Can Spinal Decompression Help Sciatica? – Kearny Mesa, CA

When Sciatica Keeps Coming Back

Sciatica can make even basic activities difficult. Sitting at work, driving across San Diego, exercising, sleeping, or simply walking through a store can become painful.

Some people feel a sharp pain running from the lower back into the buttock and leg. Others describe burning, tingling, numbness, or an electric sensation reaching into the calf or foot.

Many patients try medication, stretching, physical therapy, injections, or traditional chiropractic care. These treatments may help temporarily, but the symptoms often return because the source of the nerve irritation has not been properly identified.

This leads to an important question:

Can spinal decompression help sciatica?

It may help when sciatica is being caused by a bulging, herniated, or compressed lumbar disc. However, not every case of leg pain comes from the same problem, and not every patient is a candidate.

A Firefighter’s Experience With Sciatica

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“Dr. Boelk has been a lifesaver.

I suffered from constant low back pain and sciatica for more than eight months. Pain medications didn't help, and I was headed toward multiple injections in hopes of finding relief.

After beginning treatment with Dr. Boelk, everything changed.

Today, my pain is completely gone.

As a firefighter who depends on his body every day to help others, being pain-free has made a tremendous difference in both my career and quality of life.

The results I experienced were absolutely worth it, and I highly recommend looking into what Dr. Boelk and his team can do for you.”

— Joshua T., San Diego, CA

No treatment produces the same outcome for every patient. Joshua’s experience demonstrates why it is important to identify what is causing the sciatica and determine whether the condition is appropriate for treatment.

Find Out What Is Causing Your Sciatica

If sciatica is interfering with your work, sleep, exercise, or ability to sit and walk comfortably, do not continue guessing about the cause.

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule a complimentary no-charge consultation with Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC.

Bring your MRI or other recent imaging if available. Dr. Boelk will review your situation and tell you honestly whether you appear to be a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression.

Call 619-298-0800 or text 619-884-8298 to schedule.

The office is located in Kearny Mesa, and Spanish-speaking assistance is available. Calls are answered 24 hours a day.

What Is Actually Causing the Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a diagnosis by itself. It is a group of symptoms caused by irritation or compression affecting the sciatic nerve.

Possible causes include:

• A lumbar disc bulge

• A herniated or extruded disc

• Degenerative disc changes

• Loss of disc height

• Inflammation around a spinal nerve

• Foraminal narrowing

• Spinal instability

• A condition outside the spine that imitates sciatic nerve pain

This is why treatment should not be chosen based only on where it hurts.

One person may have leg pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation, while another may have similar symptoms coming from the hip, muscles, peripheral nerves, or another condition. Treating both patients the same way would not make sense.

How Disc Problems Create Sciatica

The lumbar discs sit between the bones of the lower spine. They act as cushions and help the spine move and absorb force.

When a disc becomes damaged, compressed, or dehydrated, it may begin to bulge or herniate toward a nearby nerve. That pressure and inflammation can produce pain that travels into the buttock and leg.

The location of the symptoms can sometimes provide clues about which nerve is involved. Some patients feel symptoms mainly in the thigh, while others experience pain or numbness extending into the calf, foot, or toes.

A proper examination helps determine whether the symptoms and imaging findings match.

How Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression May Help

Non-surgical spinal decompression is designed to gently reduce pressure at a targeted spinal level.

The DRX9000 uses controlled pulling and releasing cycles that are adjusted to the patient’s condition, body type, symptoms, and response. The goal is not to forcefully stretch the entire spine. The treatment is intended to create a better environment around the damaged disc and irritated nerve.

For an appropriate patient, spinal decompression may help:

• Reduce pressure affecting the spinal nerve

• Decrease pain traveling into the leg

• Improve disc hydration and nutrient exchange

• Reduce protective muscle tension

• Improve tolerance for sitting, standing, and walking

• Help the patient advance into stabilization and rehabilitation exercises

The equipment is important, but the doctor’s experience, patient selection, treatment settings, and protocols are equally important.

Why Dr. Boelk Reviews More Than the MRI Report

An MRI can provide valuable information, but the written report does not always tell the entire story.

