Can You Have Sciatica Without Back Pain? | Chula Vista, CA

Yes. You can have sciatica even when your lower back doesn't hurt.

That surprises a lot of people. They feel pain in the buttock or leg, maybe burning in the calf or numbness in the foot, but their back feels pretty normal. So naturally they assume the problem can't be coming from the lower back.

After more than 22 years treating patients with disc injuries and sciatica, Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has learned not to make that assumption.

Some patients have the classic combination of lower-back pain and pain shooting down the leg. Others have very little back pain. Their biggest complaint may be pain in the buttock, a burning sensation down the leg, numbness in the foot, or tingling that won't go away.

The reason is fairly simple. The nerves involved in sciatica originate in the lower spine and travel into the leg. When one of those nerves becomes irritated or compressed, you don't necessarily feel the worst symptoms at the point where the problem begins. You may feel them farther down the nerve.

That doesn't mean every pain in the buttock, thigh or calf is sciatica. It isn't.

The question is where your symptoms are actually coming from.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “For the First Time in 10 Years, I Am Completely Pain-Free”

“My sciatca is gone, and I no longer have back pain.”

“For the first time in 10 years, I am completely pain-free. My sciatca is gone, and I no longer have back pain.

Before finding Dr. Boelk, I tried chiropractic care, acupuncture, pain medications, and several other therapies that simply didn't work. I was one step away from back surgery when I discovered spinal decompression treatment at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.

The results have been incredible. Every visit was comfortable, relaxing, and completely pain-free. Dr. Boelk and Patty always took the time to explain everything and made me feel genuinely cared for throughout the process.

They are warm, welcoming, and truly dedicated to helping their patients.

Thank you, Dr. Boelk and Patty!”

— Toni H., San Diego, CA

Toni had both back pain and sciatica, but not everyone does.

That's one of the reasons Dr. Boelk spends time listening to exactly what a patient is feeling rather than deciding what's wrong based on one symptom.

A patient might say, “My leg hurts,” but that leaves a lot unanswered.

Where does it start? Where does it stop? Does it go below the knee? Is it pain or burning? Is part of the foot numb? Which part? Does sitting make it worse? Does walking make it worse? What happens when you bend forward, cough or sneeze? Has the leg started feeling weaker?

Those details matter.

Not Sure What's Causing Your Leg Pain? Start With a No-Charge Consultation

If you're in Chula Vista or the surrounding San Diego area and you've been dealing with persistent leg pain, burning, numbness or tingling, you don't have to figure out the diagnosis before you call.

You can start with a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation personally with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

This isn't a commitment to start spinal decompression treatment.

In fact, Dr. Boelk hasn't decided whether you're a candidate yet either.

The first step is simply sitting down, going through what's been happening and determining whether your symptoms appear to be something Dr. Boelk may be able to help.

During your No-Charge Consultation, Dr. Boelk will:

• Listen to how the problem started and how it has changed.

• Go through exactly where your pain or other symptoms travel.

• Discuss any numbness, tingling, burning or weakness.

• Review what makes the symptoms better or worse.

• Discuss treatments you've already tried and what happened.

• Review your actual MRI images and report, if you have them.

• Compare what appears on the MRI with what you're actually experiencing.

• Discuss whether additional examination or imaging may be appropriate.

• Determine whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an option.

• Tell you if he doesn't believe you're a candidate.

• Answer your questions and explain what he believes makes sense as a next step.

No MRI? That's okay. You can still schedule.

There is no charge and no obligation to begin treatment.

Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations while also treating the patients already under his care. Because of that, the office can only set aside a limited number of No-Charge Consultation appointments during the clinic schedule.

If you've been dealing with the problem for weeks or months and still don't know why your leg hurts, you don't need to wait for your back to start hurting too.

Call 619-298-0800

Ask for the next available No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Why Can Sciatica Hurt Your Leg but Not Your Back?

This makes more sense when you stop thinking of pain as something that always occurs directly over the injured area.

Nerves travel.

When a nerve becomes irritated in one location, symptoms can be felt somewhere else along its pathway.

With sciatica, the nerve roots involved originate in the lower spine. If one of those nerve roots becomes irritated or compressed, the symptoms can travel into the buttock and leg.

For one patient, the main symptom may be an ache deep in the buttock.

