Do I Need Surgery for Herniated Discs? – San Diego, CA
Your MRI says you have a herniated disc. Does that mean you need back surgery?
It’s a question patients ask after reading words like “disc extrusion” or “nerve root compression” on their report. They want to know whether they can get back to sleeping, walking, or working comfortably and how much time they have to make a decision.
Many people with a herniated disc in the lower back improve without surgery. The decision depends on whether the MRI findings match your symptoms and examination, how much those symptoms limit your day, and whether you’re improving or losing function. New or worsening weakness can make that decision more urgent.
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego in Kearny Mesa, Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC, helps patients understand their imaging and explore appropriate next steps. 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
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“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 wanted to know what else he could try and how he’d know whether it was helping. For him, progress meant bending and walking more comfortably. Those are good details to bring up before starting any course of care.
Start With a Complimentary, No-Obligation Consultation
Bring your MRI report and, if you have access to them, the images. If a surgeon has already recommended a procedure, bring those notes too. Dr. Boelk can discuss where your pain travels, whether you’ve noticed numbness or weakness, and what changed with the treatments you’ve already tried.
You can also ask how the clinic screens patients for DRX9000 nonsurgical spinal decompression and what a formal evaluation would involve.
The consultation is complimentary, no-charge, and carries no obligation. Physical examination, new imaging, and treatment are separate services.
Call 619-298-0800 to request your consultation.
What Does Your MRI Explain?
Say your MRI report describes disc changes at three levels, but what brought you in was pain down your right leg and trouble lifting the front of your foot. The clinician looks for a finding that fits the side of your symptoms, where they travel, and what the exam shows about strength, sensation, and reflexes. Some disc changes also appear on scans of people without back pain, so matching the findings to the exam matters.
A useful question to ask at your appointment is “Can you show me which finding fits my symptoms and what you found on the exam that supports it?”
When Should You Get a Surgical Opinion?
If leg pain is still interfering with sleep, walking, or work despite appropriate nonsurgical care, a surgical opinion may help you weigh your options. Ask what the procedure is expected to improve, how soon you need to decide, and what changes should prompt you to call sooner.
New or worsening leg or foot weakness needs prompt medical evaluation. Tell your clinician if your foot has started slapping the floor or you’re catching your toes on the stairs, even if the 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 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, exam findings, and relevant imaging. Some patients are better served by a different approach or a specialist referral.
If a trial is appropriate, talk about what you want to be able to do again. Can you walk the dog to the end of the block? Can you finish your drive without pain reaching your foot? Checking those same activities at reassessment helps you and Dr. Boelk decide whether to continue or change the plan.
Learn more about DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Therapy.
7 Reasons San Diego Patients Choose Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
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More than 22 years of clinical experience. Dr. Boelk evaluates disc-related neck and back conditions, including symptoms that have persisted after previous care.
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More than 100,000 decompression sessions performed or overseen. That experience informs patient screening, treatment settings, and reassessment.
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Training in decompression and rehabilitation. As a Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor and Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist, he considers how your symptoms affect the activities you want to return to.
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Seven dedicated DRX9000 systems. The clinic uses DRX9000 equipment exclusively for spinal decompression, with four lumbar and three cervical units.
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Personal experience with spinal injuries. Dr. Boelk fractured his lower back at 16 and later dealt with lumbar disc herniations and sciatica. He has spent thousands of hours rehabilitating his own injuries and helping patients with theirs.
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Experience training other doctors. He founded the Spinal Decompression Training Academy, where he teaches treatment protocols and patient selection.
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A straightforward recommendation. If your findings point toward another type of care, further testing, or a surgical evaluation, he’ll explain why.
A Patient Who Needed a Different Recommendation
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“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. Your clinician also looks at where the disc is pressing, whether that matches your symptoms, and whether strength or function is changing. Ask which finding is driving the recommendation.
Can I schedule a consultation if I only have the MRI report?
Yes. Bring the written report and any notes from previous visits. If you can get the images or an access link from the imaging center, bring those as well.
What if I’ve already tried physical therapy or injections?
Describe what changed and how long it lasted. If you could sit longer after an injection but still had trouble lifting your foot, mention both. That gives the clinician more information about what still needs to be evaluated.
A Personal Message From Dr. Boelk
“If you’ve been told you might need back surgery, bring your MRI and tell me what’s happening in your day. Maybe you can’t finish a walk with your dog, or you’ve started catching your foot on the stairs. Those details help me understand what needs to be examined. If nonsurgical care looks reasonable, we’ll talk through what it would involve and how we’d measure progress. If I think you need a surgical opinion, I’ll tell you why.”
— Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation
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
Call to request a complimentary, no-charge, no-obligation consultation. Physical examination, new imaging, and treatment are separate services.