Articles


Neck Pain Treatment Without Surgery – La Jolla, CA

Neck Pain Treatment Without Surgery – La Jolla, CA

When Neck Pain Keeps Coming Back, It May Be Time to Look Deeper

If you're dealing with persistent neck pain, headaches originating from the neck, pain around the shoulder blade, or numbness and tingling traveling into your arm or hand, simply treating the area that hurts may not be enough.

For some patients, the underlying problem may involve a bulging or herniated cervical disc, degenerative disc disease, foraminal stenosis or irritation of a cervical nerve root.

This is especially important when you've already tried chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage, medications, injections or traditional cervical traction—and the symptoms keep returning.

Patients from La Jolla and throughout San Diego County seek out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego for a different approach.

Dr. Boelk has spent more than two decades working with difficult spinal conditions and specializes in determining whether patients with chronic neck and disc-related symptoms may be candidates for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

Before You Assume Surgery Is Your Next Step, Find Out If You May Be a Candidate

Call 619-298-0800 for a No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Boelk.

If you already have a cervical MRI, bring it with you.

“I Was Told Surgery Was Likely My Next Option.”

That's what patient Justine Lai had been told before finding Dr. Boelk.

Justine had been diagnosed with severe cervical disc bulging, dizziness, neck pain, and numbness and tingling into her arms and hands.

She had already tried multiple chiropractors, traction machines and pain-management specialists.

Then she found Dr. Boelk.

After beginning a treatment plan specific to her condition, Justine reported that her pain decreased from approximately 7/10 to 3/10 after several intensive sessions, eventually improving to approximately 1–2/10 with maintenance care.

She later described finding Dr. Boelk as:

“One of the best healthcare decisions I've ever made.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Justine Lai

Individual results vary. Not everyone with neck pain or a cervical disc problem is a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

Why Does a Problem in Your Neck Cause Pain in Your Arm or Hand?

One of the most confusing things about cervical disc problems is that the worst symptoms aren't always felt in the neck.

The nerves exiting the cervical spine travel into the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers.

If a cervical disc bulges or herniates—or degenerative changes reduce the available space around one of those nerves—the symptoms can follow the nerve away from the spine.

Depending on the structures involved, patients may experience:

  • Neck pain and stiffness

  • Pain between or underneath a shoulder blade

  • Shoulder or upper-arm pain

  • Pain traveling down the arm

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Burning or electrical sensations

  • Symptoms extending into particular fingers

  • Weakness in the arm or hand

  • Changes in grip strength

  • Difficulty sleeping because of neck or arm symptoms

  • Increased symptoms while sitting, driving or using a computer

These symptoms are sometimes referred to as a “pinched nerve.”

But the important question is:

What's pinching or irritating the nerve?

That's what needs to be evaluated.

What If You've Already Tried Chiropractic or Physical Therapy?

Many of the patients who seek out Dr. Boelk have.

Some have tried several different providers.

They may have gone through chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, massage, stretching, medications, injections or traditional cervical traction.

Sometimes those treatments helped temporarily.

Sometimes they didn't.

And sometimes the symptoms improved only to return as soon as treatment stopped.

That doesn't necessarily mean conservative care has failed completely.

It may mean the underlying condition requires a different approach.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Is Not the Same as Traditional Traction

This is an important distinction, particularly for patients who tell us:

“I've already tried traction.”

Traditional traction and advanced Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression should not automatically be considered the same treatment.

At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Boelk exclusively utilizes the DRX9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression system.

The treatment is designed to deliver controlled decompressive forces according to the patient's condition, clinical findings and individualized protocol.

Our office has seven Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression systems—four lumbar and three cervical—allowing us to focus extensively on these cases.

But owning the equipment isn't what makes the difference.

Knowing who should—and who should not—be treated is far more important.

Why La Jolla Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

There are many places to receive treatment for neck pain in San Diego.

Patients seek out Dr. Boelk because treating difficult spinal conditions has been the focus of his career.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC is a Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor and Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist with more than two decades of experience working with spinal decompression and difficult neck, back and disc conditions.

His experience with spinal rehabilitation is personal as well as professional.

