Herniated Disc Treatment Woodson Terrace, MO. A herniated disc can keep you from living the active life you want, but improvement is within reach with the right approach. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are experts in scientifically-backed treatments customized for your individual requirements, whether you’re suffering from slight pain or intense pain. Our expert physical therapy team in Woodson Terrace, MO focuses on supporting your healing through conservative care, using customized plans designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the activities you love.

Take control of your recovery and start feeling better today with Axes Physical Therapy in Woodson Terrace, MO. Request 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, gel-like center of a disc (the Nucleus Pulposus) pushes through 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 radiating into 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, rendering basic actions like walking, lifting, or even lying or sitting down hard to perform.

Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Pain: Sharp, spreading pain in the lower back (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: 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 Woodson Terrace, MO, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of your posture, mobility, reflexes, and spinal health to identify the severity and precise location of the herniated disc. This allows us to develop a treatment plan customized for your unique condition, putting you on the road to recovery quickly and effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in Woodson Terrace, MO

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

The Evaluation Process

At Axes Physical Therapy in Woodson Terrace, 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: Assessing the range of motion in your spine and identifying areas where movement is restricted.
• Nerve function testing: Assessing for nerve compression or damage that might result in symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the limbs.

Key Treatment Techniques:

• Manual Therapy: Our licensed therapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate soft tissues and joints, reducing pain and muscle tension while improving spine mobility. This can involve:
  • Spinal mobilization: Subtle adjustments aimed at correcting spinal misalignment and alleviating nerve compression.
  • Myofascial release: A therapy used to release tightness in the fascia, leading to reduced pain and enhanced relaxation.
  • 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: Helps relieve pressure on the herniated disc by gently extending the spine.
• Cat-cow stretch: Enhances spine mobility while easing tension in the muscles of the back.
• Lumbar stabilization: Builds spinal support muscles, improving stability and minimizing disc pressure.
• Hamstring stretches: Increases flexibility in the legs, which reduces strain on the lower back.
• Wall sits: Helps to increase strength in the lower back and legs, aiding in posture improvement and spinal stability.
• Bridges: Builds strength in the glutes and lower back, contributing to better spinal support and pain relief.
• 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 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.

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 Woodson Terrace, MO

In some cases, surgery may be needed for herniated discs, particularly when conservative treatments don’t provide relief. At Axes, we help Woodson Terrace, MO patients both before and after surgery with targeted rehabilitation to help you achieve the best possible recovery.

Pre-Surgery Therapy:

Preparing for surgery through physical therapy can enhance your recovery afterward. Our goals before surgery include:

• 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. Our recovery plans after surgery concentrate on the following:

• Rebuilding strength: Especially in the core muscles and those supporting the spine.
• Restoring mobility: Aiming to restore natural movement patterns with as little pain as possible.
• 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 Woodson Terrace, MO, pain-free and without restrictions.

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

At Axes, we believe in addressing more than just the pain when treating herniated discs. Our Woodson Terrace, 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: We bring years of expertise to treating numerous spine-related concerns.
• 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 Woodson Terrace, MO include:

• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vertigo Treatment
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment

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