Can Spinal Decompression Help a Bulging Disc? – San Diego, CA

If You Have a Bulging Disc, Can Spinal Decompression Actually Help?

This is one of the questions we hear almost every day.

A patient has an MRI showing a bulging or herniated disc. Their back hurts. Maybe they're also dealing with sciatica, numbness or tingling down the leg. They've tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, medications or injections, and now they're searching for another option.

Naturally, they want to know whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression can help.

For the right patient, it may be an option.

But after more than 20 years working with disc-related conditions, Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC will tell you that seeing a disc bulge on an MRI isn't enough to answer that question.

The real question is whether the disc is actually contributing to your symptoms and whether you're a good candidate for treatment.

A San Diego Patient With a Bulging Disc and Severe Sciatica

Anthony K. had already undergone surgery for a bulging disc five years earlier. When the disc problem returned, he said it was affecting his sciatic nerve and causing severe leg pain.

He had tried other options before finding our San Diego office.

Anthony wrote:

“After just a few sessions I noticed a difference. Now after being there for the past few months I'm able to go about my normal life again.”

He also described Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC as a doctor who “genuinely cares and knows how to help people in my situation.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Anthony K., San Diego, CA

Anthony's case is a good example of why we don't look at a disc problem in isolation. His symptoms, previous surgery, imaging and current condition all had to be considered before determining whether treatment made sense.

Have an MRI? Bring It With You.

If you've been diagnosed with a bulging or herniated disc and aren't sure what to do next, you can schedule a No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Bring your MRI if you have one.

We'll talk about what you're experiencing, look at what you've already tried, review your available imaging and determine whether you may be a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

There is no obligation to start treatment.

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule your No-Charge Consultation. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hablamos Español.

What Is a Bulging Disc?

The discs between the vertebrae provide cushioning and allow the spine to move.

When part of a disc extends beyond its normal boundary, it may be described as a disc bulge. You may also see terms such as disc protrusion, herniation or extrusion on an MRI report.

What surprises many patients is that having a disc bulge doesn't necessarily mean you'll have pain.

Some people have disc abnormalities on MRI and very few symptoms. Other people have a disc problem in just the wrong location and are miserable.

That's why Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC doesn't simply look at an MRI, point to a bulging disc and assume that's the problem.

The imaging needs to make sense with the patient's symptoms.

What Does a Bulging Disc Feel Like?

That depends largely on where the disc is located and whether a nearby nerve is involved.

A lumbar disc problem can cause back pain, but it may also cause symptoms well beyond the lower back.

Patients may experience:

• Low-back pain

• Buttock pain

• Sciatica

• Pain traveling down one leg

• Numbness or tingling

• Burning or electrical sensations

• Symptoms extending into the foot or toes

• Leg weakness

• Difficulty sitting

• Difficulty standing or walking for longer periods

A bulging cervical disc can produce a different pattern, including neck pain, shoulder-blade pain and symptoms traveling into an arm or hand.

When someone comes into our office, we're trying to figure out whether those symptoms correspond with what we're seeing on the imaging.

How Could Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Help?

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression uses controlled decompressive forces directed at specific areas of the spine.

The goal isn't to “pop” a disc back into place.

That's not how Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC explains the treatment to patients.

Instead, we're looking at whether reducing mechanical stress around an injured disc and the surrounding structures may be appropriate for that particular patient.

Treatment isn't based solely on the fact that an MRI says “disc bulge.”

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC considers the location of the disc problem, the patient's symptoms, neurological findings, spinal stability, previous treatment and other factors before recommending care.

“I've Already Tried Traction.”

We hear that frequently.

Traditional traction and the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression protocols used in our office are not necessarily the same thing.

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego exclusively uses DRX9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression systems.

Our office has seven DRX9000 systems—four lumbar and three cervical.

But the machine isn't the whole treatment.

Experience matters.

Patient selection matters.

The treatment protocol matters.

And knowing when not to treat someone matters.

That's one reason Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC now trains other doctors in Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression protocols and techniques through the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy.

Another Disc Patient Who Was Being Evaluated for Surgery

Amanda came to our San Diego office after months of severe pain.

She described going back and forth between doctors and urgent care, taking medication just to get through the day and reaching the point where getting out of bed, standing and walking were extremely painful.

An MRI eventually showed an extruded disc pressing on her L5 nerve. She had appointments scheduled for pain management and a surgical evaluation.

She found Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression before those appointments.

Amanda later reported that she was walking regularly, standing upright again, exercising and lifting weights. She had progressed from needing a cane because of her pain to doing two 45-minute workouts per day as part of the 75 Hard program.