After suffering significant spinal injuries himself, Dr. Boelk spent thousands of hours learning how to rehabilitate his own neck and back while remaining active.

That experience became part of the foundation for the clinical protocols he uses today.

Dr. Boelk also trains other doctors in Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression protocols and techniques through the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy, which he founded at his private practice in San Diego.

Patients seek out his experience from throughout San Diego County, other parts of California and, in some cases, from other states and countries.

Your MRI Is Important—But We Don't Treat an MRI

Maybe you've already been told you have:

C4-C5 disc bulging.

C5-C6 disc herniation.

C6-C7 foraminal stenosis.

Degenerative disc disease.

Cervical nerve-root compression.

Seeing these words on an MRI report can be frightening.

But an MRI finding by itself doesn't tell the entire story.

Dr. Boelk looks at how your imaging correlates with your symptoms, examination findings and spinal mechanics.

The question isn't simply:

“Do you have a disc bulge?”

It's:

“Does what we're seeing explain what you're experiencing—and is this a condition we can safely and appropriately treat?”

Not Everyone With a Herniated Cervical Disc Is a Candidate

This may be one of the most important differences about our approach.

We do not accept every patient for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression.

A patient experiencing progressive neurological weakness, signs of spinal cord involvement, instability, fracture or another condition requiring medical or surgical intervention should not simply be placed on a decompression table.

Dr. Boelk's first responsibility is determining whether the treatment is appropriate.

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes additional imaging is needed.

Sometimes another specialist should become involved.

And sometimes Dr. Boelk will tell a patient:

“I don't think you're a candidate.”

That's exactly why the consultation comes first.

Another Patient With Neck Symptoms From a Pinched Nerve

Patient Jose Mejia came to our office with neck symptoms associated with what he described as a pinched nerve.

After treatment, Jose reported:

“Treatment made a significant improvement in my neck symptoms that were being caused by a pinched nerve. Highly recommended.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Jose Mejia

Patient Christine Sherk also sought care after severe nighttime flare-ups from what she described as a pinched nerve near her shoulder were interrupting her sleep and even affecting her confidence while exercising.

After several treatments, Christine reported that the flare-ups stopped and she was able to return to her normal routine. She was also given exercises and strategies to help reduce future problems.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Christine Sherk

Individual results vary.

Does a Cervical Disc Herniation Mean You Need Neck Surgery?

No—not automatically.

There are absolutely situations in which surgical evaluation is appropriate.

Progressive neurological loss, significant spinal cord involvement, instability and other serious findings require appropriate medical evaluation.

But for an appropriately selected patient, having a cervical disc bulge or herniation does not necessarily mean surgery is the only remaining option.

That's why it can make sense to have your case evaluated before making that decision.

What Happens During a No-Charge Consultation?

If you live in La Jolla and have been struggling with persistent neck or radiating arm symptoms, you can schedule a No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Boelk.

If you have an MRI, bring it.

You'll have an opportunity to discuss:

  • Your neck symptoms

  • How long you've had the problem

  • Whether pain travels into your shoulder or arm

  • Numbness or tingling in your hands or fingers

  • Previous treatments you've tried

  • Your MRI findings

  • Whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be appropriate

  • What Dr. Boelk recommends as your next step

There is no obligation to begin treatment because you scheduled a consultation.

The purpose is simple:

Find out if you're a candidate.

Neck Pain Is Already Taking Enough From You

Persistent neck and arm pain can interfere with much more than your neck.

It can affect your sleep.

Your concentration.

Your workouts.

Your golf game.

Your ability to surf.

Your ability to sit at a computer or drive comfortably.

And eventually, it can start determining what you will and won't do.

If you've been dealing with the problem for months—or even years—there may be value in getting another perspective before simply accepting it or moving toward a more invasive option.

See If You're a Candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

📍 5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123

📞 619-298-0800

📱 619-884-8298

🌐 SanDiegoBackCare.com

Call 619-298-0800 Today to Schedule Your No-Charge Consultation.

Not every patient is a candidate. That's precisely why the first step is finding out if you are.

Get Fast Pain Relief Now

Schedule a Complimentary, No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation or to submit a question, simply fill out the form to the right and click submit.

(619) 298-0800