Have you recently learned that your back or neck pain is related to your spinal discs? You aren’t alone – disc-related conditions are a common source of spinal pain and limited mobility. Fortunately, the team at Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy offers effective solutions to address these problems and restore your quality of life.
Spinal discs are the cushion-like pads tucked between your spinal vertebrae. They act as shock absorbers, helping you bend, twist, and lift. When these discs are damaged or deteriorate, they can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.
Physical therapy is an effective treatment for many common disc-related conditions, but one treatment technique we really emphasize is manual therapy. The term refers to a wide range of hands-on techniques that can relieve pain, improve mobility, and promote healing.
When our PTs directly target the affected areas, manual therapy helps reduce pressure on the nerves and tissues around the spinal discs, providing immediate relief and long-term benefits.
Today, we want to explore some of the common disc-related conditions we treat at our Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Redondo Beach, CA, and Torrance, CA clinic–and the ways manual therapy can help you find relief.
Four Painful Disc-Related Conditions
Herniated Disc
- A herniated disc occurs when the disc ruptures or bulges outward and puts pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, legs, or arms. Herniated discs are one of the most common disc-related conditions.
Degenerative Disc Disease
- As you age, your spinal discs naturally start to dry out and lose flexibility, making them more prone to injury (and herniated discs). When this degeneration causes persistent pain and immobility, however, it’s referred to as degenerative disc disease (DDD).
Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal stenosis involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves. This condition often results from degenerative changes, including DDD. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and weakness, typically in the lower back and legs.
The Role of Manual Therapy in Addressing Disc-Related Conditions
Manual therapy is a powerful tool in treating disc-related conditions, offering significant relief and improving function. Our physical therapists use their hands, rather than tools or equipment, to target the affected areas, easing pain and enhancing mobility.
Techniques We Use to Address Disc-Related Issues
Spinal Mobilization
- We’ll carefully guide your spine through its current range of motion, helping restore mobility. This technique can help alleviate pressure on the nerves caused by herniated or bulging discs.
Spinal Manipulation
- Another effective technique is spinal manipulation, which involves quick, controlled thrusts to specific spinal joints (as opposed to the slow, careful movements of a spinal mobilization). This technique can improve spinal alignment, relieve nerve compression, and promote overall spinal health.
Soft Tissue Manipulation
- This massage-like technique helps relax tight muscles and improve blood flow, which reduces pain and inflammation and facilitates the body’s natural healing processes.
We choose specific manual therapy techniques based on what works best for each individual, taking into consideration your specific symptoms, underlying condition, and recovery goals. We also incorporate manual therapy into a comprehensive treatment program that includes targeted core exercises, postural corrections, and other physical therapy techniques to improve spinal health.
Find Back Pain Relief Today!
At Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy, we want to help you resolve and manage your back pain with effective, noninvasive methods that get results. Manual therapy is the first step in that process, helping relieve acute pain, improve mobility, and prepare your body for exercise.
Schedule an appointment for an initial assessment to get started.
