SCIATICA VS PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME - SAN DIEGO, CA
Is It Really Sciatica... Or Could It Be Piriformis Syndrome?
If you're dealing with:
✔ Pain In The Buttock
✔ Pain Down The Leg
✔ Tingling In The Leg
✔ Numbness In The Foot
✔ Burning Leg Pain
✔ Difficulty Sitting
✔ Pain Driving
✔ Hip Pain
You may have heard two different diagnoses:
Sciatica
or
Piriformis Syndrome
And now you're wondering:
"What's The Difference?"
"How Do I Know Which One I Have?"
"Can Piriformis Syndrome Cause Sciatica?"
"Can A Herniated Disc Feel Like Piriformis Syndrome?"
"Why Haven't I Gotten Better Yet?"
If you're confused, you're not alone.
One of the most common things Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC hears from patients is:
"I was told it was piriformis syndrome."
Only to discover later that their MRI showed:
✔ Disc Bulges
✔ Herniated Discs
✔ Disc Extrusions
✔ Nerve Compression
In other cases, patients truly do have piriformis syndrome.
The key is identifying the actual source of the problem.
SCHEDULE A NO-CHARGE CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE
Many patients simply want an honest opinion before making another major decision.
Your No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC may include:
✔ Review Of Symptoms
✔ MRI Review (If Available)
✔ Discussion Of Previous Treatments
✔ Discussion Of Potential Treatment Options
✔ Determination Of Whether You May Be A Candidate
Please Note:
⚠️ Not Every Patient Qualifies
⚠️ Not Every Patient Can Avoid Surgery
⚠️ Not Every Patient Is A Candidate
⚠️ Dr. Boelk Will Always Be Honest About Whether He Believes He Can Help
Because Dr. Boelk personally performs consultations and reviews imaging, appointment availability is limited.
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"AFTER ABOUT 12 TREATMENTS, MY SCIATICA WAS GONE"
Michael Langsdale – San Diego, CA
"I have had an outstanding experience with Dr. Boelk and his staff at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.
They follow a very structured treatment protocol and utilize the best spinal decompression equipment available. I've been treated elsewhere using lower-quality decompression systems and never experienced meaningful improvement.
Dr. Boelk is attentive, professional, and genuinely cares about every patient. You can see it in the way he interacts with everyone who walks through the door.
After about 12 treatments, my sciatica was gone and I was nearly back to normal. Honestly, I wasn't sure I would ever heal. What surprised me most was that after my very first treatment, I experienced significant relief and was able to sleep mostly pain-free for the first time in months.
The improvement has allowed me to get back to hiking, traveling, and enjoying life again.
This treatment was one of the best investments I've ever made.
Thank you, Dr. Boelk and your entire team."
WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica is not actually a diagnosis.
Sciatica is a symptom.
It describes irritation of the sciatic nerve that may cause:
✔ Pain Down The Leg
✔ Burning
✔ Tingling
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Weakness
✔ Calf Pain
✔ Pain Below The Knee
Common causes include:
✔ Herniated Discs
✔ Disc Extrusions
✔ Disc Bulges
✔ Foraminal Stenosis
✔ Spinal Stenosis
✔ Nerve Compression
One of the most common causes of true sciatica is a lumbar disc injury.
WHAT IS PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME?
The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the buttock.
Piriformis Syndrome occurs when that muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve.
Common symptoms may include:
✔ Buttock Pain
✔ Pain Sitting
✔ Pain In The Hip
✔ Tenderness In The Buttock
✔ Symptoms That May Travel Down The Leg
However, true Piriformis Syndrome is often much less common than patients are led to believe.
WHY ARE THESE CONDITIONS SO OFTEN CONFUSED?
Because they can feel very similar.
Both conditions may cause:
✔ Leg Pain
✔ Buttock Pain
✔ Tingling
✔ Numbness
✔ Sitting Intolerance
✔ Driving Intolerance
✔ Burning Symptoms
The difference is where the irritation is occurring.
With many sciatica cases:
The problem originates in the spine.
With piriformis syndrome:
The irritation occurs in the buttock region.
This is why a proper evaluation is critical.
SIGNS YOUR SCIATICA MAY BE COMING FROM A DISC INJURY
Common clues may include:
✔ Pain Worse Sitting
✔ Pain Driving
✔ Pain Bending Forward
✔ MRI Showing Disc Injury
✔ Symptoms Into The Foot
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Calf Pain
✔ Pain Triggered By Coughing Or Sneezing
✔ History Of Back Pain
These findings often suggest spinal involvement.
WHY DO DISC INJURIES TAKE SO LONG TO HEAL?
One of the biggest misconceptions patients have is believing discs heal like muscles.
They don't.
Unlike muscles and many other tissues, spinal discs have very little direct blood supply.
This is one reason disc injuries often heal much more slowly than patients expect.
Many patients experience:
Relief.
Then a flare-up.
Relief again.
Then another setback.
For months—or even years.
WHY NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION?
One goal of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is to create a pressure gradient within the disc.
This may help facilitate the movement of:
✔ Water
✔ Oxygen
✔ Nutrients
into damaged disc tissue.
Another goal is reducing pressure on irritated spinal nerves.
For the right patient, this may help improve the disc healing environment while reducing symptoms.
WHY PATIENTS SEEK OUT DR. CASSIDY JAMES BOELK, DC
Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
✔ Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
✔ Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
✔ California X-Ray Radiology Licensed Doctor
✔ Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy
✔ Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society
✔ Member, International Disc Education Association
✔ More Than 22 Years Clinical Experience
✔ More Than 100,000 Spinal Decompression Treatments Performed
✔ Trainer Of Doctors Nationwide
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center Of San Diego
✔ 7 DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Systems
✔ One Of California's Largest Decompression Centers
✔ Patients Travel From Across The United States And Internationally
✔ Focused Primarily On Disc Injuries, Sciatica & Nerve Conditions
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"IT HURT SO BAD IT MADE ME WANT TO CRY"
Anthony K. – San Diego, CA
"I have been dealing with back pain for several years. It got so bad that I had surgery 5 years ago for a bulging disc. About 5 months ago the disc bulged again hitting my sciatic nerve creating pain in my legs that made me want to cry it hurt so bad.
After trying so many other options I was fortunate enough to find The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.
After just a few sessions I noticed a difference. Now after being there for the past few months I'm able to go about my normal life again.
What a blessing it was to find a Dr that genuinely cares and knows how to help people in my situation.
Thank you Dr Boelk!"
NOT EVERY PATIENT IS A CANDIDATE
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Jeff J. – Tucson, AZ
"I met with the doctor and after an honest and forthright conversation, we both determined that surgery was my only option to correct my back issues.
I appreciated his honesty and professionalism."
SCHEDULE A NO-CHARGE CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE
If you're suffering from:
✔ Sciatica
✔ Buttock Pain
✔ Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Burning Leg Pain
✔ Herniated Discs
✔ Disc Bulges
and want to determine the true source of your symptoms, the first step is scheduling a consultation.
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center Of San Diego
Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 619-298-0800
✔ No-Charge Consultation
✔ 24/7 Live Answering Service
✔ Se Habla Español
Because Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC personally reviews imaging and determines candidacy, appointment availability is limited.