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

A bulging disc can be frustrating because you may feel pretty good for a while and then do something completely normal—sit too long, work out, take a long drive, bend over repeatedly—and the back or leg pain comes right back.

If that's happening, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be worth looking into.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has been treating disc problems with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression for more than 22 years and has performed more than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments.

He sees a lot of patients with bulging discs.

But he doesn't treat someone simply because an MRI says they have one.

Dr. Boelk wants to see where the disc is bulging, whether a nerve is involved and whether that finding actually fits what you're experiencing.

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.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Spinal Decompression Is the Only Way That Gives Me Relief All the Way to My Feet”

“Dr Boelk is highly knowledgeable and has made a difference in my life.”

“Dr Boelk is highly knowledgeable and has made a difference in my life.
I have a degenerative bone issue in my lower back. Spinal decompression is the only way that gives me relief all the way to my feet. I highly recommend
the Spinal Decompression center.”

— Dee M., Peoria, AZ

Dee's symptoms extended all the way into her feet. That's something Dr. Boelk pays close attention to because symptoms away from the lower back can be an important part of understanding whether a spinal nerve is involved.

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If You Have an MRI, Bring It With You

If you've been told you have a bulging disc and want to know whether spinal decompression could help, Dr. Boelk offers a No-Charge Consultation.

Bring the actual MRI images if you have them, along with the report.

Dr. Boelk will personally go through the case with you and look at:

• Which disc is involved.

• Where the disc is bulging.

• Whether a nerve appears to be affected.

• Where your pain, numbness or tingling travels.

• Whether there is weakness.

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

• What keeps causing the problem to flare.

• What you've already tried.

• Whether your MRI actually matches your symptoms.

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

You don't need to decide beforehand that you want treatment.

That's not the purpose of the consultation.

You're coming in to find out whether Dr. Boelk believes you're a candidate and what he thinks makes sense next.

There is no charge and no obligation to begin treatment.

Dr. Boelk performs these consultations personally while also treating his existing patients throughout the week, so 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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Why Does My Bulging Disc Keep Flaring Up?

This is something Dr. Boelk hears all the time.

A patient starts feeling better and decides to get back to normal.

They go to the gym.

They work in the yard.

They sit in the car for several hours.

They play golf.

They spend a weekend doing things around the house.

Then they're hurting again.

That doesn't necessarily mean you've seriously reinjured the disc every time the symptoms flare.

But it does tell Dr. Boelk that the area may still be sensitive to certain loads, positions or activities.

He wants to know what repeatedly brings the symptoms on and, just as importantly, what settles them down.

What Is Spinal Decompression Doing for a Bulging Disc?

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego uses the DRX9000 exclusively.

The DRX9000 provides controlled Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. 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.

Dr. Boelk doesn't describe it as simply stretching someone's back.

And he doesn't tell patients that the machine magically pushes a disc back into place.

The treatment is more controlled than that.

After more than 22 years doing spinal decompression, Dr. Boelk believes choosing the right patient and treating the appropriate spinal level are just as important as the equipment itself.

Does the Bulging Disc Have to Be Causing Back Pain?

No.

Some patients with lumbar disc problems have very little lower-back pain.

Their main complaint may be pain down one leg.

Or the calf starts burning after they've been standing for 10 minutes.

Maybe part of the foot is numb.

Sometimes sitting is the problem. Other patients feel pretty good sitting and develop symptoms when they stand or walk.

That's why Dr. Boelk asks where the symptoms travel.

If a disc bulge is affecting a nerve, the problem may be felt far away from the actual disc.

Is a Bulging Disc the Same as a Herniated Disc?

Not exactly.

A disc bulge generally involves a broader extension of the disc beyond its normal boundary, while a herniation tends to involve a more focal displacement of disc material.

But patients can get too focused on the terminology.

Dr. Boelk has seen small-looking disc problems cause significant symptoms because of where they're located.

He's also seen MRIs that look pretty rough in patients who are functioning surprisingly well.

The MRI matters.

But it has to make sense with the patient.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I Can Do Things Now With Little to No Limitations”

“I have suffered from leg numbness and low back pain for 4 years.”

“Hi my name is Rosa Algravez. I have suffered from leg numbness and low back pain for 4 years. I haven’t been able to do groceries or even take baths without pain. I looked for relief with various doctors with no luck. I have done treatments ranging from chiropractic to acupuncture. My husband found Dr. Boelk in the newspaper and we decided since we had tried everything else that we were going to give this a try. After my first few treatments, I feel as though I have returned to 100%. Life for me is completely different.

My husband and I have returned to enjoying life. We travel 300+ miles everyday from Calexico. I can do things now with little to no limitations. The staff makes you feel welcomed and it’s a very family environment. The payments are easy and I would recommend this to anyone suffering with low back pain. Thank You”

— Rosa Algravez, Age 58, Calexico, CA

Rosa had been dealing with leg numbness and lower-back pain for four years. Even normal things such as grocery shopping and taking a bath had become difficult.

That's why Dr. Boelk asks patients what they can actually do rather than only asking for a pain number.

How Do You Know If Spinal Decompression Is Helping?

Dr. Boelk watches for changes in function and in the way symptoms behave.

If your pain used to travel into your foot and now it stops higher in the leg, that's something he wants to know.

If standing for 10 minutes used to cause numbness and now you can stand for 30, that's useful.

If you're sleeping better, walking farther or gradually returning to activities you had stopped doing, those changes matter.

The opposite matters too.

If a patient isn't making the kind of progress Dr. Boelk expects, he doesn't want to simply keep repeating treatment without asking why.

Who May Be a Candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?

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.

Some patients come in before they've tried much treatment.

Others have already been through physical therapy, chiropractic care, medication or injections.

Either way, the decision comes down to the individual patient.

Not Every Bulging Disc Should Be Treated With Decompression

There are patients Dr. Boelk will not accept for treatment.

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

Progressive neurological weakness also needs to be taken seriously.

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 shouldn't wait for a routine spinal decompression consultation.

★ “I'm Glad I Took the Time to Meet With Him”

“It was very informative all around.”

“Very nice Dr. and Honest ! I would definitely recommend anyone who hasn't had metal put in there back in a surgery to go to him and give his program a shot. I believe it would definitely help. Just not in my personal case. As I have a lot of hardware in my back. But I'm glad I took the time to meet with him. It was very informative all around.”

— Toni W., Lake Elsinore, CA

Toni wasn't an appropriate candidate because of the amount of hardware in her back. She still felt coming in and having Dr. Boelk evaluate her situation was worthwhile.

That's what the No-Charge Consultation is for.

You don't have to know the answer before you come in.

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 has his own history with spinal injury. He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica.

If Your Bulging Disc Keeps Flaring Up

If you're repeatedly feeling better and then ending up right back where you started, it may be time to look more closely at what's going on.

Bring your MRI if you have one.

Let Dr. Boelk look at the actual disc, compare the imaging with your symptoms and go through what keeps setting the problem off.

Then find out whether he believes Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an option.

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 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.

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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