Can Spinal Decompression Help Sciatica Nerve Pain? – Scripps Ranch, CA
Why Sitting, Commuting, and Driving Can Make Sciatica So Much Worse
For many people suffering with sciatica, walking or standing can be uncomfortable—but sitting can be even worse.
A drive from Scripps Ranch, sitting through a meeting, dinner at a restaurant, a flight, or even relaxing on the couch can trigger burning, shooting pain from the buttock into the leg.
Some patients find themselves constantly changing positions, leaning away from the painful side, standing every few minutes, or avoiding longer drives altogether because the pressure continues to build.
One reason is that sitting places the lumbar spine in a flexed position and can increase stress on an already injured spinal disc. If a bulging, herniated, or degenerative disc is irritating one of the nerve roots that forms the sciatic nerve, symptoms can travel into the thigh, calf, foot, or toes.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is designed to address disc-related sciatica by unloading the affected area of the lumbar spine through controlled decompression and relaxation cycles.
The goal is to reduce mechanical stress surrounding the injured disc and irritated nerve—without injections or surgery.
But the first and most important step is determining what is actually causing the sciatica and whether that condition can be safely treated with decompression.
His Sciatica Was Gone After a Structured Course of Treatment
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“I have had an outstanding experience with Dr. Boelk and his staff at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.
They follow a very structured treatment protocol and utilize the best spinal decompression equipment available. I’ve been treated elsewhere using lower-quality decompression systems and never experienced meaningful improvement.
Dr. Boelk is attentive, professional, and genuinely cares about every patient. You can see it in the way he interacts with everyone who walks through the door.
After about 12 treatments, my sciatica was gone and I was nearly back to normal. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I would ever heal. What surprised me most was that after my very first treatment, I experienced significant relief and was able to sleep mostly pain-free for the first time in months.
The improvement has allowed me to get back to hiking, traveling, and enjoying life again.
This treatment was one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
Thank you, Dr. Boelk and your entire team.”
— Michael Langsdale, San Diego, CA
Michael experienced early relief and then continued through a structured course of care. His results are his own, and individual responses vary.
His story does, however, illustrate something Dr. Boelk has seen repeatedly during more than two decades treating difficult disc and nerve conditions: when the underlying source of the nerve irritation is correctly identified, significant improvement can occur.
Find Out Whether Your Sciatica Is Disc-Related
If sitting, driving, sleeping, exercising, or walking has become difficult because of sciatica, you can call 619-298-0800 for a no-charge, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC.
You do not need to already have an MRI to schedule.
If you have imaging, Dr. Boelk can review it. If you do not, the process can begin by evaluating your symptoms, health history, previous treatment, neurological findings, movement patterns, and other clinical factors.
When additional imaging is necessary, Dr. Boelk will explain exactly what is needed and why.
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego is located in Kearny Mesa, just a short drive from Scripps Ranch.
Call 619-298-0800 to schedule. Our answering service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hablamos Español.
Why Does Sciatica Travel Down the Leg?
Sciatica is not simply another form of lower-back pain.
The sciatic nerve is formed from several nerve roots originating in the lumbar and sacral spine. When one of those nerve roots becomes irritated or compressed, symptoms can be experienced anywhere along the pathway of that nerve.
Depending on the particular nerve root involved, symptoms can appear in the:
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Buttock
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Back or outside of the thigh
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Calf
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Shin
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Ankle
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Heel
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Top or bottom of the foot
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Toes
Patients may experience:
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Sharp or shooting pain
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Burning pain
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Electrical sensations
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Tingling
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Numbness
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Weakness in the leg or foot
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A heavy or fatigued feeling in the leg
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Pain aggravated by sitting or bending
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Symptoms triggered by coughing or sneezing
The National Library of Medicine describes sciatica as pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that can originate in the lower back and extend into the calf, foot, or toes.
National Library of Medicine: Sciatica
The pattern of symptoms can provide Dr. Boelk with important clues about which nerve may be affected.
But remember:
Sciatica is the symptom. It is not the actual diagnosis.
The key question is why the nerve is irritated.
What Happens to an Injured Disc While You Sit?
Healthy spinal discs help absorb and distribute forces throughout the spine.
When a disc becomes bulging, herniated, compressed, or degenerative, prolonged sitting can become increasingly difficult.
Sitting often causes the pelvis to roll backward and the lumbar spine to flex. Slouching or leaning forward can further increase stress within the lumbar discs.
Long car rides can be especially difficult for patients with sciatica because driving combines prolonged sitting with:
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Limited opportunities to change positions
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Road vibration
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Reaching toward the steering wheel
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Prolonged hip flexion
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Reduced lumbar support
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Repeatedly entering and exiting the vehicle
When an injured lumbar disc is already irritating a nerve root, those forces can intensify leg pain, numbness, tingling, or burning.
That does not mean everyone with pain while sitting has a herniated disc.
Hip problems, sacroiliac joint conditions, muscular irritation, peripheral nerve problems, and other disorders can sometimes create similar symptoms.
