Does Spinal Decompression Help a Bulging Disc? | La Jolla, CA

Yes, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may help certain patients with a bulging disc.

But Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC doesn't recommend spinal decompression simply because an MRI report says “disc bulge.”

He wants to know where the bulge is, whether it's affecting a nerve and, most importantly, whether it makes sense with the symptoms you're having.

Maybe your back isn't even the biggest problem. Your buttock hurts. Your leg burns when you stand. Your foot goes numb when you walk. Or sitting through a flight or a long dinner has become miserable.

Other patients aren't in terrible pain, but they've gradually stopped doing things. They don't surf as much. They've cut back on golf. They aren't lifting anymore. They avoid long drives because they know how their back or leg will feel afterward.

That's the part Dr. Boelk wants to understand.

He 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.

Dr. Boelk also trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It Really Helps Keep Me in My Active Life”

“I have 3 bulging disc and one is touching the nerve.”

“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 gets right to the point. She has three bulging discs, including one affecting a nerve, and staying active is important to her.

That's usually a better conversation to have than simply asking whether an MRI still shows a disc bulge.

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Bring Your MRI and Let Dr. Boelk Look at the Disc

If your MRI shows a bulging disc and you're wondering whether spinal decompression could help, Dr. Boelk offers a No-Charge Consultation.

Bring the actual MRI images if you have them.

During the consultation, Dr. Boelk will personally go through your case and look at things such as:

• Which disc is involved.

• Where the disc is bulging.

• Whether a nerve appears to be affected.

• Where your pain, numbness or tingling travels.

• Whether you're noticing any weakness.

• What happens when you sit, stand, bend or walk.

• What activities you've had to stop or cut back on.

• What treatment you've already tried.

• Whether your MRI findings match what you're feeling.

• Whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression makes sense for you.

No MRI yet? That's okay.

You can still come in, explain what's going on and discuss whether further examination or imaging may be appropriate.

You aren't coming in because you've already decided to start spinal decompression.

You're coming in to find out whether Dr. Boelk believes you're a candidate.

There is no charge and no obligation to begin treatment.

Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations while also treating his existing patients throughout the week. Because of the time involved, 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 on an MRI Doesn't Necessarily Mean You Have a Bad Back

This is something Dr. Boelk explains frequently.

MRIs can show disc bulges and other degenerative changes in people who aren't having significant symptoms.

So if your MRI shows a bulging disc, don't assume your spine is falling apart.

At the same time, don't ignore a finding that lines up with what you're experiencing.

Suppose the MRI shows a disc problem at L4-L5 and you have pain or numbness traveling in a pattern that makes sense for the nerve involved.

That's much more useful information.

Dr. Boelk wants the MRI and the patient to tell the same story.

What Is Spinal Decompression Trying to Do?

At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Boelk uses the DRX9000 exclusively.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression applies controlled distraction to the spine. The goal is to reduce mechanical stress at the involved spinal segment and create a more favorable environment around the disc and surrounding structures.

It's different from simply stretching your back.

It's also different from hanging from a pull-up bar or using an inversion table.

The machine matters, but after more than 22 years doing this, Dr. Boelk believes patient selection and the way the treatment is applied matter just as much.

Not every bulging disc needs the same approach.

And not every bulging disc needs treatment at all.

Can Decompression Actually Make a Bulging Disc Smaller?

Patients ask this all the time.

Usually what they really want to know is, “Can this thing heal?”

Dr. Boelk is careful about promising what will happen to a disc on a future MRI.

The purpose of treatment isn't to chase a millimeter measurement on an imaging report.

The more useful question is whether you're improving.

Is the sciatica traveling less distance down the leg?

Can you sit longer?

Can you walk farther?

Are you sleeping without constantly changing positions?

Can you exercise again?

Can you get through a round of golf?

Can you surf and get out of the water without your back or leg flaring up?

Those are changes you can actually use.

What If the Bulging Disc Is Touching a Nerve?

This is where a disc problem can become much more noticeable.

When a lumbar disc affects a nerve, you may have symptoms extending into the buttock, thigh, calf or foot.

There may be pain, burning, tingling or numbness.

