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Can Spinal Decompression Help a Herniated Disc? – National City, CA

Can Spinal Decompression Help a Herniated Disc? – National City, CA

Your MRI Says “Herniated Disc.” What Does That Actually Mean?

For many patients, the first time they hear the words “herniated disc” is after an MRI.

The report may contain terms such as disc protrusion, extrusion, annular fissure, nerve-root compression, foraminal narrowing, or degenerative disc disease.

Then comes the bigger question:

What should be done about it?

A herniated disc does not automatically mean surgery is necessary. In fact, many spinal conditions can be managed without surgery when conservative treatment is appropriate.

For properly 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.

The important part is determining whether the findings on the MRI actually correspond with the patient's symptoms and whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression can be performed safely.

At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC personally reviews available MRI studies and evaluates each patient's condition before recommending treatment.

Severe Sciatica and a Herniated Disc

Brian Perrotta came to the office with severe sciatica and a herniated disc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brian Perrotta — San Diego, CA

“I highly recommend Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC and the team at The Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Center. I came in with severe sciatica and a herniated disc, and his treatments have made a world of difference. He and his staff are both professional and genuinely caring, creating a welcoming and supportive environment. The treatments were not only highly effective but also tailored to my specific needs. I’m grateful for the care I received and the significant improvement in my quality of life.”

— Brian Perrotta, San Diego, CA

Individual results vary. Brian's experience demonstrates why a patient with a diagnosed herniated disc and sciatica may want to investigate conservative treatment options before assuming more invasive treatment is the next step.

Have an MRI Showing a Herniated Disc?

Patients from National City and throughout the South Bay can schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Patients who already have an MRI are encouraged to bring the images and report so they can be reviewed.

Patients who do not have an MRI can still schedule a consultation.

The purpose is to discuss the patient's symptoms, 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

A Herniated Disc on MRI Does Not Tell the Whole Story

MRI imaging can provide extremely useful information about the discs, spinal canal, nerves, and surrounding structures.

But an MRI should be interpreted together with what is actually happening to the patient.

One person may have a substantial disc abnormality and surprisingly few symptoms.

Another may have a finding that sounds relatively minor on the written report but experiences severe sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Dr. Boelk, DC looks at factors such as:

  • Which disc is involved

  • Where the disc material is located

  • Whether a nerve root appears affected

  • Whether foraminal or spinal canal narrowing is present

  • Where the patient's pain travels

  • Areas of numbness or tingling

  • Muscle weakness

  • Sitting tolerance

  • Standing and walking tolerance

  • Previous treatment

  • Previous spinal injuries or surgery

  • Spinal stability

The goal is to connect the imaging findings with the patient's actual symptoms.

What Is the Difference Between a Bulge, Protrusion, and Extrusion?

Patients frequently encounter several different terms on an MRI report.

A disc bulge generally describes disc material extending beyond its normal boundary.

A protrusion is a more focal displacement of disc material.

An extrusion describes disc material extending farther through the damaged outer portion of the disc.

Patients may also see terms including:

  • Annular fissure or tear

  • Disc desiccation

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Loss of disc height

  • Foraminal narrowing

  • Central canal narrowing

  • Nerve-root impingement

These findings can help explain the patient's symptoms, but treatment should not be determined from one MRI phrase alone.

How Can a Herniated Disc Cause Sciatica?

A lumbar disc injury can cause lower-back pain without affecting a nerve.

When a nearby lumbar nerve root becomes irritated or compressed, symptoms may travel away from the spine.

Patients may experience:

  • Buttock pain

  • Sciatica

  • Burning into the thigh or calf

  • Numbness

  • Tingling

  • Pins and needles

  • Foot pain

  • Toe numbness

  • Leg weakness

  • Foot weakness

  • Difficulty sitting

  • Difficulty standing or walking

Some patients have relatively little lower-back pain despite significant symptoms in the leg.

This is why the location of the pain does not always identify the location of the actual problem.

Five Herniated Discs and Severe Back Pain

James C. described having five herniated discs and being in severe pain before beginning treatment.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ James C. — San Diego, CA

“This is an amazing place with an amazing staff. When I came here I was in severe pain and I have 5 herniated discs. I was very limited on the things I could do because of the pain. After a couple months of decompression therapy I am virtually pain free and feel great. Dr Boelk is an awesome chiropractor and his knowledge and professionalism is amazing. Thank you all for getting me back on track.”

— James C., San Diego, CA

James's testimonial reflects his 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 spinal decompression systems exclusively.

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

For an appropriately selected patient with a disc-related condition, treatment is intended to reduce mechanical stress affecting the injured spinal region and surrounding nerve structures.

Treatment can be individualized based on factors including:

  • Disc level

  • Treatment angle

  • Patient positioning

  • Starting force

  • Body size

  • Location of symptoms

  • Number of 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.

Patient selection, treatment parameters, progression, clinical monitoring, and rehabilitation all matter.

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

The consultation gives patients an opportunity to meet with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC and better understand what may be causing their symptoms before deciding what to do next.

The consultation consists of:

  • Reviewing the patient's current symptoms

  • Discussing when and how the problem began

  • Reviewing previous treatments and the patient's response

  • Discussing previous spinal injuries or surgeries

  • Reviewing existing MRI or X-ray imaging when available

  • Discussing how the imaging findings may relate to the patient's 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 to San Diego for Treatment

Patients seeking specialized Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression care sometimes travel considerable distances to the San Diego office.

Mercedes Bautista traveled from El Centro after dealing with severe back pain and sciatica.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mercedes Bautista — El Centro, CA

“I have been suffering from back pain for 2 years and the sciatic pain was so bad I could barely walk. I tried medications, injections and therapy but nothing helped me. I found Dr. Boelk and decided to drive from El Centro to San Diego for treatment.

The spinal decompression treatments have helped me so much. I can walk again without the terrible pain and I am able to do things I couldn't do before. The drive is worth it to me because I finally found something that has helped.

Dr. Boelk and his staff are very caring and I would recommend this office to anyone suffering with back pain and sciatica.”

— Mercedes Bautista, El Centro, CA

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

Not Every Herniated Disc Is a Candidate for Spinal Decompression

Finding a herniated disc on an MRI does not automatically make a patient a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

Depending upon the individual circumstances, treatment may not be appropriate for patients with:

  • 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 form of conservative treatment is more appropriate.

And sometimes surgery or another specialist evaluation is the appropriate recommendation.

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

She Wanted Treatment, but Dr. Boelk Would Not Treat Her

Toni W. had extensive surgical hardware in her back and was interested in Dr. Boelk's program.

After reviewing her situation, she was not accepted for treatment.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Toni W. — Lake Elsinore, CA

“Very nice Dr. and Honest ! I would definitely recommend anyone who hasn't had metal put in there back in a surgery to go to him and give his program a shot. I believe it would definitely help. 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

Toni's experience is an important example of why candidacy screening matters.

The objective is not to place every patient into a decompression program. It is to determine whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is appropriate and safe for that individual patient.

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 injury and rehabilitation.

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

The office is located in Kearny Mesa and treats patients from National City, the South Bay, and throughout San Diego County.

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 medical evaluation.

Bring the MRI and Find Out What the Findings May Mean

For National City patients who have been diagnosed with a herniated, bulging, protruding, or extruded disc, the next step does not have to be immediately committing to injections, surgery, or a decompression program.

It can simply be understanding the condition and finding out whether conservative treatment may be appropriate.

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 review the patient's 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
Website: 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.

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(619) 298-0800