Does Spinal Decompression Help a Bulging Disc? | Kearny Mesa, CA

If your MRI says you have a bulging disc, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an option.

But the MRI finding alone isn't enough.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has seen plenty of patients with disc bulges who are good candidates for spinal decompression. He's also seen patients with bulging discs where the bulge probably isn't the main reason they're hurting.

That's why he wants to see the actual MRI and compare it with what you're feeling.

Where is the bulge? Is it at L4-L5 or L5-S1? Is it affecting a nerve? Do you have back pain, sciatica, numbness or tingling? What happens when you sit, stand or walk?

Those details matter much more than simply seeing “disc bulge” written on a report.

Dr. Boelk has focused on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression for more than 22 years and has performed more than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments. His San Diego clinic has seven DRX9000 systems and is the largest known Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression clinic in Southern California.

He also trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I Have 3 Bulging Disc and One Is Touching the Nerve”

“It really helps keep me in my active life.”

“I travel from the UK to see Dr Boelk and his wonderful team . I have 3 bulging disc 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 review is a good example of what Dr. Boelk looks at beyond the MRI. She has three bulging discs, including one affecting a nerve, but what matters to her is staying active.

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Have an MRI Showing a Bulging Disc?

Bring it with you.

Dr. Boelk offers a No-Charge Consultation for patients who want to find out whether they're a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

If possible, bring the actual MRI images along with the written report.

Dr. Boelk will personally look at:

• Where the disc is bulging.

• Whether a nerve appears to be involved.

• Where your pain, numbness or tingling travels.

• Whether you're noticing weakness.

• How long you can sit, stand or walk before symptoms increase.

• What positions make you feel better or worse.

• What you've already tried.

• Whether your MRI findings actually match your symptoms.

• Whether there are reasons spinal decompression wouldn't be appropriate.

Then he'll tell you what he thinks.

If Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression makes sense, he'll explain why.

If it doesn't, he'll tell you that too.

There is no charge and no obligation to start treatment. You aren't coming in because you've already decided to do spinal decompression. You're coming in to find out whether Dr. Boelk believes it may be appropriate for your particular disc problem.

Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations while also treating his existing patients throughout the week. Because of that, only a limited number can be set aside in the schedule.

Call 619-298-0800 and ask about the next available No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

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A Bulging Disc Doesn't Always Hurt

This surprises a lot of people.

You can have a bulging disc on an MRI without having significant symptoms from it.

That's one reason Dr. Boelk doesn't like treating the MRI by itself.

Suppose an MRI shows disc bulges at L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Which one is causing the problem?

Maybe one is.

Maybe more than one is involved.

Maybe one of those findings has very little to do with what you're feeling.

Dr. Boelk compares the location of the disc problem with the patient's symptoms and examination findings before deciding what may need to be treated.

When a Bulging Disc Affects a Nerve

This is where patients may start getting symptoms away from the lower back.

A lumbar disc bulge can contribute to irritation of a nerve and produce pain into the buttock or leg. Depending on the nerve involved, there may also be numbness, tingling or weakness.

Some patients barely have any back pain at all.

They'll come in because their calf burns when they walk or because part of the foot has gone numb.

Others can't sit for more than 20 minutes without pain running down the leg.

That's why “my back doesn't really hurt” doesn't necessarily rule out a lumbar disc problem.

Dr. Boelk wants to know exactly where the symptoms travel and then see whether that pattern makes sense with the MRI.

What Is the DRX9000 Actually Doing?

The DRX9000 is used to provide controlled Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

During treatment, the spine is placed under carefully controlled distraction. The goal is to reduce mechanical stress at the involved spinal segment and create a more favorable environment around the injured disc and surrounding structures.

It isn't simply traction.

And it isn't the same thing as hanging upside down on an inversion table.

Dr. Boelk has spent more than two decades refining how spinal decompression is used for different types of disc problems.

The office uses the DRX9000 exclusively and has seven systems.

For Dr. Boelk, the machine is only one part of the treatment. Selecting the right patient and determining how the patient should be treated are just as important.

Can Spinal Decompression Push a Bulging Disc Back Into Place?

Not exactly.

Dr. Boelk doesn't like describing spinal decompression as a machine that simply “puts the disc back in.”

That's too simplistic.

A spinal disc is living tissue. A disc bulge isn't something that gets pushed back into position like moving a piece of furniture.

The purpose of decompression is to change the mechanical environment around the involved segment and reduce stress on the disc and surrounding structures.