Another may describe burning down the outside or back of the thigh.

Someone else may have very little pain but can't get rid of the numbness in part of the foot.

This is why Dr. Boelk doesn't automatically rule out a lumbar problem when someone says, “My back feels fine.”

But he also doesn't assume every painful leg is sciatica.

The history has to make sense.

The symptoms have to make sense.

And when imaging is available, that needs to make sense too.

“I Keep Stretching My Hamstring, but It Never Loosens Up”

Dr. Boelk hears versions of this frequently.

A patient has a pulling or tight feeling down the back of the thigh, so they assume the hamstring is tight. They stretch it every morning. Maybe they use a foam roller or massage gun.

It feels better temporarily, but the same sensation keeps returning.

Sometimes it really is a muscular problem.

But an irritated nerve can also produce sensations that patients interpret as tightness.

One clue is what happens during the stretch.

If you feel a normal muscular stretch and feel better afterward, that's one thing.

If stretching causes burning, tingling, numbness or sends pain farther down the leg, tell Dr. Boelk.

That's different information.

The same applies to pain in the buttock. It isn't automatically a piriformis problem simply because the buttock hurts.

This is why treating the place that hurts isn't always the same thing as treating the source of the symptoms.

Show Dr. Boelk Exactly Where the Symptoms Travel

When you come in, don't worry about using medical terminology.

You don't need to know whether you have an L4, L5 or S1 problem.

Just show Dr. Boelk what you're experiencing.

He may ask:

• Where does the pain begin?

• Does it travel through the buttock?

• Does it go down the back or outside of the thigh?

• Does it stop above the knee or continue below it?

• Does the calf hurt or burn?

• Is the top or outside of the foot numb?

• Which toes tingle?

• Does one leg feel weaker?

Different lumbar nerve roots are associated with different areas of sensation and muscle function, so these patterns can provide useful clues.

They're not perfect diagnostic maps.

Real patients don't always follow textbook patterns exactly, and that's why Dr. Boelk doesn't make the diagnosis from a symptom chart alone.

He puts the pieces together.

Your MRI Should Make Sense With Your Symptoms

One of the mistakes patients make is assuming everything written on an MRI report must be causing their pain.

A lumbar MRI might show a disc bulge at one level, degeneration at another, a herniation somewhere else and narrowing around one or more nerves.

That sounds alarming when you read it all at once.

But which finding actually matters?

That's what Dr. Boelk wants to determine.

If all of your symptoms are running down the left leg, he wants to see whether the imaging provides a reasonable explanation for what's happening on the left.

If part of your foot is numb, he wants to know whether the MRI and the rest of the clinical picture make sense with that symptom.

This is also why Dr. Boelk prefers patients to bring the actual MRI images, not just the written report.

The radiologist's report is useful, but it isn't the entire evaluation.

Dr. Boelk wants to compare the images with the person sitting in front of him.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Now, I'm Walking Regularly, Standing Up Straight”

“Getting out of bed was excruciating, and walking or standing felt like torture.”

“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 story is a good example of why Dr. Boelk doesn't look only at someone's pain score.

Her problem had started changing her life.

Walking was difficult. Standing was difficult. Getting out of bed was difficult. Exercise had stopped.

That's what chronic sciatica can gradually do.

What Are You Doing Differently Because of Your Leg?

This is a question Dr. Boelk thinks patients should ask themselves.

People adapt.

Maybe you still go to work, but the drive has become miserable.

Maybe you still exercise, but you've stopped doing half of what you used to do.

Maybe you walk, but only short distances.

Maybe you're sleeping with three pillows in a very specific position because that's the only way you can get comfortable.

Maybe you keep putting off a trip because sitting on an airplane sounds awful.

None of those things necessarily feels dramatic by itself.

But add them together over several months and you may realize you've reorganized a significant part of your life around your leg.

That's worth paying attention to.

Waiting another week isn't always unreasonable. Many problems improve with time.

But if you keep saying “another week” while the weeks turn into months and you're doing less and less, waiting has a cost too.

You don't necessarily need treatment.

But you probably deserve to know what you're dealing with.

Don't Forget About Numbness and Weakness

Pain gets people's attention because it hurts.

Numbness and weakness can be easier to dismiss.

Dr. Boelk wants to know about those symptoms too.