That is one reason Dr. Boelk places so much emphasis on an appropriate examination before recommending spinal decompression.
Sciatica Can Involve Both Pressure and Inflammation
Disc-related sciatica is more complicated than simply saying, “a disc is pinching a nerve.”
In some patients, an injured disc creates significant inflammation around a spinal nerve root.
This means someone can experience severe nerve pain even when an MRI does not show dramatic physical compression.
In other cases, direct mechanical pressure on the nerve can affect sensation, reflexes, and muscle strength.
An NIH clinical review explains that sciatica frequently involves nerve-root irritation associated with inflammation, while more significant motor dysfunction can indicate direct compression requiring careful evaluation.
This distinction is important.
Severe pain and progressive neurological weakness are not the same clinical finding.
Pain certainly matters, but rapidly worsening weakness requires prompt medical evaluation.
How the DRX9000 Treats Disc-Related Sciatica
The DRX9000 applies controlled decompression and relaxation cycles to a targeted region of the lumbar spine.
This is not a matter of simply lying on a machine and pulling on the lower back.
Treatment can be individualized according to factors including:
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The suspected disc level
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Where the patient's symptoms travel
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Patient positioning
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Treatment angle
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Starting force
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Body size and structure
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Number of decompression cycles
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Duration of the cycles
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How the patient responds during treatment
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How the patient feels afterward
The objective is to unload the affected spinal segment, reduce mechanical stress, and improve the environment surrounding the injured disc and irritated nerve.
Dr. Cassidy Boelk uses DRX9000 systems exclusively for non-surgical spinal decompression.
His San Diego center has seven DRX9000 systems—four lumbar and three cervical—making it possible to provide highly specialized decompression care throughout the day.
However, the machine itself is only part of the process.
Successful treatment also depends upon:
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Proper patient selection
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Accurate targeting
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Appropriate treatment force
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Treatment frequency
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Clinical monitoring
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Activity modification
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Progressive rehabilitation
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Adjustments to the protocol based upon patient response
This is one of the reasons experience matters considerably when choosing a spinal decompression provider.
What Does the Research Say About Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?
Clinical research supports non-surgical spinal decompression for appropriately selected patients with lumbar disc injuries.
In a randomized clinical trial involving patients with lumbar disc herniations, patients treated with DRX9000 non-surgical spinal decompression experienced significant reductions in pain and significant improvements in functional ability.
Randomized DRX9000 Clinical Trial
A separate study evaluating DRX9000 treatment used CT imaging before and after care.
Researchers found that increased disc height following treatment was associated with decreased disc-related lower-back pain.
Research supports non-surgical spinal decompression as an effective treatment option for appropriately selected patients with disc-related back pain and sciatica.
Results vary between patients, which is why diagnosis, treatment settings, frequency, rehabilitation, and proper patient selection matter.
Dr. Boelk combines the available research with:
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More than 22 years of clinical experience
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More than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments
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Individualized DRX9000 treatment protocols
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Detailed examination procedures
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Careful patient selection
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Progressive rehabilitation
Do You Need an MRI Before Starting?
Not necessarily.
An MRI can be extremely useful, but a patient does not need an MRI simply to call the office or schedule a consultation.
Dr. Boelk can initially evaluate factors including:
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Where the pain begins
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Where the pain travels
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Whether symptoms travel below the knee
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Areas of numbness or tingling
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Muscle strength
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Reflexes
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Walking ability
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Positions that aggravate symptoms
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Positions that reduce symptoms
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Previous treatment
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History of surgery
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History of significant injury
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Weight-bearing spinal alignment
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Signs of spinal instability
When appropriate, weight-bearing and flexion-extension X-rays can provide additional information about spinal alignment and how the spine behaves while standing and moving.
MRI becomes especially valuable when:
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The diagnosis is uncertain
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Neurological deficits are present
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Symptoms are severe or persistent
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Previous surgery has altered the anatomy
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More information is needed before treatment
If you already have an MRI, bring it with you.
If you do not have one, don't let that stop you from calling.
What If Physical Therapy, Medication, Chiropractic, or Injections Haven't Worked?
Many patients who eventually visit Dr. Boelk have already tried multiple approaches.
They may have tried:
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Anti-inflammatory medication
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Prescription pain medication
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Muscle relaxers
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Chiropractic adjustments
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Physical therapy
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Massage
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Acupuncture
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Epidural injections
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Home stretching programs
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Rest
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Avoiding normal activities
These treatments do not all address the spine in the same way.
Medication can help control pain or inflammation, but it does not mechanically unload an injured spinal disc.
Rehabilitation can improve strength, stability, and movement capacity, but aggressive exercise can sometimes be difficult to tolerate when a nerve remains highly irritated.
Injections can reduce inflammation for certain patients, but they do not change the mechanical environment surrounding an injured disc.
If one or several treatments have failed to produce lasting relief, that does not automatically mean surgery is your only remaining option.
It means it may be time to take another look at the condition and determine what has not yet been addressed.