Then Dr. Boelk watches what happens clinically.

Can you sit longer?

Can you walk farther?

Is the leg pain decreasing?

Is the numbness less frequent?

Are you sleeping better?

Can you get your shoes on again without struggling?

Are you returning to exercise?

That's how progress becomes meaningful.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I Lost Mobility and Had Difficulty Even Putting Shoes On”

“I can walk, run and exercise without any pain.”

“I have been seeing Dr. Boelk since November for my back pain due to disc herniation. I lost mobility and had difficulty even putting shoes on. The pain was interfering with my everyday lifestyle. After reviewing the X-ray results, we agreed upon a treatment plan. Agreeing to this treatment plan was the best choice I've made for my back pain. The spinal decompression has relieved all the pain I felt in my lower back. I can walk, run and exercise without any pain and I'm able to get back in the gym and continue my daily routines. The office staff are very friendly and caring as well. I highly recommend Dr. Boelk's office to anyone seeking exceptional care.”

— Paul C

Paul described something Dr. Boelk hears frequently from disc patients. The problem wasn't just pain. He had lost mobility and even putting on his shoes had become difficult.

Getting back to normal activity is a much more useful goal than simply chasing a pain number.

Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc

Patients often use the terms interchangeably.

A bulging disc generally involves a broader extension of the disc beyond its normal boundary. A herniation is usually a more focal displacement of disc material.

But don't get too caught up in the terminology.

Dr. Boelk has seen small-looking disc problems cause severe sciatica and larger-looking abnormalities cause surprisingly few symptoms.

Where the disc problem is located and whether it's affecting a nerve can be more important than how dramatic the MRI report sounds.

Who Does Dr. Boelk Consider for Spinal Decompression?

He commonly evaluates patients with:

• Lumbar disc bulges.

• Lumbar disc herniations.

• L4-L5 disc injuries.

• L5-S1 disc injuries.

• Degenerative disc disease.

• Disc-related sciatica.

• Foraminal narrowing.

• Selected cases of spinal stenosis.

He also sees patients who have already tried physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, medication or injections without getting the improvement they hoped for.

But having tried other treatments doesn't automatically make you a candidate either.

Dr. Boelk still needs to look at your particular case.

There Are Patients Dr. Boelk Will Not Treat

This is important.

Spinal decompression isn't appropriate for everyone.

An unhealed spinal fracture, significant osteoporosis, unstable spondylolisthesis, certain malignancies and some situations involving surgical hardware can make decompression inappropriate. Lumbar decompression is also contraindicated during pregnancy.

There are other medical and neurological factors Dr. Boelk considers as well.

Progressive weakness needs to be evaluated carefully.

New bowel or bladder dysfunction, difficulty initiating or controlling urination, or numbness involving the groin, inner thighs or saddle region requires prompt medical attention.

Those aren't symptoms to wait on while trying another conservative treatment.

★ “He Could Not Treat Me”

“He looked at my MRI images, explained what he saw and potential routes for recovery.”

“I decided to see Dr. Boelk after a pretty gnarly motocoss 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 to seek an additional opinion form another neurosurgeon. My experience was that he really cares and he's not someone who would take advantage of the situation someone's in (unlike some other doctors). I will definitely be back and already recommended him to others as well! Thank you Dr. Boelk!”

— Jan H., San Marcos, CA

Jan's case involved an unhealed fracture, so Dr. Boelk did not treat him. He also recommended another neurosurgical opinion.

That's part of doing spinal decompression correctly.

Knowing who not to treat matters just as much as knowing who may benefit.

More Than 22 Years Focused on Spinal Decompression

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has performed more than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments during more than 22 years in practice.

His professional background includes:

• Doctor of Chiropractic

• 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's interest in spinal injuries is also personal. He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica himself.

If Your MRI Says “Bulging Disc,” Find Out Whether It Actually Matters

Don't panic because you saw the words bulging disc on your MRI.

But don't ignore persistent symptoms either.

If your leg is hurting, your foot is going numb, you can't sit comfortably or you're slowly giving up activities because of your back, bring the MRI in.

Let Dr. Boelk look at the actual images and compare them with what you're experiencing.

Then find out whether he believes Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression makes sense.

There is no charge and no obligation to begin treatment. The consultation is personally performed by Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

Because Dr. Boelk performs these consultations himself while continuing to treat his existing patients, only a limited number can be set aside in the clinic schedule.

Call 619-298-0800 and ask about the next available No-Charge Consultation.

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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