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

Herniated Disc Treatment Womack, MO. A herniated disc can throw off your day-to-day activities, but improvement is possible with the proper care. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in research-supported treatments tailored to your individual requirements, whether you’re dealing with slight pain or serious discomfort. Our dedicated physical therapy team in Womack, MO specializes in supporting your healing non-surgically, using customized plans intended to reduce pain, improve movement, and get you back to the things you enjoy.

Start managing your healing process and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Womack, MO. Make an appointment online, give a call to 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) bulges out from its outer layer, placing strain on 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 lead to weakness or numbness in the limbs, making daily tasks like walking, lifting, or even resting or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

Pain: Intense, spreading pain in the lower back (lumbar herniation) or cervical area (cervical herniation), often affecting 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: 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: Sudden trauma, such as playing sports or improper heavy lifting, can lead to a herniated disc.
Repetitive movements: Engaging in activities or jobs that require frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting makes you more susceptible to disc injuries.
Poor posture: Prolonged poor posture, whether sitting or standing, can lead to extra stress on the spine.

Early intervention is critical. At Axes Physical Therapy in Womack, MO, we carry out an in-depth assessment of your alignment, movement, reflexes, and spine health to identify the severity and exact location of the herniated disc. This enables us to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, helping you get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

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

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, we offer non-surgical approaches to treating herniated discs in Womack, MO. Our goal is to reduce discomfort, increase flexibility, and improve your quality of life, all while avoiding the need for surgical interventions.

The Evaluation Process

At your first consultation, the physical therapy team in Womack, 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: 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: 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: 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: Penetrating the skin and underlying tissue with thin, filiform needles to stimulate healing and relieve muscle tension, inflammation, and pain.

Targeted Exercises:

Pelvic tilt: This exercise builds core strength, which helps reduce spinal pressure and ease discomfort.
McKenzie extension: Gently stretches the spine to alleviate pressure on the herniated disc.
Cat-cow stretch: Aids in increasing spinal flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in the back.
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: This exercise improves core balance and stability while strengthening the muscles surrounding 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. 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. 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 Womack, 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 Womack, MO patients both before and after surgery with focused therapy 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: We aim to strengthen and increase your mobility to ensure a quicker recovery after surgery.
Reducing pain and inflammation: Using therapies that can help ease discomfort in the days leading up to surgery.

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: Primarily targeting the core muscles and other muscles that support your spine.
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 Womack, MO, free from pain or limitations.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy, our approach to treating herniated discs goes beyond simple pain relief. Our Womack, 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: Utilizing the most up-to-date therapy methods, we incorporate everything from manual therapy to specialized exercises 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 Womack, MO include:

Call Axes For Your Herniated Disc Treatment in Womack, MO

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