Can Spinal Decompression Help a Herniated Disc? – Coronado, CA

What If Your Herniated Disc Pain Keeps Coming Back?

One of the most frustrating things about a herniated disc is that the pain can improve for a while and then suddenly return.

A patient may rest, take medication, complete physical therapy, receive chiropractic care, or have an injection and begin feeling better. Then a long drive, workout, golf game, lifting something around the house, or even an ordinary day can trigger another episode.

For some patients, this cycle continues for months or even years.

A lumbar disc injury can cause localized lower-back pain, but when a nerve becomes irritated or compressed, symptoms may extend into the buttock, leg, calf, foot, or toes.

Common symptoms include:

• Lower-back pain

• Sciatica

• Buttock pain

• Burning pain into the leg

• Calf pain

• Numbness or tingling

• Pins and needles

• Foot or toe symptoms

• Leg weakness

• Difficulty sitting

• Difficulty standing or walking

For appropriately selected patients, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression can be an effective treatment option for herniated discs, bulging discs, disc protrusions, extrusions, degenerative disc conditions, and associated nerve irritation.

At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has spent more than 22 years helping patients with difficult disc-related spinal conditions.

The first step is determining what is actually causing the symptoms and whether the patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment.

Back Pain From a Disc Herniation Was Interfering With Everyday Life

Paul C. described losing mobility and having difficulty with something as basic as putting on his shoes because of pain from a disc herniation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Paul C.

“I have been seeing Dr. Boelk since November for my back pain due to disc herniation. I lost mobility and had difficulty even putting shoes on. The pain was interfering with my everyday lifestyle. After reviewing the X-ray results, we agreed upon a treatment plan. Agreeing to this treatment plan was the best choice I've made for my back pain. The spinal decompression has relieved all the pain I felt in my lower back. I can walk, run and exercise without any pain and I'm able to get back in the gym and continue my daily routines. The office staff are very friendly and caring as well. I highly recommend Dr. Boelk's office to anyone seeking exceptional care.”

— Paul C.

Individual results vary. Paul's experience demonstrates the impact a disc herniation can have on mobility and everyday activities and why some patients investigate Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression as a conservative treatment option.

Have a Herniated Disc and Want to Know if Decompression Is an Option?

Patients from Coronado and throughout San Diego can schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Patients who already have MRI images, X-rays, or reports are encouraged to bring them. Imaging is not required simply to schedule a consultation.

The purpose is to discuss the condition, previous treatment, available imaging, and whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be appropriate.

Consultation appointments are limited based on availability.

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation.

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

What Does a Herniated Disc Actually Mean?

The spinal discs sit between the vertebrae and help distribute loads while allowing the spine to move.

Each disc has a stronger outer portion surrounding softer material internally. When the outer portion becomes damaged or weakened, disc material can begin moving outward.

An MRI report may describe this using terms such as:

• Disc bulge

• Disc protrusion

• Disc herniation

• Disc extrusion

• Annular fissure or tear

• Disc degeneration

• Disc desiccation

• Loss of disc height

These findings are related, but they do not all mean exactly the same thing.

More importantly, the words on an MRI report do not determine by themselves how much pain a patient should have or what treatment should be recommended.

The location of the disc injury matters. Whether a nerve is involved matters. Spinal stability matters. Neurological findings matter. The patient's actual symptoms matter.

This is why Dr. Boelk, DC personally reviews available MRI studies and compares the imaging with the patient's clinical presentation rather than relying only on the written radiology report.

Why Can a Herniated Disc Cause Sciatica?

The nerves exiting the lower spine eventually contribute to the sciatic nerve.

When a lumbar disc protrudes or herniates into an area occupied by one of these nerves, the patient may experience symptoms extending far beyond the lower back.

This can include pain, burning, numbness, tingling, or weakness traveling into the buttock, thigh, calf, foot, or toes.

Some patients with a significant disc injury have surprisingly little lower-back pain. Their primary complaint may be severe leg pain or neurological symptoms.

This is also why simply treating the location where the patient feels pain may not address the underlying problem.

