L5 Sciatica Symptoms | San Diego, CA

Pain traveling down the outside of your leg? Numbness or tingling across the top of your foot? Maybe your big toe feels different, or you've noticed that one foot doesn't lift quite as strongly when you're walking.

Those symptoms can sometimes occur when the L5 nerve root in the lower back is irritated or compressed.

L5 nerve irritation is one of the more common patterns Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC sees in patients with lumbar disc problems and sciatica. It can also be confusing because the lower back isn't necessarily where the patient hurts the most. Some people have very little back pain and are much more concerned about the burning, tingling, numbness or weakness they're experiencing farther down the leg.

After more than 22 years working with disc injuries, sciatica and Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, and more than 100,000 spinal decompression treatments, Dr. Boelk has learned that the details of a patient's symptoms can provide important clues.

Where does the pain travel? Which part of the foot is numb? Does sitting make it worse? Is there weakness? Did the back hurt initially and then improve while the leg symptoms remained?

Those details, combined with an appropriate examination and review of the actual MRI images when available, can help determine whether the L5 nerve may be involved and what should happen next.

A Real Patient With an L5 Nerve Problem

One of the best ways to understand how significant an L5 nerve problem can become is to hear from someone who actually experienced it.

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“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.”

— Amanda, San Diego, CA

Individual patients and conditions are different, and Amanda's experience doesn't mean everyone with an L5 nerve problem will respond the same way.

What Does L5 Sciatica Feel Like?

Not everyone with L5 nerve irritation experiences exactly the same symptoms, but a common pattern may include:

• Pain traveling along the outside of the thigh or lower leg

• Burning or aching through the outer portion of the leg

• Numbness or tingling across the top of the foot

• Symptoms extending toward the big toe

• Weakness when lifting the foot upward

• Difficulty lifting or extending the big toe

• A foot that feels less coordinated during walking

• Difficulty walking on the heel in more significant cases

The symptoms don't have to follow a perfect diagram. There can be overlap between neighboring nerve roots, and the location and severity of nerve irritation can affect what an individual patient feels.

That's one reason Dr. Boelk doesn't diagnose an L5 problem simply by looking at where someone points on a symptom chart.

A patient who says, “My back feels pretty good now, but the top of my foot is still numb,” is providing useful information.

So is the patient who says, “I can walk, but one foot doesn't seem to lift normally,” or “Twenty minutes in the car and the pain starts running down the outside of my leg.”

Those details can help build the clinical picture.

Can You Have L5 Sciatica Without Much Lower-Back Pain?

Yes.

It's easy to assume that if the problem originates in the lumbar spine, the lower back should be the most painful area. That's not always what happens when a nerve root becomes irritated.

Someone may initially experience significant lower-back pain and then notice that the symptoms begin traveling into the buttock or leg. Over time, the back itself may start feeling considerably better while the leg symptoms continue.

Another patient may hardly remember having much back pain at all. Their main complaints may be burning down the outside of the leg, numbness across the foot or weakness involving the foot or toes.

The area where you feel the symptoms isn't necessarily where the problem originates.

Why L5 Weakness Deserves Attention

Pain gets people's attention quickly. Weakness can sometimes be easier to overlook.

The L5 nerve contributes to muscles involved in lifting the foot and extending the big toe. If the nerve becomes significantly irritated or compressed, a patient may begin noticing a difference in strength or coordination.

Sometimes it's subtle. One foot may fatigue faster. Walking may feel slightly different. The big toe may not lift as strongly as it does on the other side.

More significant weakness can make it difficult to lift the front of the foot normally and may contribute to a foot slap or foot drop.

That doesn't mean everyone with L5 sciatica is going to develop foot drop. Most won't. But new or increasing weakness is something that deserves attention because neurological function can provide information that pain alone cannot.

If your leg or foot is becoming progressively weaker, don't simply continue stretching it or exercising harder hoping the weakness will disappear.

Have it evaluated.

Why an L4-L5 Disc Problem Can Cause L5 Symptoms

This is where MRI reports frequently confuse patients.

You may open your report and see:

• L4-L5 disc bulge

• L4-L5 disc herniation

• L4-L5 disc extrusion

• L4-L5 lateral recess or foraminal narrowing

Then you wonder why anyone is talking about the L5 nerve when the report says L4-L5.

The disc level and the affected nerve root aren't necessarily the same thing.

Depending on the location of the abnormality, a disc herniation at the L4-L5 level can affect the L5 nerve root.

This is one reason Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC prefers to review the actual MRI images whenever they're available instead of relying only on the written report.

The report is useful, but the images allow him to look at where the disc abnormality is located, where the nerve travels, how much space appears to be available and whether those findings reasonably correspond with the patient's symptoms.

An MRI may also show abnormalities at several levels.

That doesn't automatically mean every abnormality is causing pain.

The objective isn't simply to identify the worst-looking disc on the scan. The imaging needs to be considered alongside the patient's history, symptoms and examination findings.

Pay Attention to What Happens During Your Normal Day

You don't need to become your own neurologist before coming into the office.

Instead, pay attention to what naturally happens during your day.

Does sitting in the car make the leg pain worse? How long can you sit before it starts?

Does standing feel better?

Does walking help, or does your foot become progressively more numb the farther you go?

If you have numbness, notice where it is. “My foot is numb” is useful, but “the numbness is mostly across the top of my foot and into my big toe” provides considerably more information.

