L5 Sciatica Symptoms | Kearny Mesa, CA

A lot of people with an L5 nerve problem don't come into the office saying, “I think I have an L5 nerve problem.”

They say things like, “The outside of my leg is killing me,” “The top of my foot is numb,” “My big toe feels weird,” or “My foot just doesn't feel as strong as the other one.”

Sometimes they don't have much lower-back pain at all.

That can be confusing, especially when someone has already been treating the leg, stretching the hamstring, working on the hip or trying different exercises without getting anywhere.

The problem may actually be coming from the lower back.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has been treating patients with disc injuries and sciatica for more than 22 years and has performed more than 100,000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression treatments. One thing he pays close attention to is where the symptoms actually go.

L5 nerve irritation commonly causes symptoms through the outside of the leg and into the top of the foot and big toe. Some patients experience pain. Others describe burning, tingling or numbness. And when the nerve is more significantly affected, weakness can become part of the picture.

What Patients With L5 Sciatica Often Describe

The pattern isn't identical in everyone, but some common complaints include:

• Pain running down the outside of the thigh or lower leg

• Burning or tingling through the outer leg

• Numbness across the top of the foot

• Symptoms extending toward the big toe

• Weakness lifting the foot

• Weakness lifting the big toe

• One foot feeling less coordinated than the other

• Difficulty walking on the heel when weakness is more significant

Sometimes the description is much simpler:

“My back got better, but the numbness in my foot never went away.”

That is something worth investigating.

What One Patient With Severe Sciatica Had to Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Dr. Boelk has been a lifesaver.

I suffered from constant low back pain and sciatica for more than eight months. Pain medications didn't help, and I was headed toward multiple injections in hopes of finding relief.

After beginning treatment with Dr. Boelk, everything changed.

Today, my pain is completely gone.

As a firefighter who depends on his body every day to help others, being pain-free has made a tremendous difference in both my career and quality of life.

The results I experienced were absolutely worth it, and I highly recommend looking into what Dr. Boelk and his team can do for you.”

— Joshua T., San Diego, CA

Your Back Doesn't Have to Hurt for the Problem to Be Coming From Your Back

This is something Dr. Boelk explains fairly often.

Patients naturally focus on the place that hurts. If the outside of the calf hurts, they assume something is wrong with the calf. If the foot is numb, they start looking for a problem in the foot.

But an irritated lumbar nerve can create symptoms quite a distance from the actual source of the problem.

Someone may start with significant lower-back pain and then notice the pain gradually moving into the buttock and leg. A few weeks later, the back may feel much better while the leg is still painful or the foot remains numb.

Another patient may have almost no recollection of significant back pain.

That's why simply asking “Where does it hurt?” isn't enough.

Dr. Boelk also wants to know when it started, where the symptoms travel, what makes them worse, what relieves them and whether anything has changed in strength or function.

Sitting for 30 minutes before the leg starts burning is different from being able to sit comfortably but developing symptoms after walking several blocks.

Those details help.

The MRI Can Help, but It Doesn't Make the Diagnosis by Itself

A common source of confusion is seeing L4-L5 on an MRI report and wondering how that could create an L5 nerve problem.

It absolutely can.

Depending on the location of a disc bulge, herniation or extrusion, a problem at the L4-L5 disc level can irritate or compress the L5 nerve root.

This is also why Dr. Boelk prefers patients to bring the actual MRI images, not only the report.

Reports are valuable, but they can list several abnormalities:

L3-L4 bulge.
L4-L5 herniation.
L5-S1 degeneration.
Foraminal narrowing.
Facet changes.

That doesn't necessarily mean every finding is causing symptoms.

Dr. Boelk looks at the images and then compares what he sees with what the patient is actually experiencing.

If the symptoms don't make sense with the imaging, that needs to be considered too.

Pay Particular Attention to Weakness

Pain can fluctuate considerably from one day to another.

Weakness is different.

If you notice that you're catching the front of your foot when walking, your foot has started slapping the ground, or one side is clearly becoming more difficult to lift, don't ignore it.

The same goes for noticeable weakness in the big toe.

These findings don't automatically mean someone needs surgery, but progressive neurological weakness should be evaluated promptly.

