shooting pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often extending 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: 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: 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: Engaging in activities or jobs that require frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting makes you more susceptible to disc injuries.
Poor posture: Sitting or standing for long periods in poor postures puts additional strain on the spine.

It’s crucial to intervene early. At Axes Physical Therapy in Wickes, MO, we conduct a thorough assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spinal health to assess the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This enables us to develop a treatment plan personalized to your unique condition, getting you started on your healing journey as soon as possible.

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

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Wickes, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer conservative approaches to treating herniated discs in Wickes, MO. Our aim is to reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and boost your well-being, all while avoiding the need for invasive procedures.

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Wickes, MO, our physical therapists will begin your first session with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the severity of your disc herniation and its effect on your mobility. This includes assessing various factors like posture, range of motion, and nerve function.

Posture analysis: Assessing your posture to find imbalances that could be causing or worsening your herniated disc.
Spine mobility tests: Evaluating how well your spine moves to determine any restrictions in mobility.
Nerve function testing: Testing nerve function to detect possible compression or damage leading to symptoms like 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: Gentle adjustments to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves.
- 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: Strengthens core muscles, reducing pressure on the spine and alleviating pain.
McKenzie extension: This exercise reduces disc pressure by carefully extending the spine.
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: This exercise strengthens the lower back and legs, helping to improve posture and provide better support for the spine.
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: Enhances core stability and balance, strengthening muscles around 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. 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.

Thanks to our all-encompassing approach, many patients enjoy improvements in pain, movement, and their overall quality of life, avoiding surgery altogether. Each of our custom treatment plans is designed to help you recover at a rate that suits you, ensuring your rehabilitation is both comfortable and effective.

Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehab for Herniated Discs in Wickes, MO

Although most herniated disc cases can be addressed without surgery, some severe cases or persistent symptoms may require surgical intervention. At Axes, we assist Wickes, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation designed to optimize outcomes.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Engaging in physical therapy before surgery helps optimize recovery after the procedure. 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: Using therapies that can help ease discomfort in the days leading up to surgery.

Post-Surgery Therapy:

After surgery, physical therapy becomes an important part of restoring function and getting you back to full strength. We design post-surgical rehab plans with a focus on:

Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
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 Wickes, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

Our method for treating herniated discs at Axes Physical Therapy extends beyond just relieving pain. Our Wickes, 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: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, focusing on both their physical and emotional well-being.
Cutting-Edge Techniques: We use the latest in therapy techniques, from manual manipulation to advanced exercise regimens designed 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 Wickes, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Wickes, 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 slow you down—reach out to Axes Physical Therapy in Wickes, MO now to schedule your assessment and begin your recovery journey!