Do I Need Surgery for a Herniated Disc? – La Jolla, CA

What Should You Do After an MRI Shows a Herniated Disc?

An MRI diagnosis of a herniated disc can make surgery feel inevitable.

That is especially true when the disc is pressing on a nerve and causing severe pain, sciatica, arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

But a herniated disc does not automatically mean you need an operation.

Many disc injuries can be treated without surgery when the spine is stable and there are no signs of a neurological emergency. The right decision depends on the location and severity of the injury, which nerve is affected, how the symptoms are progressing, and whether the patient can be treated safely.

The MRI is important, but the MRI report alone should not make the entire decision.

Three Bulging Discs and One Touching a Nerve

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

I have three bulging discs, 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’s experience is her own, and another patient may respond differently. Her story shows that disc injuries affecting a nerve do not always require surgery, particularly when the patient is properly evaluated and matched with the right treatment.

Find Out Whether You Have a Non-Surgical Option

If you have been diagnosed with a bulging, herniated, protruding, or extruded disc, call 619-298-0800 to schedule a no-charge, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC.

Bring your MRI images if available. Dr. Boelk will review your condition and tell you honestly whether you appear to be a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression or whether another direction makes more sense.

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule. Our answering service is available 24/7. Hablamos Español.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

The spinal discs sit between the vertebrae and act as cushions. They absorb force while allowing the spine to bend and move.

A disc has a firm outer layer surrounding a softer center. When the outer portion becomes damaged, disc material can begin extending outward.

Depending on its appearance, an MRI may describe the injury as:

• A disc bulge

• A protrusion

• A herniation

• An extrusion

These terms describe different appearances and degrees of disc displacement. They do not automatically determine whether surgery is required.

A disc injury becomes more concerning when it irritates a nearby spinal nerve. A lumbar disc problem may cause sciatica or symptoms in the leg and foot. A cervical disc problem may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers.

When Non-Surgical Treatment May Be Appropriate

Many patients can consider non-surgical treatment when the spine is stable and the neurological findings are not rapidly worsening.

This may include people who:

• Have disc-related back or neck pain

• Have sciatica or radiating arm pain

• Experience numbness or tingling that is not rapidly progressing

• Have already tried medication, physical therapy, or injections

• Have been told surgery is an option but not an emergency

• Want to explore a reasonable non-surgical approach first

The size of the herniation is only part of the picture.

Dr. Boelk also considers where the disc material is located, which nerve is affected, whether the symptoms match the MRI, how long the problem has been present, and whether the spine is stable.

When Surgery Should Not Be Delayed

There are situations in which surgical evaluation may be necessary.

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop:

• New loss of bladder or bowel control

• Numbness in the groin or saddle region

• Rapidly progressing weakness

• Sudden loss of coordination

• Severe symptoms following significant trauma

Surgery may also be the right decision when the spine is unstable, the condition cannot be safely treated with decompression, or a reasonable course of non-surgical treatment has failed.

The goal is not to avoid surgery at any cost. The goal is to avoid unnecessary surgery while recognizing when an operation may truly be needed.

How Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression May Help

A herniated disc can create a combination of pressure and inflammation around a spinal nerve.

Non-surgical spinal decompression uses controlled pulling and releasing cycles to reduce pressure at a targeted area of the spine. The treatment is adjusted according to the disc level involved, the patient’s symptoms, imaging, body type, and response.

Dr. Boelk uses DRX9000 systems specifically configured for lumbar and cervical treatment. His San Diego office has four lumbar and three cervical DRX9000 machines.

The goal is to improve the environment surrounding the damaged disc and irritated nerve. As symptoms settle, appropriate rehabilitation can help rebuild strength and spinal stability.

Spinal decompression is not the right treatment for every herniated disc. Accurate patient selection, treatment settings, frequency, and rehabilitation all matter.

Why Dr. Boelk Reviews the MRI Images Personally

An MRI report may list several disc bulges or degenerative findings. Not every abnormality is necessarily causing symptoms.

Dr. Boelk reviews the actual images and compares them with:

• The location and pattern of the pain

• Numbness or tingling

• Muscle weakness

• Reflex changes

• Orthopedic and neurological findings

• Previous treatment

• Previous spinal surgery

• Weight-bearing alignment

• Possible spinal instability

When appropriate, weight-bearing and flexion-extension X-rays may provide additional information about how the spine behaves while standing and moving.

This helps determine whether the disc injury matches the symptoms and whether decompression can be performed safely.

Not Every Patient Is Ready for Decompression

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“I decided to see Dr. Boelk after a pretty gnarly motocross neck injury. At the hospital I was at, I felt I was getting pressured into a surgery, which I refused.

A friend of a friend referred him after Dr. Boelk successfully treated his broken back.

Dr. Boelk is a compassionate individual who truly cares about his patients. He looked at my MRI images, explained what he saw and potential routes for recovery.

He could not treat me, as I have to wait until the fracture in my neck heals, but the level of professionalism, compassion, caring and knowledge displayed by him was exceptional.

He also recommended seeking an additional opinion from another neurosurgeon. My experience was that he really cares and he's not someone who would take advantage of the situation someone's in.

I will definitely be back and already recommended him to others as well! Thank you, Dr. Boelk!”

— Jan H., San Marcos, CA

Dr. Boelk did not recommend treatment while Jan’s fracture was still healing. His experience shows why the safest decision is not always to begin treatment immediately.

A patient may not qualify because of instability, surgical hardware at the intended treatment level, an unhealed fracture, pregnancy when lumbar treatment is being considered, or another condition that makes decompression inappropriate.

If Dr. Boelk does not believe he can help, he will say so.

Why Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC

Dr. Boelk’s practice is focused on spinal decompression, herniated discs, sciatica, radiating arm pain, and difficult neck and back conditions.

His background includes:

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist

• More than 21 years of clinical experience

• Over 100,000 spinal decompression treatments performed

• Founder of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

• Trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques

• Founding Member of the American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member of the International Disc Education Association

• California-licensed doctor with X-ray radiography certification

• Seven DRX9000 systems: four lumbar and three cervical

Dr. Boelk has spent thousands of hours rehabilitating his own neck and lower-back injuries. That personal experience has influenced how he combines decompression with rehabilitation and spinal-stability training.

Patients seek his help from throughout California, other states, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Understand Your Options Before Committing to Surgery

If surgery has been recommended but your condition is not an emergency, it is reasonable to find out whether a non-surgical option may still be available.

A consultation does not commit you to treatment. It gives you the opportunity to have your condition reviewed by a doctor who has focused on spinal decompression and disc injuries for more than two decades.

Schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation

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

Call: 619-298-0800
Website: www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
24/7 Answering Service
Hablamos Español

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule a no-charge, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC. Bring your MRI if available and find out whether non-surgical spinal decompression may be a reasonable option before moving forward with surgery.