Spine Specialist Near Old Monroe, MO | Back Pain Relief

Spine Specialist Near Me in Old Monroe, MO

Spine specialist near me in Old Monroe, MO. Lower back issues can make basic tasks like standing up painful, and keep us from optimal movement health. For physically active people, back problems can keep you from being at the top of their game. For workers, it can prevent you from providing for your Old Monroe, MO family. For others, it can keep us from taking the dog for a walk or other physical activities. Physical therapists with a spine specialty can help return to what you love doing most. Through safe and proven exercises and treatment plans, Axes Physical Therapy can help you achieve the lifestyle you desire. If you’re ready to at long last move on from a crippling back condition, request an evaluation with an Axes Old Monroe, MO spine specialist, or reach out to the Axes location most convenient for you.

Missouri law requires a prescription for physical therapy. If you’re dealing with a recent injury or living with chronic pain, consult with your physician about if physical therapy with a spine specialist in Old Monroe, MO is what you need. You can also come see us for one of Axes’ complimentary injury screenings.

The Human Spine

The spine is our central support structure, and plays a fundamental role in most movements and how the body communicates with itself. It extends from the base of your skull to your pelvis. There are several different parts of your spine:

Vertebrae

The spine consists of 33 vertebrae, which are small bones that stack on top of each other to form the spinal canal. The spinal cord and nerves run through holes in the middle of each vertebra. The vertebrae are grouped into five regions. There are:

7 vertebrae in the cervical region (your neck)
12 vertebrae in the thoracic region (your middle back)
5 vertebrae in the lumbar region (your lower back)
5 vertebrae in the sacrum region (the triangle shaped bone that connects to the hips)
4 vertebrae in the coccyx region (your tailbone)

The 24 vertebrae in the first 3 regions are the only ones that can move; the others are immobile.

Facet Joints

Facet joints connect the vertebrae. They allow your back and neck to extend, bend, twist, and rotate. They are lined with cartilage and lubricated with synovial fluid, allowing the bones to move safely.

Intervertebral Discs

Discs are the flat, round cushions between the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers. Every two vertebrae have one disc between them. Discs have a softer center known as the nucleus pulposus, which gives them flexibility and allows them to absorb impact, and an outer ring of tough fibers called the annulus fibrosus that surrounds and protects the nucleus pulposus.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure, from your brain to your pelvis, where the nerves extend into the lower part of your body. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae and other tissue. The neural foramen are openings in the vertebrae that allow the nerves to go into other parts of the body. The spinal cord carries messages between our brain and other parts of our body.

Soft Tissue

The spine also has various types of soft tissue. Ligaments attach bones together and holds them in the correct structure. Tendons attach muscles to the vertebrae, and the muscles are what powers the spine’s movement.

Achieving the lifestyle we want depends on all of these parts working together and functioning properly. A variety of conditions can interfere with the spine and keep you from the activities you love most. If you’re living with back pain or spine issues, a spine specialist in Old Monroe, MO like Axes’ physical therapists can provide safe and effective relief.

Spine Specialist Near Me Old Monroe, MO | Physical Therapy | Spine Treatments Near Old Monroe

What Injuries Can a Spine Specialist in Old Monroe, MO Treat Me For?

The American College of Physicians developed guidelines that include a variety of physical therapy treatments for people living with lower back pain and neck pain. Whether you’re dealing with pain on a everyday basis or recently sustained a work injury, Axes’ Old Monroe, MO spine specialists can help get you feeling great again. Some of the common conditions we treat in Old Monroe, MO are:

Disc Injuries — Herniated discs and bulging discs can be caused by either an injury or general degradation from aging. They put pressure on a nerve which can cause severe pain along your neck and back and limit strength. Degenerative disc disease occurs as a natural result of aging, and can have symptoms similar to herniated discs.
Sciatica — Sciatica refers to a variety of conditions which irritate the sciatic nerve, which is our bodies’ longest nerves and originates in the lower spine. Symptoms include immense pain, weakness, and numbness from your buttocks all the way down to your foot.
Spinal Stenosis — Stenosis occurs when the spinal cavity becomes too narrow and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It can cause pain, issues with walking or other movements, and loss of sensation in your hands or feet.
Spinal Arthritis — Arthritis is swelling or tenderness in one or more joints. It occurs as the cushioning between the joints degrades over time or from repeated trauma. Obesity, autoimmune disorders, and other conditions can also lead to arthritis. There are over 100 types of arthritis, most of which can affect the spine.
Axial Back Pain — Also called nonspecific back pain, this refers to pain that doesn’t have a clear, diagnosable cause. Nonspecific back pain can be caused by obesity or poor posture.

Physical therapy can also help with soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains.

Whatever condition is currently ailing you, our Old Monroe, MO spine specialists will work in concert with you and your physician to come up with an evidence-backed treatment plan to get you back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. While some conditions, like degenerative disc disease, can’t be “cured,” physical therapy can be part of a holistic wellness routine that reduces pain and other symptoms and achieves optimal mobility.

If you need surgery on your spine, we can work with you in your pre- and post-surgical rehab in Old Monroe, MO to help you be healthy for surgery and recovery quickly and safely.

Benefits of Working With a Physical Therapy Spine Specialist in Old Monroe, MO

More and more people are turning to physical therapy as a non-surgical option for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. According to a paper published By the American College of Physicians, physical therapy is just as effective as surgery for certain types of back pain, without the same risk of complications. Early intervention by a licensed Old Monroe, MO physical therapist is proven to limit long-term opioid dependence.

A licensed spine specialist will be able to determine what is causing your pain or other issues, and build a treatment plan based on your medical history, how old you are, and your desired activity level. Through numerous different exercises and manual manipulations, physical therapy can reduce pain, help your spine and nervous system function better, enhance range of motion.

Physical Therapy for Spine Problems

Depending on what is causing your back pain or other symptoms, your Old Monroe, MO spine specialist at Axes may implement some of the following practices to help get you back to what you love doing most:

Manual Therapy — Our Old Monroe, MO manual therapists are experts at using subtle pressures and stretches to alleviate symptoms and improve function caused by muscle or joint dysfunction. Manual therapy we may use to treat you include:
- Dry needling
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilization and manipulation
- Trigger point massage
Guided Exercise — Safe exercises are crucial for helping you build up strength, flexibility, and balance. Beyond limiting pain now, guided exercise will allow you to maintain a healthy spine while going to work or doing the activities you love most. Effective exercises for spine conditions include:
- Core stabilization
- Postural retraining
- Flexibility
- Cardio conditioning
- Strength training
- Home exercise
Injury Prevention — It’s beyond frustrating to believe you’re moving on from an injury, only to suffer another injury in the future. We help you understand the musculoskeletal system and how yours is being affected, so you’ll know how to protect your spine while being active. Our injury prevention program includes:
- Patient education
- Lifting education
- Activity modification
- Conditioning

Your treatment plan in Old Monroe, MO will be holistic and focused on getting you to your best possible movement health and keeping you there. However we recommend treating your spine condition or back pain, it will designed based on time-tested techniques.

Other services we offer in Old Monroe, MO include:

Spine Specialist Near Me Old Monroe, MO | Physical and Occupational Therapists Near Old Monroe

Call Axes For Your Spine Specialist Near Me in Old Monroe, MO

Don’t allow a spine condition prevent you from what you love doing most. At Axes, our Old Monroe, MO spine specialists are dedicated to positive patient outcomes. Your pain may not have been your choice, but you can choose to do something about it. For a licensed and knowledgeable Old Monroe, MO spine specialist to treat you, schedule an evaluation with Axes Physical Therapy today or reach out to the location closest to you