Sometimes there's weakness.

And sometimes there's surprisingly little back pain.

Dr. Boelk has treated many patients who initially say, “My back really doesn't hurt. It's my leg.”

That can still be coming from the lumbar spine.

This is one reason he asks exactly where the symptoms travel and compares that pattern with the MRI.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I Could Get Back to Surf, Jiu Jitsu and Work”

“After 36 sessions I felt I was back to normal.”

“When I first came here I was suffering from sciatica pain for several months non stop. I tried many different non invasive treatments, pain killers but relief was just temporary. I heard about Dr. Boelk on social media and after reading other people testimonials about him I decided to try. It felt better since my first session. After 12 I felt I was improving a lot but still had room to get better so we decided trying 12 more. After 36 sessions I felt I was back to normal. I could get back to surf, jiu jitsu and work after 6 months away. Doctor helped me through the whole process, leaving me free to decide the next step and being honest about expectations. I totally recommend for all my friends that suffer from sciatica pain. It’s worth 100%.”

— Yuri Fresia

Yuri's review is another good example of why Dr. Boelk pays attention to function. He had been away from surfing, jiu jitsu and work for six months. Those were meaningful things for him to get back.

Do You Have to Stop Exercising Because You Have a Bulging Disc?

Not necessarily.

This is where patients can get into trouble after reading their MRI.

They see “bulging disc” and become afraid to move.

Dr. Boelk generally doesn't want patients becoming unnecessarily fearful of their backs.

At the same time, continuing to repeatedly aggravate a symptomatic disc isn't a great plan either.

If a particular exercise consistently sends pain farther down the leg or increases numbness or neurological symptoms, that deserves attention.

Sometimes an activity needs to be temporarily modified rather than eliminated forever.

The goal is to get you back to doing more, not teach you to spend the rest of your life protecting your back.

How Does Dr. Boelk Decide Whether Decompression Is Working?

Pain is part of it, but Dr. Boelk doesn't only use a 1-to-10 pain scale.

He watches how the symptoms behave.

A patient may start with pain traveling all the way into the foot and later notice that it doesn't travel as far down the leg.

Someone who could only walk 10 minutes may be walking 30.

Another patient starts sleeping through the night again.

Someone else gets back in the gym.

Those functional changes matter.

Dr. Boelk also reevaluates patients during care rather than assuming that because they started spinal decompression they should simply keep doing it indefinitely.

If the patient isn't progressing the way he expects, he wants to know why.

Who May Be a Candidate?

Dr. Boelk commonly evaluates patients with:

• Lumbar disc bulges.

• Lumbar disc herniations.

• L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc injuries.

• Degenerative disc disease.

• Disc-related sciatica.

• Foraminal narrowing.

• Selected cases of spinal stenosis.

• Certain cases of chronic disc-related lower-back pain.

But the diagnosis is only one part of determining candidacy.

Previous surgery, hardware, spinal stability, bone health, neurological findings and other medical factors can change the decision.

Some Patients Should Not Have Spinal Decompression

This is an important part of the consultation.

Dr. Boelk does not accept everyone who wants treatment.

An unhealed spinal fracture, significant osteoporosis, unstable spondylolisthesis, certain malignancies and some cases involving surgical hardware may make spinal decompression inappropriate. Pregnancy is also a contraindication for lumbar decompression.

Progressive neurological 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 evaluation.

Those symptoms are not something to wait on while trying another conservative treatment.

★ “We Both Determined That Surgery Was My Only Option”

“After a honest and forthright conversation...”

“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

Jeff came from Tucson hoping there might be another option. After reviewing his situation, he and Dr. Boelk determined that surgery was appropriate.

That's why the consultation comes before treatment.

Sometimes Dr. Boelk recommends spinal decompression.

Sometimes he doesn't.

More Than 22 Years Focused on Non-Surgical 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 also understands spinal injuries personally. He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica himself.

Have a Bulging Disc and Want to Stay Active?

Don't let two words on an MRI report decide what you can and can't do for the rest of your life.

Bring the MRI in.

Let Dr. Boelk look at the actual images and compare them with your symptoms.

If he believes Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may help, he'll explain why.

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

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

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

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

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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