Do Herniated Discs Need Surgery? – Mission Valley, CA

You finally get the MRI report, and there it is: a herniated disc. Maybe the pain runs down your leg every time you sit in the car. Maybe you’re still getting through work, but by the time you get home, all you want to do is lie down. Now you’re wondering whether this will settle on its own or whether you need back surgery.

Most people with a herniated disc in the lower back improve without surgery. The next step depends on what the MRI shows, how well it matches your symptoms and examination, and what’s changing over time. If you’re walking farther and sleeping better, that’s worth bringing up. If your leg is getting weaker or the pain still keeps you from getting through the day after appropriate nonsurgical care, those details can change the recommendation.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC, helps Mission Valley residents understand their lumbar MRI findings and explore their options at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego in Kearny Mesa. He is a Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor and Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist with more than 22 years of clinical experience.

A Patient Who Had Already Seen Six Other Doctors

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Dr. Boelk and his team are the best in the business! I have had lower back problems for over 5 years and been to 6 other doctors seeking options other than surgery. I came in early January not able to bend and walking with a limp. By February I was able to bend again with minimal pain and by March I am now able to bend without any pain and am able to walk normally. I am EXTREMELY happy I did not have surgery and found Dr. Boelk. Trust him and the process and he will get you feeling better. He also said from the beginning that if at any stage in the process he felt like progress wasn't happening he would let me know which was not the case with other specialist I have seen in the past so I appreciate that.”

— Calder Pearce, Patient Review

Calder talks about two things that mattered to him: getting back to walking and bending comfortably, and knowing his doctor would tell him if care wasn’t helping. If you’re considering another course of treatment, it’s reasonable to ask how progress will be measured and when the plan will be reassessed.

Start With a Complimentary, No-Obligation Consultation

If you’ve been told you have a herniated disc and aren’t sure what to do next, bring the MRI report and the images if you have access to them. If a surgeon has already recommended a procedure, bring the notes or tell Dr. Boelk what the surgeon was concerned about.

During your visit, you can discuss:

• Where your symptoms travel. Explain whether the pain stays in your back or reaches your buttock, calf, foot, or toes.

• What’s changed since it started. Mention whether you’re walking farther, sitting less comfortably, or noticing a change in strength or sensation.

• What you’ve already tried. Describe what improved, which symptoms remained, and how long any relief lasted.

• What a formal evaluation would involve. Ask how Dr. Boelk evaluates patients for DRX9000 nonsurgical spinal decompression and when a referral may be appropriate.

Call 619-298-0800 to request a complimentary, no-charge, no-obligation consultation.

What Does the MRI Tell You About Your Leg Pain?

A report might list a herniation at L4–L5 and a bulge at L5–S1. When you’re reading it at home, the finding described as “severe” is likely to get your attention first. During an examination, the clinician also considers which leg hurts, where the pain or numbness goes, and whether strength, sensation, or reflexes have changed. Disc changes can appear on MRI in people without back pain, so the scan needs to be interpreted alongside those findings.

For example, say the report spends several lines describing a disc on the left, but your main problem is pain down the right leg. Tell your clinician exactly where it travels and whether you’ve noticed trouble lifting your foot. Ask them to show you which finding fits what you’re experiencing and explain what they found on the exam.

Three Questions to Ask If Back Surgery Has Been Recommended

1. Which symptom is the operation expected to improve?

You might have an ache in your lower back when you get out of bed and a separate burning pain down your calf when you drive. Tell the surgeon about both. A procedure that relieves pressure on a lumbar nerve generally has more predictable results for radiating leg pain than for low back pain. Ask what improvement the surgeon expects in your case.

2. What did you find on my exam that matches the MRI?

Ask whether the recommendation is based on persistent pain, a change in nerve function, or both. If the surgeon found weakness, ask which movement is affected and what that means for your options. It can help to have them show you the disc and the affected nerve on the images.

3. What are the risks of waiting in my case?

If you’re considering further nonsurgical care, ask how much time you have to weigh your options and which changes should prompt you to get back in touch. Someone whose walking is improving faces a different decision from someone who’s starting to trip because their foot is getting weaker.

When Should You Get Help Sooner?

New or worsening leg or foot weakness needs prompt medical evaluation. It can show up as your foot slapping the floor, your toes catching on the stairs, or difficulty lifting the front of your foot. Mention a loss of strength even if your pain has eased.

New difficulty urinating, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin or saddle area requires emergency evaluation.

Where Does DRX9000 Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Fit?

Lumbar DRX9000 spinal decompression uses a motorized table to apply controlled traction while your body is supported. Dr. Boelk considers it for selected patients after reviewing their history, physical examination, and relevant imaging. Depending on the findings, the next step may be rehabilitation, additional testing, or a specialist referral.

If a trial is appropriate, start with something you can measure. Maybe you can drive ten minutes before pain reaches your calf, or you have to get up halfway through dinner. Compare the same activity at reassessment and mention any changes in numbness or strength. That gives you and Dr. Boelk a practical basis for deciding whether to continue or change the plan.

Learn more about DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Therapy.

7 Reasons Mission Valley Patients Choose Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

1. More than 22 years of clinical experience. Dr. Boelk evaluates patients with disc-related neck and back symptoms, including people who have already tried other forms of care.

2. More than 100,000 spinal decompression sessions performed or overseen. That experience informs how the practice screens patients, selects treatment settings, and reassesses progress.

3. Specialized training in decompression and rehabilitation. Dr. Boelk is a Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor and Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist. He considers how your symptoms affect the activities you want to get back to.

4. Seven dedicated DRX9000 systems. The practice uses DRX9000 equipment exclusively for spinal decompression, with four lumbar and three cervical systems.

5. Firsthand experience with spinal injuries. Dr. Boelk fractured his lower back at 16 and later experienced lumbar disc herniations and sciatica. He has spent thousands of hours rehabilitating his own injuries and helping patients with theirs.

6. Experience training other doctors. He founded the Spinal Decompression Training Academy and teaches doctors about treatment protocols, equipment use, and patient selection.

7. A clear explanation of your options. If your findings point toward further testing, a different kind of care, or a surgical opinion, Dr. Boelk explains what he found and why it matters.

A Patient Who Appreciated a Straightforward Recommendation

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a large herniated disc mean I need surgery?

Size is one consideration. The clinician also looks at where the disc sits, which symptoms it may explain, and what the examination shows about strength and nerve function. Ask which of those findings is driving the recommendation.

Can I come in if I only have the written MRI report?

Yes. Bring the report and any notes from previous visits. If the imaging center can provide the images on a disc or through a portal, bring access to those as well.

What if I’ve already tried physical therapy or injections?

Tell Dr. Boelk what changed and how long it lasted. Being able to sit longer after an injection while still having trouble lifting your foot is useful information. It helps the clinician decide what needs a closer look.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

If you live in Mission Valley and have questions about a herniated disc, call 619-298-0800 to request a complimentary, no-charge, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC. The practice welcomes Mission Valley residents at its Kearny Mesa office.

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
Office phone 619-298-0800
Website www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español