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— Amanda, San Diego, CA

Her experience is one of the reasons we believe it's worth investigating your options when appropriate rather than assuming an abnormal MRI automatically determines your next step.

Why Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and difficult disc-related conditions have been a major focus of Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC's practice for more than two decades.

Credentials & Experience

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist

• Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

• Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member, International Disc Education Association

• California X-Ray Radiography Licensed Doctor

• 20+ Years of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Experience

• 100,000+ Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatments Performed & Supervised

• Instructor of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Protocols & Techniques to Other Doctors

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC also knows what it's like to deal with significant spinal injuries personally.

He has spent thousands of hours over the years working on the rehabilitation of his own neck and lower back while continuing to surf, golf, play hockey and strength train.

Patients now seek out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC from throughout San Diego County, other states and even other countries for his experience with difficult spinal and disc-related conditions.

A Bulging Disc Does Not Automatically Make You a Candidate

This is important.

We don't accept every patient who comes into the office for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

Sometimes the safest and most appropriate recommendation is not to treat the patient at all.

One patient, Toni W., came to Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC after having previous back surgery with significant hardware in her spine.

After meeting with her and reviewing her situation, Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC determined that she wasn't an appropriate candidate for his decompression program.

Toni still left the office a five-star review.

She wrote:

“Very nice Dr. and Honest!... Just not in my personal case, as I have a lot of hardware in my back. But I'm glad I took the time to meet with him. It was very informative all around.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Toni W., Lake Elsinore, CA

That's an important part of how we practice.

The consultation isn't about finding a reason to put everyone on a decompression table.

It's about determining whether Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC believes the treatment is appropriate for you.

If it isn't, he'll tell you.

What If You've Already Tried Physical Therapy, Chiropractic Care or Injections?

That's actually pretty common among our patients.

Many people don't find us immediately after their back starts hurting. They come in after they've already spent months—or sometimes years—trying different things.

One treatment may have helped temporarily. Another may not have helped at all.

That doesn't mean those treatments were necessarily wrong.

It also doesn't mean Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is automatically the answer.

It means we need to look at your particular case.

Where is the disc problem?

Do your symptoms match the imaging?

Is a nerve involved?

Is there weakness?

Is the spine stable?

What have you already tried?

And is there anything about your condition that makes decompression inappropriate?

Those are much more useful questions than simply asking whether “spinal decompression works for bulging discs.”

Does a Bulging Disc Mean You Need Surgery?

No. But there are absolutely situations where surgery may be necessary.

A patient with significant or progressive neurological problems, certain types of instability, cauda equina symptoms or other serious findings needs appropriate medical evaluation.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC isn't trying to keep every patient away from a surgeon.

Sometimes a surgical opinion is exactly what someone needs.

One patient, Jeff J. from Tucson, came to the office looking for another option for his back.

After an honest discussion with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC, they determined together that surgery was the appropriate option for his particular condition.

Jeff still gave the practice a positive review, saying:

“After an honest and forthright conversation, we both determined that surgery was my only option to correct my back issues.”

That may not be the answer a patient hopes to hear, but it's an answer they need to hear when it's appropriate.

What Happens at the No-Charge Consultation?

If you have a bulging or herniated disc and you're trying to figure out your next step, the consultation gives you an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC before making any decisions about treatment.

Your consultation includes:

• One-on-one consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

• Discussion of your back or neck problem

• Review of any pain, numbness or tingling traveling into an arm or leg

• Discussion of treatments you've already tried

• Review of your available MRI and X-rays

• Discussion of how your imaging may relate to your symptoms

• Determination of whether additional examination or imaging may be appropriate

• Discussion of whether you may be a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

• Time to ask your questions before deciding what you want to do next

There is no obligation to start treatment.

If Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC doesn't think you're a candidate, he'll tell you.

Bulging Disc Treatment Without Surgery in San Diego, CA

If you've been diagnosed with a bulging, herniated, protruded or extruded disc and you're still dealing with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, numbness or tingling, you don't have to figure this out on your own.

Bring your MRI if you have one.

Sit down with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC and let him take a look at your case.

The first question isn't whether you need 12 treatments, 24 treatments or any treatment at all.

The first question is whether you're actually a candidate.

Schedule Your No-Charge Consultation

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123

619-298-0800
SanDiegoBackCare.com

24/7 Answering Service

Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 619-298-0800 anytime to request your No-Charge Consultation.

Hablamos Español

Spanish-speaking patients are welcome. Hablamos Español.

Have a Bulging Disc? Let's Find Out What You're Actually Dealing With.

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule a No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

If you already have an MRI, bring it with you.

We'll review what you have, talk about what you've been through and determine whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be appropriate for your condition.