If you’ve ever felt sharp, shooting pain in your back or leg, you may have experienced a spinal disc herniation. Inside your spine, the discs act like soft cushions between your vertebrae. When the soft center of a disc pushes out through a tear in the tougher outer layer, it’s called a herniation. This can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing significant pain, numbness or weakness.
It’s a surprisingly common issue that affects thousands of people every year and can really impact your life. It can make even simple movements like bending, sitting or lifting feel painful and overwhelming. It can happen in people who spend long hours sitting or doing repetitive movements. While the pain can be intense, many people can find relief and recovery through physical therapy. With the right approach, you may be able to heal, strengthen and return to the activities you enjoy without surgery.
5 key steps to recovery with physical therapy
Physical therapy isn’t just about exercises; it’s about understanding your body and guiding it back to health. Here are the core steps your therapist may use to help you recover from a disc herniation:
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Pain control and posture education
The first step is to gently manage your pain. Your physical therapist may use techniques like electrical stimulation to calm irritated nerves or teach you proper ways to sit, stand and sleep. Learning good posture is crucial to take pressure off the injured disc.
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Hands-on techniques
Your physical therapist may use their hands for gentle joint mobilization or soft tissue mobilization. These techniques can help improve how your spine and surrounding muscles move, which can reduce nerve irritation and stiffness.
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Targeted therapeutic exercises
Once the pain is under better control, you’ll start specific exercises. Building strong muscles around your abdomen and back helps provide a natural corset of support for your spine, taking stress off the injured disc. Gentle stretching can help relieve muscle tightness that may be pulling on your spine.
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Nerve gliding exercises
These are special movements designed to help nerves glide smoothly through their pathways without getting caught or irritated. If your herniation is causing sciatica, these exercises can be especially helpful.
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Functional movement training
Finally, your physical therapist will guide you through activities that mimic everyday life, like proper lifting, squatting and bending. This helps you safely return to work, hobbies and family activities with confidence.
Choose REPAIR SI for your spinal herniation recovery journey
Dealing with a disc herniation is tough, but you don’t have to go through it alone. For many people, physical therapy can offer a clear, effective path to recovery without needing surgery. At REPAIR SI, our dedicated team of professionals focuses on providing empathetic, person-first care. We’ll give you the tools and support you need to heal and restore your quality of life.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.