Dr. Boelk personally reviews the available images and compares them with:

• The location of the patient’s symptoms

• Neurological and orthopedic examination findings

• Muscle strength and reflex changes

• Previous treatment and surgical history

• Weight-bearing spinal alignment

• Signs of possible instability

• Movements or positions that aggravate the pain

When necessary, weight-bearing and flexion-extension X-rays may be taken to evaluate how the spine behaves while the patient is standing and moving.

This helps Dr. Boelk determine whether the disc findings are likely related to the sciatica and whether decompression can be performed safely.

Not Every Patient Is Accepted for Treatment

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“I found this terrific practice on social media. I followed up and did my own research, so I decided to pay them a visit. The place is clean, well organized and run by a very efficient receptionist.

I met with the doctor and after an honest and forthright conversation, we both determined that surgery was my only option to correct my back issues. I will return as a customer when the time is right.”

— Jeff J., Tucson, AZ

Dr. Boelk did not place Jeff into a treatment program that was unlikely to correct his condition. After reviewing the situation, they agreed that surgery was the appropriate direction.

That is the purpose of the consultation: to determine whether decompression makes sense before a patient commits time and money to treatment.

Some patients may not qualify because of:

• Spinal instability

• Extensive surgical hardware at the treatment level

• A recent or unhealed fracture

• Certain advanced spinal conditions

• Pregnancy when lumbar decompression is being considered

• Symptoms requiring urgent medical or surgical evaluation

If Dr. Boelk does not believe he can help, he will say so.

Be Careful With Aggressive Sciatica Stretching

People with sciatica are often told to stretch the hamstrings. However, pain and tightness in the back of the leg may involve an irritated nerve rather than a short muscle.

Aggressively stretching the leg can increase tension on that nerve and make symptoms worse.

Until the cause is understood:

• Avoid movements that send pain farther down the leg

• Change positions regularly

• Limit prolonged sitting when it aggravates symptoms

• Take short walks if walking is comfortable

• Avoid repeated bending, twisting, or heavy lifting

• Use a sleeping position that reduces pressure on the lower back

• Stop exercises that increase numbness, tingling, or weakness

The right exercise program should be based on the diagnosis and the patient’s current stage of recovery.

When Sciatica May Be an Emergency

Seek immediate medical attention if sciatica is accompanied by:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Numbness in the groin or saddle region

• Rapidly worsening leg weakness

• Severe symptoms following significant trauma

• Fever or unexplained illness with severe back pain

These are not symptoms to monitor at home or treat as routine sciatica.

Why Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC

Patients from Kearny Mesa and throughout San Diego seek out Dr. Boelk because his practice focuses on spinal decompression, disc injuries, sciatica, and difficult neck and back conditions.

His qualifications and experience include:

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist

• More than 21 years of clinical experience

• Over 100,000 spinal decompression treatments performed

• Founder of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

• Trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques

• Founding Member of the American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member of the International Disc Education Association

• California-licensed doctor with X-ray radiography certification

• Seven DRX9000 spinal decompression systems

• Extensive personal experience rehabilitating serious spinal and disc injuries

Dr. Boelk has spent thousands of hours rehabilitating his own neck and back injuries, as well as helping patients who want to remain active and avoid unnecessary surgery.

Patients travel to his Kearny Mesa office from across California, other states, Mexico, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Take the Next Step

Sciatica can gradually take away your ability to exercise, sleep, work, travel, and enjoy normal activities. Waiting for it to disappear without understanding the cause can allow the problem to become more limiting.

A consultation does not commit you to treatment. It gives you an opportunity to have your condition reviewed by a doctor who has focused on spinal decompression and disc injuries for more than two decades.

Call Today to Find Out if You Are a Candidate

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123

Call: 619-298-0800
Text: 619-884-8298
Visit: www.SanDiegoBackCare.com

Spanish-speaking assistance is available. Calls are answered 24 hours a day.

Call 619-298-0800 today to schedule your complimentary no-charge consultation with Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC. Find out what is causing your sciatica and whether non-surgical spinal decompression is an appropriate option.