Can Spinal Decompression Help an L4-L5 Disc Herniation? | La Jolla, CA

An L4-L5 disc herniation doesn't always stop you in your tracks.

Sometimes it starts much more gradually.

Maybe you can still golf, surf, work out or take your normal walks, but you're paying for it afterward. Sitting in the car is getting harder. You find yourself avoiding certain exercises. You wake up stiff and have to move around for a while before your back settles down.

Then the symptoms start going into the leg.

That's usually when people become more concerned.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has treated disc injuries with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression for more than 22 years and has performed more than 100,000 treatments. L4-L5 is one of the most common levels he sees.

Can spinal decompression help?

For the right patient, it may be a very reasonable option to consider.

The more important question is whether you're the right patient.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I’m Walking Regularly, Standing Up Straight”

“I learned I had an extruded disc pressing on my L5 nerve.”

“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 had reached the point where walking and standing were extremely difficult and she was using a cane.

Her MRI showed an extruded disc affecting the L5 nerve.

That combination—the imaging, where the symptoms were going and how badly they were affecting her function—is the type of case Dr. Boelk wants to understand before deciding whether decompression makes sense.

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Have an L4-L5 Herniation on Your MRI? Bring the Images With You.

You don't have to decide whether you want spinal decompression before coming in.

Dr. Boelk offers a No-Charge Consultation specifically so you can find out whether he thinks you're a candidate.

If you've already had an MRI, bring the actual images along with the report if possible.

Dr. Boelk will personally review them and ask about what's been happening.

Where does the pain go? Is your foot numb? Can you sit comfortably? How long can you walk? What happens when you exercise? Are you improving, or have you slowly been giving things up because of the problem?

He'll also consider:

• Where the L4-L5 disc is herniated.

• Whether the herniation appears to be affecting a nerve.

• Whether the MRI findings match your symptoms.

• Numbness, tingling or changes in sensation.

• Any loss of strength.

• Previous treatment and how you responded.

• Whether spinal stability needs to be evaluated.

• Whether additional imaging or examination may be appropriate.

• Whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression makes sense.

There is no charge and no obligation to start treatment.

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes Dr. Boelk doesn't think decompression is appropriate.

Finding that out is the reason for the consultation.

Because Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations while treating his existing patients throughout the week, only a limited number can be set aside in the schedule.

Call 619-298-0800 and ask about the next available No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

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What Does L4-L5 Actually Mean?

L4-L5 is simply the disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in your lower back.

It's also an area that takes a lot of mechanical stress.

When that disc becomes injured, the symptoms can vary considerably depending on what has happened to the disc and whether nearby nerve tissue is involved.

Some patients mostly complain about lower back pain.

Others barely mention their back.

They want to know why their buttock hurts, why their leg burns or why part of their foot feels numb.

That's why Dr. Boelk doesn't look at the words “L4-L5 herniation” and automatically decide what treatment someone needs.

You Can Still Be Active and Have a Significant Disc Problem

Dr. Boelk sees active patients who continue exercising despite their symptoms.

Sometimes that's perfectly reasonable.

Other times they're clearly aggravating the problem but don't realize it.

A patient might say, “I can still work out.”

Then Dr. Boelk starts asking questions.

What happens while you're working out?

What happens an hour later?

What happens that night?

What happens the following morning?

If an exercise consistently causes symptoms to travel farther down your leg or leaves you substantially worse afterward, that's worth paying attention to.

You don't have to become afraid of movement.

You do need to listen to what the problem is telling you.

What Does the DRX9000 Do for an L4-L5 Disc?

Dr. Boelk uses the DRX9000 exclusively for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

Treatment uses controlled distraction of the spine with the goal of reducing mechanical stress at the involved spinal segment and creating a more favorable environment around the disc and surrounding structures.

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

Dr. Boelk doesn't promise patients that the machine is going to “suck the disc back in.”

After more than 100,000 treatments, he's much more interested in what the patient is actually doing.

Can you walk farther?

Can you sit longer?

Is the pain still going into your foot?

Are you sleeping?

Can you get through the workday?

Are you starting to return to activities you've been avoiding?

That's progress he can use.

Pay Attention to What You've Slowly Stopped Doing

This is easy to miss.