Tell him if part of the foot stays numb, tingling is becoming more frequent, one leg feels weaker, you're having difficulty lifting the front of your foot, your foot starts slapping the ground, or you're catching your toes when you walk.

And if your pain starts improving while weakness is getting worse, don't assume everything is fine simply because you hurt less.

Most sciatica isn't an emergency. Rapidly progressing weakness, new bowel or bladder dysfunction, difficulty urinating, or numbness around the groin or saddle area requires prompt medical evaluation rather than waiting for a routine spinal decompression consultation.

Could Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Be an Option?

Possibly.

Dr. Boelk first needs to determine what's causing the symptoms and whether you're an appropriate candidate.

He evaluates patients with conditions including:

• Lumbar disc bulges and herniations

• Degenerative disc disease

• Disc-related sciatica

• Foraminal narrowing

• Selected cases of spinal stenosis

• Chronic disc-related lower-back and leg pain

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego uses the DRX9000 exclusively.

But having an MRI that says “disc bulge” or “disc herniation” doesn't automatically mean Dr. Boelk will recommend spinal decompression.

He considers your history, symptoms, neurological findings, imaging, spinal stability, bone health, previous surgery and other medical factors before deciding whether you're a candidate.

There are situations where decompression may not be appropriate, including an unhealed fracture, significant osteoporosis, unstable spondylolisthesis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, pregnancy for lumbar decompression, certain malignancies and other medical or structural conditions.

Previous spinal surgery needs to be evaluated carefully too, especially when fusion or metal hardware is present at the level that would need treatment.

★ Sometimes the Most Valuable Answer Is “No”

A No-Charge Consultation only has value if Dr. Boelk is willing to tell someone when he doesn't think treatment is appropriate.

Toni W. came to the office hoping spinal decompression might be an option. Because of the hardware in her back, it wasn't.

“But I'm glad I took the time to meet with him.”

“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

She didn't become a decompression patient.

The consultation still gave her useful information.

That's how it should work.

If Dr. Boelk believes you're a candidate, he'll explain why.

If he needs more information, he'll tell you what he needs.

If he doesn't think you're a candidate, he'll tell you that too.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

• Doctor of Chiropractic

• More than 22 years of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression experience

• More than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments

• 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 understands spinal injuries from the patient's side.

He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica himself. He remains active with surfing, hockey and exercise.

That perspective matters because most patients aren't coming into the office simply wanting a lower number on a pain scale.

They want to sleep normally.

They want to walk.

They want to exercise.

They want to travel.

They want to sit through a drive without constantly thinking about their leg.

They want to get back to their life.

Still Wondering Whether Your Leg Pain Could Be Coming From Your Back?

You don't need to figure that out yourself.

And scheduling a consultation doesn't mean you're committing to treatment.

The next step is simply finding out what Dr. Boelk thinks.

Here's what you get during the No-Charge Consultation:

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

• Review of how your symptoms started and how they've changed

• Discussion of exactly where your pain, numbness or tingling travels

• Review of any weakness or changes in function

• Discussion of what makes the symptoms better or worse

• Review of treatments you've already tried and how you responded

• Review of your actual MRI images and report, if available

• Comparison of your imaging with your symptoms

• Discussion of whether additional examination or imaging may be appropriate

• An assessment of whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an option

• An honest answer if Dr. Boelk doesn't believe you're a candidate

• Time to ask questions and understand what your options may be

No MRI is required to schedule.

There is no charge.

There is no obligation to begin treatment.

And there is no assumption that you're going to become a patient.

Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations while continuing to treat the patients already under his care, so only a limited number can be set aside during the clinic schedule.

If your leg has already been bothering you long enough that you're changing the way you sit, sleep, drive, walk, work or exercise, you don't have to keep guessing.

You also don't have to wait for your back to start hurting before taking the symptoms seriously.

The decision today isn't whether you're going to start spinal decompression.

It's simply whether you'd like an experienced doctor who has worked with these conditions for more than two decades to look at your case and tell you what he thinks.

Call 619-298-0800

Ask for the next available No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Bring your MRI images and report if you have them. If you don't have an MRI, that's okay.

Come in, show Dr. Boelk exactly what you've been dealing with, and find out whether he believes you're a candidate.

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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