New bowel or bladder problems, difficulty urinating, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or rapidly progressing neurological weakness require prompt medical attention rather than waiting for a routine decompression consultation.

What Can You Do in the Meantime?

You don't have to stop moving because you have sciatica.

If walking feels comfortable, shorter walks may be reasonable. If sitting clearly aggravates your symptoms, break up long periods of sitting when you can.

One mistake Dr. Boelk sees is people repeatedly stretching a leg because it feels tight.

Sometimes the muscle really is tight.

But nerve irritation can also create a pulling or tight sensation through the back of the leg. If stretching causes burning, tingling, electrical pain or numbness to travel farther down the leg, that's probably not something to keep forcing harder.

Pay attention to how your body responds rather than assuming every stretch is beneficial simply because it's labeled a “sciatica stretch.”

Where Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression May Fit

If an L5 nerve is being irritated by an appropriate disc or degenerative condition, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be one treatment option.

Dr. Boelk's office uses the DRX9000 exclusively, with four lumbar and three cervical systems.

But the machine isn't the most important part of the decision.

First, Dr. Boelk needs to determine whether the patient is actually an appropriate candidate and what appears to be causing the symptoms.

Two people can walk into the office with an MRI that says “L4-L5 herniation” and still require very different approaches.

Dr. Boelk considers the location of the disc problem, symptoms, treatment level, angle, positioning, starting force, body size, tolerance and response.

There are also people he won't treat.

Certain fractures, significant osteoporosis, unstable spondylolisthesis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, pregnancy for lumbar treatment, certain malignancies and other conditions can make decompression inappropriate. Previous spinal surgery and hardware also need to be evaluated carefully.

Sometimes the correct recommendation is another form of conservative care.

Sometimes additional imaging is needed.

And occasionally, the right answer is surgery.

That decision should come before treatment—not after someone has already purchased a program.

A Patient Dr. Boelk Did Not Accept for Treatment

One former consultation patient described his experience this way:

“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

What Happens During the No-Charge Consultation?

If you're not sure what's causing your leg or foot symptoms, you can start with a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

This gives Dr. Boelk an opportunity to learn what has actually been happening rather than simply looking at an MRI report and making assumptions.

The consultation may include:

• How and when the problem started

• Exactly where the pain travels

• Where you're experiencing numbness or tingling

• Any weakness you've noticed

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

• Treatments you've already tried

• What helped and what didn't

• Review of your MRI images, X-rays and reports when available

• Comparing the imaging with your actual symptoms

• Discussing whether additional examination or imaging may be appropriate

• Determining whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an option

• Answering your questions

• Discussing what makes sense as the next step

If you already have a lumbar MRI, bring the actual images and the report.

If you don't have an MRI, that's okay. You can still start with the consultation.

And there is no obligation to begin treatment.

Consultation Availability Is Limited

Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations and reviews the patient's history and available imaging.

Because they require time with Dr. Boelk and are provided at no charge and with no obligation, there are a limited number of new-patient consultation appointments available within the weekly clinic schedule.

If you've been dealing with persistent sciatica, numbness into your foot, weakness, a diagnosed disc problem or an MRI you don't completely understand, the consultation is an opportunity to sit down with someone who has spent more than two decades working with these conditions.

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

Start by finding out whether Dr. Boelk believes you're a candidate at all.

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

Experience Matters

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has spent more than 22 years working with disc injuries, sciatica and Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

His background includes:

• Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

• More than 22 years of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression experience

• More than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments performed

• 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 from the other side of the table.

He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica himself. Staying active through surfing, hockey, exercise and everyday life has given him plenty of personal experience with the frustrations that can come with a spinal injury.

L5 Sciatica Symptoms in Kearny Mesa?

If the outside of your leg is painful, the top of your foot is numb or tingling, your big toe feels different, or you've noticed a change in the strength of your foot, it may be worth finding out whether the problem is actually coming from your lower back.

If you have an MRI, bring the actual images and the report.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC can review them with you, compare what he sees with your symptoms and discuss whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be appropriate.

If you don't have imaging yet, that's okay too.

Start with a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation.

Dr. Boelk personally performs the consultations, so the number of new-patient consultation appointments available each week is limited.

Call 619-298-0800 to ask about the next available consultation.

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123

619-298-0800

www.SanDiegoBackCare.com

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

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