Does Spinal Decompression Help a Herniated Disc? | Chula Vista, CA

If you've been told you have a herniated disc, one of the first things to figure out is whether the disc is actually responsible for what you're feeling.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC sees this all the time. Someone comes in with an MRI report showing an L4-L5 or L5-S1 herniation, but the report is only part of the story. He wants to know where the pain goes, whether the leg or foot is numb, what happens when you sit or walk, and whether you're losing any strength.

Once he understands that, he can start deciding whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression makes sense.

Dr. Boelk has been treating disc injuries with spinal decompression for more than 22 years and has performed more than 100,000 treatments. His 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”

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

“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 travels from the United Kingdom for care.

Most of Dr. Boelk's patients obviously don't travel that far, but people do come to the clinic from outside San Diego because spinal decompression has been such a large part of his practice for more than two decades.

For someone in Chula Vista, the office is located right off Murphy Canyon Road in central San Diego.

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Already Have an MRI? Bring It With You. The Consultation Is No Charge.

This can save a lot of guessing.

Dr. Boelk would rather look at your actual MRI than have you try to explain what you remember from the report.

Maybe it says herniation.

Maybe protrusion.

Maybe extrusion.

Maybe it mentions the L5 or S1 nerve root.

Bring it in.

During the No-Charge Consultation, Dr. Boelk will personally sit down with you and go through what's happening. He'll want to know where the symptoms started, where they're going now, what positions bother you, how long you can sit or walk, and what you've already tried.

He'll also look at things such as:

• The level and location of the herniation.

• Whether a nerve appears to be affected.

• Whether the MRI fits the symptoms you're describing.

• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot.

• Any weakness you've noticed.

• Previous injections, physical therapy, chiropractic care or other treatment.

• Whether additional examination or imaging may be appropriate.

• Whether you're a reasonable candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

The purpose of the appointment isn't to get you signed up for treatment.

It's to find out whether Dr. Boelk thinks he may be able to help.

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

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

Dr. Boelk does these consultations while continuing to treat his existing patients, so the office can only set aside a limited number of appointments during the week.

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

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

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Your MRI and Your Symptoms Should Make Sense Together

One thing Dr. Boelk has learned after more than 22 years of treating disc patients is not to treat the MRI by itself.

Two people can have similar-looking MRIs and feel completely different.

One may have mostly lower back pain.

The other may have almost no back pain but terrible pain running through the buttock and calf.

Another person may have numb toes but very little pain at all.

That's why Dr. Boelk spends time getting the history.

If you tell him your foot goes numb after standing for 10 minutes but sitting down for five minutes settles everything down, that's useful information.

If coughing or sneezing shoots pain down the leg, tell him.

If driving is terrible but walking feels pretty good, tell him that too.

Those details help build the picture.

What Is Spinal Decompression Doing?

The clinic uses the DRX9000 exclusively.

Treatment applies controlled distraction to the spine. The goal is to reduce mechanical stress at the involved level and create a better environment around the injured disc and surrounding structures.

Dr. Boelk doesn't promise that a DRX9000 is going to physically “suck” every herniated disc back into place.

That's not how he explains it to patients.

What he cares about is whether you're changing.

Maybe you can stand longer.

Maybe you're sleeping through the night again.

Maybe the pain that used to go all the way into your foot now stops around your buttock.

Maybe putting your shoes on isn't an ordeal anymore.

Those changes tell him a lot more than simply asking whether today's pain is a 5 or a 6.

Sometimes the Leg Hurts More Than the Back

This is especially confusing for people who have been told they have a “back problem.”

They'll say, “My back really isn't that bad. Why does my leg hurt so much?”

A lumbar disc herniation can irritate or compress a nerve that travels into the leg.

Depending on the nerve involved, symptoms can show up in different areas of the buttock, thigh, calf or foot.

You can also have burning, tingling or numbness.

That's one reason Dr. Boelk wants to see the MRI himself and compare it with the symptom pattern.

What If You've Already Tried Everything?

A lot of patients who come into the office aren't starting with spinal decompression.

They've already tried something else.

Sometimes several things.

Physical therapy helped temporarily. An injection worked for a few weeks. Chiropractic care helped the back but didn't change the leg pain. Medication takes the edge off but the symptoms come right back.

Tell Dr. Boelk all of that.

He wants to know what helped, what didn't and how long any improvement lasted.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I Was One Step Away From Back Surgery”

“For the first time in 10 years, I am completely pain-free.”

“For the first time in 10 years, I am completely pain-free. My sciatca is gone, and I no longer have back pain.

Before finding Dr. Boelk, I tried chiropractic care, acupuncture, pain medications, and several other therapies that simply didn't work. I was one step away from back surgery when I discovered spinal decompression treatment at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.

The results have been incredible. Every visit was comfortable, relaxing, and completely pain-free. Dr. Boelk and Patty always took the time to explain everything and made me feel genuinely cared for throughout the process.

They are warm, welcoming, and truly dedicated to helping their patients.

Thank you, Dr. Boelk and Patty!”

— Toni H., San Diego, CA

Toni had been dealing with sciatica and back pain for 10 years and had already tried several different approaches.

Her story doesn't mean every person with a herniated disc can avoid surgery.

Some can't.

That's an important distinction.

When Does Dr. Boelk Want Someone Evaluated More Urgently?

Increasing weakness is different from pain.

If your leg is becoming progressively weaker, you're having increasing difficulty lifting your foot, or you're noticing a clear loss of strength, Dr. Boelk wants that appropriately evaluated.

There are also symptoms that shouldn't wait for a routine decompression consultation.

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

Dr. Boelk has treated a lot of patients who wanted to avoid surgery.

Avoiding surgery at all costs is not the goal.

Making the right decision for the individual patient is.

Who Does Dr. Boelk Consider for Spinal Decompression?

He commonly evaluates people with L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc herniations, disc protrusions, selected extrusions, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, foraminal narrowing and certain cases of spinal stenosis.

Then he looks beyond the diagnosis.

Is the spine stable?

Has the patient had surgery?

Is there hardware at the level being considered for treatment?

What does the bone quality look like?

Are there neurological deficits?

Does the MRI even match the symptoms?

That's why candidacy is determined before treatment begins.

★ An Honest Consultation Can End With “No”

“We both determined that surgery was my only option.”

“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 traveled from Tucson to see Dr. Boelk.

After reviewing his situation, Dr. Boelk didn't recommend spinal decompression. They agreed surgery was the appropriate direction.

That isn't a failed consultation.

That's exactly what the consultation is supposed to accomplish.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

Dr. Boelk's 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

• More than 22 years performing Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

• More than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments performed

Dr. Boelk also knows what it's like to deal with a significant spinal injury personally. He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later experienced disc injuries and sciatica himself.

If You're in Chula Vista and Trying to Figure Out What to Do Next

If you've already had an MRI, don't just leave it sitting in a portal while you try to figure everything out on your own.

Bring the images.

Tell Dr. Boelk what's happening now compared with three or six months ago.

Maybe you used to walk for 30 minutes and now it's 10.

Maybe sitting through dinner has become difficult.

Maybe the numbness used to come and go and now it's there most of the day.

Those changes matter.

Then let Dr. Boelk give you his opinion about whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is worth considering.

No-Charge Consultation With Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

You don't need to decide whether you want treatment before you come in.

That's getting ahead of things.

The first decision is simply whether it's worth getting an experienced opinion about your herniated disc.

Bring your MRI if you have one. There is no charge and no obligation.

If Dr. Boelk thinks you're a candidate, he'll explain why.

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

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

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

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

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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