Also pay attention to strength.

Are you catching your toes?

Does one foot feel different going up stairs?

Does the front of the foot seem to slap the ground when you walk?

Has something clearly changed compared with the other side?

Those observations are worth mentioning during an evaluation.

What Can You Do While You're Trying to Figure This Out?

If short walks are comfortable, staying gently mobile may be reasonable. If sitting clearly aggravates the leg, breaking up prolonged sitting when possible may be helpful.

Be cautious about aggressively stretching a leg that constantly feels “tight.”

An irritated nerve can create a sensation that feels very much like muscle tightness. That doesn't necessarily mean the answer is to stretch harder.

If a stretch repeatedly causes burning, electrical pain, tingling or numbness to travel farther down the leg, don't continue forcing it simply because you've been told stretching is good for sciatica.

The same principle applies to exercise.

Movement is important, but more isn't automatically better when neurological symptoms are worsening.

Could Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Help L5 Sciatica?

When L5 nerve irritation is associated with an appropriate disc or degenerative spinal condition, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an option.

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego uses the DRX9000 exclusively, with four lumbar and three cervical systems.

Dr. Boelk doesn't use one generic “sciatica setting” for every patient.

The disc level and location, symptoms, treatment angle, positioning, starting force, body size, tolerance and response to treatment all need to be considered.

And importantly:

Not everyone is a candidate for spinal decompression.

An unhealed fracture, significant osteoporosis, unstable spondylolisthesis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, pregnancy for lumbar decompression, certain malignancies and other conditions may make treatment inappropriate. Previous spinal surgery also needs careful evaluation, particularly when fusion or metal hardware is present at the level that would need treatment.

Sometimes another conservative approach is more appropriate.

Sometimes additional imaging is needed.

And sometimes a surgical consultation is the appropriate recommendation.

One patient described exactly that experience after meeting with Dr. Boelk:

“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

That is an important part of the consultation process.

The objective isn't to find a reason to put everyone on a DRX9000.

It's to determine whether the treatment actually makes sense for the individual patient.

What Happens During the No-Charge Consultation?

If you're dealing with sciatica, leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness and you're not sure what's actually causing it, the first step can be a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.

This isn't a five-minute sales conversation.

The purpose is to learn more about what you're experiencing and determine whether the office may be able to help.

During the consultation, Dr. Boelk may:

• Discuss when and how your symptoms started

• Identify exactly where the pain travels

• Discuss numbness, tingling, burning or weakness

• Ask what makes your symptoms better or worse

• Discuss how sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, bending and exercise affect you

• Review treatments you've already tried and how you responded

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

• Compare the imaging findings with your actual symptoms

• Discuss whether further examination or additional imaging may be appropriate

• Explain whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be a reasonable option

• Answer your questions

• Discuss what Dr. Boelk believes would be a reasonable next step

Already Have an MRI?

Bring the actual MRI images along with the written report.

Dr. Boelk can review them with you and explain what he sees in relation to the symptoms you're experiencing.

Don't Have an MRI?

That's okay.

You can still begin with the consultation. If additional imaging appears appropriate, that can be discussed with you.

No Obligation to Begin Treatment

Coming in for the consultation doesn't mean you're agreeing to treatment.

If Dr. Boelk doesn't believe you're a good candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, he'll tell you.

Consultation Appointments Are Limited

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

Because these consultations require his time and are offered at no charge and with no obligation, only a limited number of new-patient consultation appointments are available during the clinic schedule.

If you're dealing with persistent sciatica, leg or foot numbness, a diagnosed disc herniation, or you've already had an MRI and still aren't sure what to do next, you don't need to commit to treatment.

You can simply reserve a consultation, bring your imaging if you have it, and start by finding out whether Dr. Boelk believes the office can help.

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

More Than 22 Years of Experience With Disc Injuries and Sciatica

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has spent more than two decades working with patients suffering from disc injuries, sciatica and other spinal conditions.

His professional 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's interest in spinal injuries is personal as well as professional.

He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica himself. Those experiences, along with thousands of hours spent on his own rehabilitation, have influenced the way he evaluates patients who are trying to stay active while dealing with a spinal problem.

When L5 Symptoms Shouldn't Wait

Pain, burning, tingling and numbness can all be miserable, but increasing neurological weakness deserves particular attention.

If the front of your foot is becoming progressively harder to lift, you're beginning to catch your toes when you walk, the foot is slapping the ground or you're noticing a meaningful change in leg strength, have it evaluated promptly.

New bowel or bladder dysfunction, difficulty urinating, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or rapidly progressing neurological weakness require prompt medical attention and should not wait for a routine decompression consultation.

Dealing With L5 Sciatica Symptoms in San Diego?

If you're experiencing pain down the outside of your leg, numbness or tingling across the top of your foot, symptoms toward your big toe or unexplained weakness in the foot, don't assume the problem is simply a tight muscle or something wrong with the leg itself.

The symptoms may be coming from your lumbar spine.

If you already have an MRI, bring the actual images and report. Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC can review them with you, compare the findings with what you're experiencing and discuss whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an appropriate option.

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

Start With a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation

There is no commitment to begin treatment, and if Dr. Boelk doesn't believe you're an appropriate candidate for decompression, he'll tell you.

Because Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations and reviews each case, consultation availability is limited within the weekly clinic schedule.

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

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