Do I Really Need Back Surgery? – San Diego, CA
If you have been told you may need back surgery for:
- sciatica
- a herniated disc
- degenerative disc disease
- severe low back pain
- numbness or tingling
- burning leg pain
you are probably asking yourself one very important question:
“Do I REALLY need surgery?”
The truth is:
some people absolutely do.
But many people have never undergone a proper evaluation focused specifically on:
- disc pressure
- nerve irritation
- spinal decompression candidacy
- movement dysfunction
- spinal stability
- conservative treatment alternatives
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC specializes in helping patients determine whether they may be candidates for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) before undergoing surgery.
For nearly 20 years, Dr. Boelk has focused extensively on disc-related conditions and has personally performed over 100,000 decompression treatments utilizing FDA-cleared DRX9000 technology.
No-Charge Consultation – San Diego, CA
If you are suffering from:
- severe sciatica
- disc herniation
- chronic low back pain
- degenerative disc disease
- burning leg pain
- numbness or tingling
- pain while standing or walking
the first step is determining whether you may be a candidate for treatment.
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 Office: 619-298-0800
📱 Call/Text: 619-884-8298
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
✔ No-charge consultation available
✔ 24/7 answering service
✔ Hablamos Español
Why Many Patients Question Surgery
Many patients who come to our office have already:
- tried physical therapy
- tried chiropractic
- tried injections
- tried medications
- tried massage therapy
- tried acupuncture
- seen orthopedic surgeons
- seen neurosurgeons
Many are frustrated because despite all of that, they still:
- cannot sit comfortably
- cannot sleep
- cannot walk normally
- cannot work out
- cannot surf
- cannot golf
- cannot play with their children
- cannot get through the day without pain
Some have already been told surgery may be their “next step.”
Real Patient Experience – One Step Before Surgery
“For the first time in 10 years, I am totally pain free. My sciatica is gone and I have no more back pain! I've tried other chiropractic procedures, acupuncture, pain killing drugs, and other type therapies that just did not work. I was one step before back surgery, until I discovered Dr. Boelk's therapy and his procedure, and it's a miracle! My office visits were always so relaxing and comfortable, there was never any pain involved with the therapy. Dr. Boelk and Patty are so welcoming and warm and ready to explain everything that's going on. They both take such good care of you! Thank you Dr. Boelk and Patty!”
— Toni H., San Diego, CA
Summary: After struggling with sciatica and back pain for over 10 years and failing multiple conservative treatments, Toni was preparing for back surgery before beginning treatment with Dr. Boelk. She later reported becoming completely pain free and avoiding surgery altogether.
Do All Herniated Discs Need Surgery?
Absolutely not.
Many disc injuries may respond very well to conservative treatment when:
- the patient is properly evaluated
- the treatment is individualized
- spinal stability is addressed
- movement dysfunction is corrected
- pressure on irritated discs and nerves is reduced
That said:
some patients absolutely DO require surgery.
At our office, honesty matters tremendously.
If Dr. Boelk believes:
- surgery is necessary
- additional imaging is needed
- another specialist is appropriate
- decompression is unlikely to help
he will tell you directly.
Real Patient Experience – Honest 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
Summary: Jeff traveled from Arizona hoping to avoid surgery, but after a detailed evaluation Dr. Boelk honestly determined he was not an appropriate candidate for decompression treatment and recommended surgery instead.
What Often Causes Severe Sciatica & Low Back Pain?
Many severe cases of:
- burning leg pain
- numbness
- tingling
- sciatica
- pain while sitting
- pain driving
- low back locking
- weakness in the leg
may involve:
- disc bulges
- disc herniations
- degenerative disc disease
- annular tears
- nerve irritation
- spinal instability
The problem is that many patients spend months or years treating only muscles and joints while the disc and nerve component may never be properly addressed.
What Makes Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Different?
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Boelk exclusively utilizes FDA-cleared DRX9000 spinal decompression systems.
This matters because not all spinal decompression systems:
- analyze the same
- pull the same
- customize the same
- or achieve the same treatment precision
Treatment protocols are customized based on:
- MRI findings
- disc level involvement
- symptom location
- angle of pull
- patient positioning
- treatment duration
- patient tolerance
- spinal stability findings
We currently utilize:
- Four lumbar DRX9000 decompression units
- Three cervical DRX9000 decompression units
making our office one of the largest spinal decompression facilities in California.