An Extruded Disc Was Pressing on Her L5 Nerve

Amanda spent months going between appointments and urgent care because of severe pain. Her MRI eventually showed an extruded disc pressing on the L5 nerve.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amanda — San Diego, CA

“Last year, I spent three months constantly going back and forth between doctor’s appointments and urgent care. The pain was unbearable—I was taking medication regularly just to get through the day. Getting out of bed was excruciating, and walking or standing felt like torture. Every step filled me with dread.

In December, my doctor finally ordered an MRI. That’s when I learned I had an extruded disc pressing on my L5 nerve, which affects the leg and foot. My doctor scheduled two follow-up appointments: one for pain management (spinal injections), and another to evaluate me for surgery.

Then I discovered spinal decompression therapy. I was thrilled to find a non-invasive alternative. I never ended up needing either of those appointments.

Now, I’m walking regularly, standing up straight—something I couldn’t do before. When I first sought help, I was so hunched over that I had to use a cane just to move forward. Because of the pain, I hadn’t exercised in months. But now, I’m doing a program called 75 hard which requires not one but 2 45-minute workouts per day, and I've even gotten back to lifting weights!

I’m so thankful I found this place. It’s conveniently located near my work, which makes it easy to fit sessions into my lunch break. Dr. Boelk and the staff are incredibly friendly and polite—it’s always a pleasure to come in.

The environment is so relaxing that I look forward to each visit. I truly thank God for leading me to this alternative. It’s made such a difference in my life.”

— Amanda, San Diego, CA

Amanda's testimonial reflects her individual experience and does not guarantee another patient's results.

How Is the DRX9000 Used for a Herniated Disc?

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

The DRX9000 applies controlled decompression and relaxation cycles to a targeted region of the lumbar spine.

For appropriately selected patients with disc-related conditions, treatment is designed to reduce mechanical stress affecting the injured spinal region and surrounding nerve structures.

Treatment is individualized based on factors such as:

• Disc level being treated

• Treatment angle

• Patient positioning

• Starting force

• Body size

• Location of symptoms

• Treatment cycles

• Patient tolerance

• Response to previous treatments

There is no single decompression setting that should be used for every person with a herniated disc.

The equipment matters, but so do patient selection, treatment parameters, progression, clinical monitoring, and rehabilitation.

What Does Improvement Look Like?

The goal of treatment is not simply to make an MRI look different.

What matters clinically is how the patient is functioning.

Signs of improvement can include:

• Decreased lower-back pain

• Less sciatica

• Reduced numbness or tingling

• Improved sleep

• Increased sitting tolerance

• Increased standing tolerance

• Walking farther or more comfortably

• Improved strength

• Returning to exercise

• Returning to work

• Resuming recreational activities

A patient does not necessarily need a perfectly normal-looking disc on a future MRI to experience meaningful clinical improvement.

What Does the No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation Consist Of?

The consultation gives patients an opportunity to meet with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC, discuss what has been happening, and determine what the next step may be.

The consultation consists of:

• Reviewing the patient's current symptoms

• Discussing when and how the problem began

• Reviewing previous treatments and how the patient responded

• Discussing previous spinal injuries or surgeries

• Reviewing existing MRI or X-ray imaging when available

• Discussing what may be causing the patient's pain or neurological symptoms

• Determining whether further examination or imaging may be appropriate

• Answering questions about Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

• Discussing whether the patient appears to be a potential candidate

• Explaining the next step if further evaluation or treatment is appropriate

There is no obligation to begin treatment.

If Dr. Boelk, DC does not believe Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is appropriate, he will explain that as well.

Some Patients Travel Hundreds of Miles for Treatment

Patients seeking Dr. Boelk's experience with difficult spinal conditions have traveled significant distances to the San Diego office.

Rosa Algravez traveled from Calexico after dealing with low-back pain and leg numbness for four years.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rosa Algravez — Calexico, CA

“Hi my name is Rosa Algravez. I have suffered from leg numbness and low back pain for 4 years. I haven’t been able to do groceries or even take baths without pain. I looked for relief with various doctors with no luck. I have done treatments ranging from chiropractic to acupuncture. My husband found Dr. Boelk in the newspaper and we decided since we had tried everything else that we were going to give this a try. After my first few treatments, I feel as though I have returned to 100%. Life for me is completely different.

My husband and I have returned to enjoying life. We travel 300+ miles everyday from Calexico. I can do things now with little to no limitations. The staff makes you feel welcomed and it’s a very family environment. The payments are easy and I would recommend this to anyone suffering with low back pain. Thank You”

— Rosa Algravez, Age 58, Calexico, CA

Rosa's testimonial reflects her individual experience and does not guarantee another patient's results.

Not Every Patient With a Herniated Disc Is a Candidate

An MRI showing a herniated disc does not automatically mean Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression should be performed.

Depending on the patient's individual circumstances, treatment may not be appropriate in situations involving:

• Unstable spondylolisthesis

• Certain spinal fractures

• Significant osteoporosis

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Pregnancy for lumbar treatment

• Certain malignancies

• Certain surgical hardware at the treatment level

• Progressive neurological weakness

• Cauda equina syndrome

• Other conditions that make decompression unsafe

Sometimes additional imaging is needed. Sometimes another type of conservative treatment is more appropriate. And sometimes surgery or another specialist evaluation is the correct recommendation.

Knowing when not to perform Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is an important part of patient selection.

Sometimes the Right Recommendation Is Not Spinal Decompression

Jeff J. traveled from Tucson after learning about the practice and researching his options.

After meeting with Dr. Boelk, DC, they determined that surgery was the appropriate option for his particular condition.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jeff J. — Tucson, AZ

“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 a 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's experience illustrates an important part of the practice philosophy: the purpose of an evaluation is not to put every patient into a decompression program. It is to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

Why Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

Dr. Boelk's practice has focused extensively on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and difficult disc-related spinal conditions for more than two decades.

His background includes:

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC)

• More than 22 years helping patients with disc-related spinal conditions

• More than 100,000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression treatments performed

• Founder of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

• Founding Member of the American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member of the International Disc Education Association

Dr. Boelk has also spent thousands of hours rehabilitating significant neck and lower-back injuries of his own, giving him personal as well as clinical experience with spinal injuries, rehabilitation, and returning to an active lifestyle.

Seven DRX9000 Systems Dedicated to Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego has:

• 7 DRX9000 spinal decompression systems

• 4 lumbar DRX9000 systems

• 3 cervical DRX9000C systems

• Individualized decompression protocols

• MRI review when appropriate

• Weight-bearing spinal evaluation

• Rehabilitation and spinal stabilization when appropriate

• Careful candidacy screening

Patients seek Dr. Boelk's expertise from throughout San Diego County and Southern California, as well as from other states and countries.

When a Herniated Disc Requires Immediate Medical Attention

Most herniated discs do not represent neurological emergencies.

Certain symptoms require immediate medical evaluation, including:

• New loss of bladder or bowel control

• Difficulty beginning urination

• Loss of sensation around the groin, genitals, buttocks, or inner thighs

• Rapidly progressing leg weakness

• Sudden difficulty controlling one or both legs

These symptoms can be associated with cauda equina syndrome or another serious neurological condition and require urgent evaluation.

Find Out Whether Your Herniated Disc May Be a Candidate for Conservative Treatment

For Coronado patients dealing with persistent back pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, or other symptoms associated with a herniated disc, the next step does not have to be committing to surgery—or even committing to a decompression program.

It can simply be getting another opinion and understanding the condition better.

Schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation

Dr. Boelk personally evaluates new patients, and consultation appointments are limited based on availability.

Patients who already have MRI images, X-rays, or reports are encouraged to bring them. Patients who do not have imaging can still schedule a consultation.

The purpose of the consultation is to discuss the condition, answer questions, and determine whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be appropriate.

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

Office: 619-298-0800
Office Cell: 619-884-8298
www.SanDiegoBackCare.com

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

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