Herniated Disc Treatment Without Surgery in San Diego, CA
If you’re typing things like “herniated disc treatment without surgery San Diego”, “L4-L5 herniated disc help,” or “severe sciatica from herniated disc,” you’re exactly who this article is for.
I’m Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC, Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor and Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist. At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, I’ve spent nearly 20 years helping patients with herniated and extruded discs avoid surgery and get their lives back.
What Is a Herniated Disc – And Why Does It Hurt So Much?
Between each vertebra in your spine is a disc – a tough outer ring with a softer, gel-like center.
A herniated disc happens when that inner material pushes or leaks through the outer ring and begins to press on nearby nerves.
Common symptoms patients describe include:
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Sharp, burning, or electric pain down the leg or arm
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Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the foot, calf, or hand
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Pain that gets worse with sitting, bending, or lifting
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Difficulty standing up straight or walking without limping
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Pain that makes sleeping through the night nearly impossible
Many of the people who walk into my office have already tried:
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Multiple rounds of physical therapy
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Chiropractic adjustments alone
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Pain medications and muscle relaxers
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Spinal injections
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Being told that surgery is the “next step”
Yet they’re still in pain.
Why Discs Herniate in the First Place
Most disc herniations don’t come from one bad move. They build over time.
Healthy discs depend on something called spinal imbibition – a natural pumping action of the spine created by alternating gentle compression and decompression as you move. This pumping draws water, oxygen, and nutrients into the disc and maintains hydrostatic pressure inside it.
When you:
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Sit for long hours
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Have poor posture
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Suffer previous injuries
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Lose normal spinal motion
…that pumping motion slows or stops. The disc begins to dehydrate and weaken. Over time it can bulge, then herniate or even extrude and press directly on the nerves.
If you don’t restore motion and pressure inside the disc, medications and injections may dull the pain, but the underlying problem can remain.
How Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) Helps Herniated Discs Heal
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, we use only the DRX9000 True Spinal Decompression System – not generic traction tables.
The DRX9000 is:
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Specifically engineered for true spinal decompression
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Highly researched and studied at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Mayo Clinic, Duke Medical Center, and others
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Designed to gently create negative pressure inside the disc, not just pull on the spine
During treatment, the DRX9000:
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Gently separates the vertebrae in a controlled, computer-guided way
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Creates negative pressure inside the disc, helping draw bulging or herniated disc material away from the nerve
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Restores nutrient and fluid exchange so the disc can begin to heal
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Reduces nerve pressure so pain, numbness, and weakness can begin to calm down
We combine this with specific stabilization exercises and lifestyle guidance so you’re not just better on the table—you’re better in real life.
Real Patients, Real Herniated Disc Results
These are full, unedited reviews from patients who chose Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression with us:
Michael Langsdale
“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!”
Brian Perrotta
“I highly recommend Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC and the team at The Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Center. I came in with severe sciatica and a herniated disc, and his treatments have made a world of difference. He and his staff are both professional and genuinely caring, creating a welcoming and supportive environment. The treatments were not only highly effective but also tailored to my specific needs. I’m grateful for the care I received and the significant improvement in my quality of life.”
Amanda
“Last year, I spent three months constantly going back and forth between doctor’s appointments and urgent care. The pain was unbearable—I was taking medication regularly just to get through the day. Getting out of bed was excruciating, and walking or standing felt like torture. Every step filled me with dread.
In December, my doctor finally ordered an MRI. That’s when I learned I had an extruded disc pressing on my L5 nerve, which affects the leg and foot. My doctor scheduled two follow-up appointments: one for pain management (spinal injections), and another to evaluate me for surgery.
Then I discovered spinal decompression therapy. I was thrilled to find a non-invasive alternative. I never ended up needing either of those appointments.
Now, I’m walking regularly, standing up straight—something I couldn’t do before. When I first sought help, I was so hunched over that I had to use a cane just to move forward. Because of the pain, I hadn’t exercised in months. But now, I’m doing a program called 75 hard which requires not one but 2 45-minute workouts per day, and I've even gotten back to lifting weights!
I’m so thankful I found this place. It’s conveniently located near my work, which makes it easy to fit sessions into my lunch break. Dr. Boelk and the staff are incredibly friendly and polite—it’s always a pleasure to come in.
The environment is so relaxing that I look forward to each visit. I truly thank God for leading me to this alternative. It’s made such a difference in my life.”
Who Herniated Disc Decompression May Help
Patients come to see Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC from San Diego and far beyond for conditions such as:
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Lumbar and cervical herniated discs
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Disc extrusions and disc protrusions
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Sciatica and leg pain from nerve compression
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Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
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Degenerative disc disease with disc space narrowing
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Failed back surgery (without metal hardware in the spine)
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Chronic low back pain or neck pain that hasn’t responded to other care
Not everyone is a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, which is why a thorough history, exam, and MRI review are so important.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
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Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic
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Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
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Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
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California X-ray Radiology Licensed Doctor
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Member, International Disc Education Association
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Over 75,000 spinal decompression treatments performed
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7 DRX9000 True Spinal Decompression machines in one office
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One of the largest and most experienced Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression providers in California
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Founder of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy in San Diego
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Patients regularly travel from across the U.S., Mexico, the U.K., and Spain seeking his decompression protocols
You’re not just getting a machine—you’re getting the experience of a doctor who has spent thousands of hours treating disc injuries and rehabbing both his own spine and his patients’ spines.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Help for Your Herniated Disc
If you’re dealing with a herniated disc, sciatica, or an extruded disc that just won’t calm down, here’s exactly what to do next:
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Call or Text the Office
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Call 619-298-0800 during office hours.
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Text or call 619-884-8298 after hours.
A team member will answer questions and help you schedule.
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Schedule Your No-Charge Consultation
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We reserve a limited number of consultation spots each week.
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These are first-come, first-served and often fill up quickly.
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Gather Your Imaging
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Bring any MRIs, X-rays, or reports you have of your spine.
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If you don’t have imaging yet, we’ll discuss whether it’s needed.
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Meet Personally with Dr. Boelk, DC
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You’ll sit down one-on-one at:
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92123 -
We’ll review your history, exam findings, and imaging together.
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Find Out If You’re a Candidate
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If your condition is appropriate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, Dr. Boelk will outline a specific treatment plan using the DRX9000 systems.
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If it’s not a good fit, he’ll be honest and discuss other options.
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Begin a Customized Decompression Program
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Treatments are tailored specifically to your spinal level, angle, and condition.
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The goal: reduce nerve pressure, restore disc health, and get you back to normal life as quickly and safely as possible.
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Ready to Talk About Your Herniated Disc?
If you’re tired of living around your pain, postponing activities, or being told that surgery is your only option, it may be time to see whether true spinal decompression can help.
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Call: 619-298-0800
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Text: 619-884-8298
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Visit: www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
Taking the first step does not obligate you to anything—but it might be the step that finally changes how your back and leg feel day to day.