Six months ago you were walking for an hour.

Now it's 20 minutes.

You used to play 18 holes of golf and now you hesitate to commit because you're worried about your back.

You used to surf several mornings a week but now you're thinking about whether it's worth dealing with the pain afterward.

Maybe you haven't completely “lost” any of those activities yet.

You're just doing less and less of them.

That change matters.

It can also be more informative than whether today's pain happens to be a 5 or a 6.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It Really Helps Keep Me in My Active Life”

“I travel from the UK to see Dr Boelk and his wonderful team.”

“I travel from the UK to see Dr Boelk and his wonderful team . I have 3 bulging disc and one is touching the nerve. I have the spinal decompression treatment and it really helps keep me in my active life . I will not go to anyone else for back treatment, this place is number one and they genuinely care about their patients.”

— Lisa S., United Kingdom

Lisa travels from the United Kingdom for care and specifically talks about spinal decompression helping her stay active.

Most patients aren't traveling across the Atlantic to see Dr. Boelk, but patients have come to the clinic from around the United States and internationally.

Whether someone lives in La Jolla or London, however, they still need to be an appropriate candidate.

What If Your L4-L5 Herniation Has Been There for Years?

The age of the MRI isn't the only thing Dr. Boelk considers.

He wants to know what's happening now.

Maybe you've known about the herniation for five years and functioned well until recently.

What changed?

Did the pain start going into the leg?

Did you have a new injury?

Are you sitting more?

Have you started losing strength?

Is there another level involved now?

Sometimes updated imaging is appropriate. Sometimes weight-bearing X-rays are useful, particularly when Dr. Boelk wants more information about spinal alignment or stability.

The point is not to assume an old diagnosis explains every new symptom.

Do You Need Surgery for an L4-L5 Herniation?

Not simply because the MRI shows a herniation.

Many lumbar disc problems can initially be managed conservatively, depending on symptoms and neurological findings.

There are also times when Dr. Boelk doesn't want someone delaying appropriate medical or surgical evaluation.

Progressive weakness is important.

If your leg is clearly becoming weaker, you're having increasing difficulty lifting your foot or you're developing other progressive neurological changes, that needs to be evaluated.

New bowel or bladder dysfunction, difficulty initiating or controlling urination, or numbness around the groin, inner thighs or saddle region requires prompt medical attention.

Those aren't symptoms to wait on.

★ Sometimes the Right Answer Isn't Spinal Decompression

Dr. Boelk has spent more than two decades doing spinal decompression, but that doesn't mean he thinks everybody should have it.

“We both determined that surgery was my only option.”

“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 traveled from Tucson hoping there might be another option.

After reviewing the situation, Dr. Boelk didn't recommend spinal decompression.

They agreed that surgery was appropriate.

That's exactly why Dr. Boelk evaluates candidacy before treatment.

More Than 22 Years Focused on Spinal Decompression

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has performed more than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments and his clinic has seven DRX9000 systems.

His professional background includes:

• Doctor of Chiropractic

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC)

• Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

• Trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques

• Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member, International Disc Education Association

• California X-Ray Radiation Supervisor & Operator

Dr. Boelk also has personal experience with spinal injury. He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica.

He continues to stay active with surfing, hockey and exercise, so he understands why “just stop doing everything” isn't much of a long-term plan for an active patient.

If You're in La Jolla and Have an L4-L5 Disc Herniation

You don't have to wait until you've completely stopped doing the things you enjoy before getting another opinion.

And you don't have to commit to treatment just because you schedule a consultation.

Bring the MRI.

Tell Dr. Boelk what's changed.

Tell him what you're still able to do and what you're starting to avoid.

Then let him tell you whether he thinks Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is worth considering.

No-Charge Consultation With Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

Dr. Boelk personally performs the consultation.

Bring your MRI images if you have them.

There is no charge and no obligation to begin treatment.

If Dr. Boelk believes your L4-L5 disc herniation may be appropriate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, he'll explain why.

If he doesn't, he'll tell you that too.

Only a limited number of these appointments can be set aside each week because Dr. Boelk performs them personally while continuing to treat his existing patients.

Call 619-298-0800 and ask about the next available No-Charge Consultation.

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

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

619-298-0800
SanDiegoBackCare.com

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