She Could Barely Walk or Sleep Before Treatment
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“My name is Lynn. I am from Alaska, and I just want to say it was totally worth taking a trip to go to The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.
I was having pain radiating down my legs. I couldn’t sleep. I could barely walk.
After treatment, I am back to shoveling snow, teaching school, and taking walks.
I just want to thank Dr. Boelk and the clinic. You guys are wonderful, and you have created such a friendly, kind and truly caring atmosphere.
I highly encourage anybody who might be considering spinal decompression therapy. It really makes a difference.”
— Lynn C., Alaska
Lynn traveled to San Diego because radiating leg pain had substantially affected her ability to sleep and walk.
Her experience does not guarantee what another patient will experience. It does demonstrate how dramatically severe nerve symptoms can affect everyday life—and what regaining function can mean to a patient.
What Happens After the Sciatica Starts Improving?
Pain relief is important.
But relief is not the final objective.
Patients who have struggled with sciatica for months or years frequently begin changing the way they move.
They may:
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Shift their weight away from the painful side
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Avoid bending
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Stop exercising
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Walk differently
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Avoid lifting
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Lose core and hip strength
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Become deconditioned
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Become afraid of movements that previously caused pain
Once nerve symptoms begin improving, rehabilitation can progressively address:
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Core stability
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Hip strength
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Spinal control
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Walking tolerance
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Bending mechanics
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Lifting mechanics
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Sitting endurance
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Standing endurance
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Returning to work
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Returning to exercise
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Returning to sports and recreation
The timing of rehabilitation matters.
Exercise should progress based upon the patient's actual condition and response—not simply because a generic exercise sheet says it is time to advance.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Spinal Decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is used for properly selected patients whose sciatica is related to a lumbar disc condition that can be treated safely.
Favorable findings may include:
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Symptoms consistent with lumbar nerve irritation
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Findings suggesting a bulging or herniated disc
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A sufficiently stable spine
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No rapidly progressing neurological deficit
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No neurological emergency
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A condition appropriate for decompression
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Willingness to follow the recommended treatment and rehabilitation plan
Not everyone with pain down the leg qualifies for treatment.
Proper patient selection is one of the most important parts of successful spinal decompression care.
When Sciatica Requires Immediate Medical Attention
Certain symptoms should not be managed by waiting for a routine appointment.
Seek urgent medical attention for:
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New loss of bowel or bladder control
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Difficulty initiating urination
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Inability to feel when the bladder is full
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Numbness around the groin or genital region
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Numbness around the buttocks or inner thighs
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Rapidly progressing weakness
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Sudden difficulty controlling one or both legs
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Severe neurological symptoms following significant trauma
These findings can indicate cauda equina syndrome or another serious neurological condition.
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons identifies urinary retention, incontinence, saddle numbness, and significant leg weakness among warning signs that require immediate medical evaluation.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons: Cauda Equina Syndrome
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
Jeff specifically sought out Dr. Boelk because he wanted to explore a non-surgical option.
After evaluating his condition, however, Dr. Boelk agreed that surgery was the appropriate direction.
Jeff was not placed into a decompression program simply because he wanted to avoid an operation.
That philosophy is important.
If Dr. Boelk does not believe spinal decompression is safe, appropriate, or likely to benefit your condition, he will tell you.
Why Patients From Scripps Ranch Seek Out Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
Dr. Cassidy Boelk's practice is highly focused on non-surgical spinal decompression and difficult disc-related conditions, including herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, radiating arm pain, chronic neck pain, and lower-back pain.
His background includes:
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Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
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Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
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More than 22 years of clinical experience
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More than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments performed
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Founder of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy
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Trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques
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Founding Member of the American Spinal Decompression Society
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Member of the International Disc Education Association
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California-licensed doctor with X-ray radiography certification
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Seven DRX9000 systems—four lumbar and three cervical
Dr. Boelk has also spent thousands of hours rehabilitating his own significant neck and back injuries as well as helping patients with difficult spinal conditions.
That combination of personal experience, clinical experience, advanced decompression training, and extensive hands-on treatment is one of the reasons patients seek his opinion before deciding whether to move forward with injections or surgery.
Patients travel to his San Diego center from Scripps Ranch and throughout San Diego County, as well as from other areas of California, other states, Mexico, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Stop Planning Your Life Around Sciatica
If every commute, meeting, dinner, workout, golf game, trip, or evening on the couch has to be planned around burning leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, it is time to determine what is irritating the nerve.
You do not need to already have an MRI.
You do not have to commit to treatment just to ask questions.
And being evaluated does not mean you will automatically be accepted for spinal decompression.
The goal of the consultation is to determine whether Dr. Boelk believes your condition can be treated safely and appropriately.
Schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation
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
Website: www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
24/7 Answering Service
Hablamos Español
Call 619-298-0800 for a no-charge, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC. Whether you already have imaging or are just beginning to figure out what is causing your sciatica, Dr. Boelk can evaluate your condition and give you an honest opinion about whether non-surgical spinal decompression is an appropriate treatment option for you.