Real Patient Experience – Severe Sciatica & Failed Treatments
“Dr. Boelk has been a life saver. Have had constant lower back and sciatica pain for over 8 plus months, no pills helped and on track for multiple shots but with the treatment given I have found relief and down to zero pain. As a firefighter that relies on his body to help others and the results I have experienced it's totally worth looking into what Dr. Boelk can do for you.”
— Joshua T., San Diego, CA
Summary: Joshua suffered from severe sciatica for over eight months, failed medications, and was progressing toward injections before undergoing treatment with Dr. Boelk. After treatment, he reported complete pain relief and was able to continue functioning as a firefighter.
Why Active Rehabilitation Matters
One of the biggest misconceptions about spinal decompression is that passive treatment alone fixes everything.
While reducing disc pressure may be critical, long-term improvement often requires:
- core stabilization
- hip mobility
- posture correction
- strengthening weak areas
- movement retraining
- spinal stabilization
That is why Dr. Boelk combines spinal decompression treatment with active rehabilitation strategies designed to support long-term results.
Real Patient Experience – Failed Other Decompression Clinics
“I have had a wonderful experience with Dr. Boelk and his staff at the Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Center of San Diego. They have a great protocol and the best decompression machines. I’ve been to other places with sub par machines and didn’t get any benefit. Dr. Boelk is very attentive and cares about each person, you can see it in how he interacts with everyone. Been undergoing treatment for about 12 sessions now and the sciatica is gone and I’m almost back to normal, didn’t think it would ever heal but even after the first session I had tremendous relief and could sleep mostly pain free for the first time in months. Definitely worth the investment! Thank you!”
— Michael Langsdale, San Diego, CA
Summary: Michael previously underwent decompression treatment elsewhere using lower-quality equipment without meaningful results. After beginning DRX9000 treatment with Dr. Boelk, he experienced major relief from sciatica and significant improvements in sleep and daily function.
Patients Travel From Out of State Seeking Alternatives to Surgery
Today, patients travel from throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, Mexico, and beyond seeking Dr. Boelk’s expertise.
Real Patient Experience – Traveling From Las Vegas to Avoid Surgery
“My name is Ira Smith. I live in Las Vegas and found out about Dr. Boelk’s program here in San Diego and decided to start treatments with him. I’ve had lower back problems since I was very young. I had aggravated my lower back pretty bad again and usually I could do exercises, chiropractic treatment, rest and this time those things would no longer relieve my pain. I would get the sciatic pain shooting down into my leg and foot and would be pretty bad.
I found out thru my MRI’s that Dr. Boelk went over with me that I had 5 protruding discs. I did not want to get surgery as I have heard and seen that they don’t always work very well at all. I am 2/3 of the way done with Dr. Boelk’s program and I have zero pain. I pretty much go thru my activities with no pain. As I follow the program it has been absolutely fantastic! I have been thru physical therapy, chiropractic programs, I went to the hospital and they told me I have 1 bad disc, but I found out I had 4 more bad discs as well. The treatment has relieved the pain and is not painful at all. This can be the starting point for anyone with back pain to get their life back.
This is the place to start. If your skeptical, what’s your health worth? The cost of this has been way less than the cost of all my other therapies that I have gone thru. This is less money than all those things, less pain and gives you a great quality of life. This is new and modern and it fixes the problem. Use Dr. Boelk’s program to change your life and it will change your life! This is the place to start. -Thank You”
— Ira Smith, Age 49, Las Vegas, Nevada
Summary: After years of chronic low back pain, multiple protruding discs, failed conservative treatment, and severe sciatica, Ira traveled from Las Vegas seeking an alternative to surgery and reported complete pain relief during treatment.
Schedule a No-Charge Consultation – San Diego, CA
Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC is:
- A Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
- A Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
- Founder of the Spinal Decompression Training Academy
- Founding Member of the American Spinal Decompression Society
- A doctor who has personally performed over 100,000 decompression treatments
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 Office: 619-298-0800
📱 Call/Text: 619-884-8298
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
✔ No-charge consultation available
✔ 24/7 answering service
✔ Hablamos Español
Please note:
Regardless of referral source — including orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, pain management doctors, attorneys, or other healthcare providers — all new patients are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure Dr. Boelk has adequate time to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment.