Can I Avoid Neck Surgery? – La Jolla, CA
Breakthrough Non-Surgical Care for Herniated & Bulging Cervical Discs
If you live in La Jolla, CA and have been told neck surgery might be your only answer, you may be wondering if there is another way. When neck pain becomes constant, when numbness travels down the arm, when you can’t sleep or turn your head without stabbing pain, surgery can feel like the only solution.
For many patients, that’s not the full story.
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, located just minutes from La Jolla, Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC has helped thousands of patients avoid spinal surgery through a specialized, research-backed approach to disc rehabilitation called True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.
When the right case is selected and the right protocol is applied, the results can be life-changing.
Why Your Neck Pain Hasn’t Improved
Most patients from La Jolla arrive after trying several types of care, including:
- Standard chiropractic adjustments
- Physical therapy exercises
- Acupuncture or massage
- Pain medications or muscle relaxers
- Epidural steroid injections
- Home stretching routines
These treatments can help symptoms — but they don’t always address what’s actually causing them:
Disc compression and nerve irritation.
When a cervical disc bulges or herniates, pressure builds inside the disc and pushes toward the nerve root. This can lead to:
✔️ arm pain and shoulder discomfort
✔️ hand tingling or numbness
✔️ grip weakness or dropping objects
✔️ headaches and upper back tightness
✔️ difficulty sleeping or concentrating
If the pressure inside the disc isn’t reduced, symptoms often return — sometimes worse than before.
That’s when surgery is recommended.
But if internal pressure can be lowered without operating on the spine, surgery may not be required.
The Non-Surgical Option Designed for Disc Injuries
True Spinal Decompression — DRX9000 System
This is not traction, inversion, or generic pulling of the spine.
The DRX9000 is an FDA-cleared, computer-guided decompression system — researched at Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and the Mayo Clinic — that creates a targeted negative pressure inside the cervical disc.
This environment encourages:
- herniated material to retract away from the nerve
- improved blood and nutrient flow into the disc
- reduction of inflammation and compression
- improved nerve function and mobility
When nerve pressure decreases, the body has the opportunity to heal instead of defend.
Patients routinely report improvements such as:
✔️ better head movement without pain
✔️ less arm tingling or numbness
✔️ deeper sleep and easier mornings
✔️ fewer headaches and muscle spasms
✔️ increased confidence in daily movement
Results from Patients Who Faced Surgery
Chris Townson – San Diego, CA
02/11/2020
“Dr. Boelk has been there for me. Herniated disc in my lower back herniated disc in my neck and just plain too much sitting at a desk Don’t consider surgical options untill you’ve talked to Dr. Boelk Period end of story!”
Jose Mejia – San Diego, CA
01/25/2022
“The Doc is the best he has brought my back from the most horrible back pain I ever had his expertise with decompression is the best and would refer him to anybody that goes through back and neck issues I am so glad I found him thank you so much Doc”
Erin Turk – California
“Dr. Boelk and his staff are by far the BEST at spinal decompression. I walked into his office unable to sit at all, and within a couple of weeks he helped me sit again and get back to work. His attention to you and the way he makes you feel is unparalleled. He’s had severe back issues himself, so his empathy is real. He’s extremely caring and genuinely wants to help people. Even when other patients were there, he made me feel like I was his only one. I cannot thank him enough or recommend him enough — he’s an angel on earth.”
Kaitelyn Hammond – San Diego, CA
“The care I received at Dr. Boelk’s office was wonderful. I went from having to lie down for hours each day to living normally again. My mobility returned, and I started exercising again. Dr. Boelk’s guidance and the exercises he provides are critical to keeping results long-term. The staff are caring and attentive — this was one of the best decisions I ever made for my back.”
Many La Jolla patients report that this was the first time someone explained why their pain persisted — not just what they had.
How La Jolla Patients Can Support Healing at Home
These steps help reduce irritation while considering care options:
📍 Neutral Neck Position for Sleep
Small towel roll under the neck, not under the head.
📍 Screen Height Audit
Raise laptops and phones. Looking down loads the cervical spine.
📍 Chin Tucks (gentle activation)
5–8 reps, 2–3 times per day.
🚫 Avoid (for now)
- Overhead lifting
- Deep neck stretching
- Stomach sleeping
- “Cracking” or twisting the neck yourself
These strategies support progress — they don’t replace treatment.
Why La Jolla Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
This office is not a general chiropractic or physical therapy clinic.
It is structured specifically for disc-related conditions and spinal decompression, allowing for a level of accuracy and specialization other offices cannot typically provide.
Spinal decompression is paired with:
- active rehabilitation
- spinal biomechanics education
- postural and movement retraining
- stability and strength integration
This helps ensure improvements have a better chance of holding long-term, instead of temporary relief that disappears once treatment stops.
Because of this model, patients travel from across San Diego County, out of state, and internationally for evaluation and care.
Who May Qualify for Cervical Decompression
Not every case can be accepted — and that’s intentional.
A no-charge consultation includes:
• Detailed clinical examination
• Orthopedic + neurological testing
• Review of MRI/X-rays if available
• Discussion of previous treatments and responses
• Determination of candidacy and safety
If decompression isn’t appropriate, patients are told honestly and guided to the best next step.
About Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
• Board-Certified Doctor of Chiropractic
• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
• California X-Ray Radiology Licensed Doctor
• Member, International Disc Education Association
• Founder — Spinal Decompression Training Academy
• Over 100,000 Spinal Decompression Treatments Performed
• 7 DRX9000 Systems in one clinic (largest known in California)
• Nearly 21 Years Specializing Exclusively in Decompression Care
• Rated #1 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Office in San Diego
Next Steps for Patients in La Jolla
If you’re searching for a way to avoid surgery — or want a second opinion before committing — here’s how to begin:
📞 Call (619) 298-0800
📱 Text (619) 884-8298 (after hours welcome)
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
1️⃣ Schedule a no-charge consultation
2️⃣ Bring MRI or X-rays if available
3️⃣ Meet directly with Dr. Boelk
4️⃣ Review your candidacy and treatment options
Availability Notice
Because patients travel from out of state and abroad, evaluations are scheduled first-come, first-served.
Securing your consultation early supports a smoother start to care if accepted.
📍 The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 Office: (619) 298-0800
📱 Text Line: (619) 884-8298
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
Referral Policy
Whether referred by a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, attorney, or family member —
all patients are evaluated in order of scheduling to ensure proper time for each case.
If You’re Asking “Can I Avoid Neck Surgery?”
The only honest answer starts with an evaluation by someone who specializes in disc conditions.
If your condition can be corrected non-surgically — you deserve to know.
If surgery is the right step — you deserve that clarity without pressure.
Either way, you move forward informed.
For many patients, this consultation is the turning point