Spondylolisthesis Treatment – La Jolla, CA

 

Lasting Relief Without Surgery**

 

Spondylolisthesis can create a constant battle between pain, stiffness, leg symptoms, and fear of making things worse. Many La Jolla residents come to our clinic after trying physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, stretching programs, injections, or medications—yet continue to struggle with flare-ups that interrupt work, exercise, sleep, and daily life.

 

At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, patients seek out Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC because he combines unmatched expertise with something rare: he has the condition himself—a stable Grade II L5–S1 spondylolisthesis—and has spent more than 21 yearsdeveloping a system that helps patients avoid surgery and restore true spinal stability.

 

⭐ A Doctor Who Has Spondylolisthesis and Built a System That Works

At age 16, Dr. Boelk suffered a severe spinal injury that resulted in an L5–S1 Grade II spondylolisthesis. Specialists warned him surgery was likely. Instead, he designed a long-term plan combining spinal decompression, targeted stability training, hip and core mobility work, and precise biomechanical corrections.

Now, more than two decades later, he continues to surf, work out, play hockey, golf, snowboard, and stay active with his family while treating patients with the same condition he has lived with himself.

 

This firsthand understanding shapes the protocols he uses daily to help patients in La Jolla regain strength, movement, and confidence—without surgical intervention.

 

What Is Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one beneath it.
This can cause:

• Lower back pain
• Tightness or sharp pain in the glutes or hamstrings
• Sciatic symptoms (pain, tingling, numbness) down one or both legs
• Difficulty standing or walking long distances
• Relief when bending forward or sitting
• Catching or sharp pain with certain movements

 

While some severe cases require surgery, most can be managed very successfully without it—especially when the stabilizing muscles, discs, and movement patterns are correctly addressed.

 

Why Patients in La Jolla Trust This Approach

Below is the first of four real, full-length testimonials placed naturally throughout the article.

 

⭐ Testimonial – Erin Turk (California)

“Dr. Boelk & his staff are by far the BEST at spinal decompression. I walked into his office unable to sit to do my job, where I was having to lay each day & within a couple of weeks he helped me with being able to sit again. His attention to you & the way he will make you feel is unparalleled. First of all, he has suffered from some severe back issues, so his empathy is very high. Secondly, he is extremely caring & genuinely wants to help people.

I’ve never worked with a doctor who has cared as much and made me feel like I was his only patient before. There would be four people there at the same time, and he still made me feel this way. I cannot thank him enough & cannot recommend him enough. He is an angel on earth.”

 

Summary: Erin arrived unable to sit or work due to pain. Within weeks she regained function and describes Dr. Boelk’s empathy and individualized care as unmatched.

 

How Dr. Boelk Treats Spondylolisthesis Without Surgery

▶ 1. DRX9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

This FDA-cleared system reduces pressure inside the discs, calms irritated nerves, and allows natural healing to begin. Research from Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Duke Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic supports the decompression principles used.

 

▶ 2. Core & Pelvic Stabilization System

This is the same method Dr. Boelk used to stabilize his own spine. It targets the multifidus, TVA, and deep spinal stabilizers essential for long-term relief.

 

▶ 3. Hip & Mobility Restoration

Tight hips and limited mobility increase stress on the lower back. Improving movement patterns dramatically reduces flare-ups.

 

▶ 4. Strength Progression That Doesn’t “Irritate” the Spine

Patients are guided through careful, progressive strengthening to maintain long-term stability.

 

▶ 5. Daily Movement Coaching

Patients learn how to sit, stand, bend, lift, drive, and work out safely. These strategies eliminate triggers that worsen spondylolisthesis.

 

⭐ Testimonial – Michael Langsdale (August 5, 2025)

“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.

 

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 also noticed how attentive everyone is.

I look forward to my visits and can honestly say it’s worth every penny for the relief it’s given me… Definitely worth the investment! Thank you!!”

 

Summary: Michael had tried other clinics without results. With the DRX9000 protocol, his sciatica resolved and relief began immediately after the first session.

 

What You Can Start Doing at Home Today

These steps are safe for most spondylolisthesis patients:

• Abdominal bracing to activate stabilizers
• Gentle child’s pose for nerve relief
• Hip flexor stretching to reduce lumbar shear
• Avoid deep back extension
• Use heat for stiffness / ice for inflammation
•  

The real improvement comes from individualized evaluation and targeted treatment—but these tips can help reduce daily irritation.

 

⭐ Testimonial – Kaitelyn Hammond

“The care I received at Dr. Boelk’s office was so wonderful. I went from having to lay down for several hours a day, to being able to live my life normally, and even began working up my exercise capacity.

I always felt cared about, and there was a lot of feedback. The exercise and information Dr. Boelk provides is so critical to maintaining positive results and pain reduction with increased mobility and freedom. All the staff are so caring, and it’s one of the best decisions I made for my back!”

 

Summary: Kaitelyn went from being unable to function for several hours a day to returning to normal activity and improved mobility with long-term guidance.

 

Why La Jolla Patients Choose Dr. Boelk

Patients repeatedly mention that:

• He explains everything clearly
• He gives honest expectations
• He treats each patient as if they’re the only one
• He has lived with spondylolisthesis himself
• He delivers results that last
• His team is supportive, organized, and caring
• The DRX9000 machines make all the difference

 

Many patients from La Jolla, Pacific Beach, UTC, Del Mar, and Carmel Valley come specifically for his expertise—and others fly in from Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Mexico, Spain, and the U.K.

 

⭐ Testimonial – Calder Pearce

“Dr. Boelk and his team are the best in the business! I have had lower back problems for over 5 years and been to 6 other doctors seeking options other than surgery. I came in early January not able to bend and walking with a limp. By February I was able to bend again with minimal pain and by March I am now able to bend without any pain and am able to walk normally. I am EXTREMELY happy I did not have surgery and found Dr. Boelk. 

 

Trust him and the process and he will get you feeling better. He also said from the beginning that if at any stage in the process he felt like progress wasn't happening he would let me know which was not the case with other specialist I have seen in the past so I appreciate that.”

 

Summary: Calder improved dramatically over just a few months, progressing from limping and being unable to bend to walking normally and being pain-free—all after several doctors had recommended surgery.

 

Credentials & Experience

• Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic
• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
• California X-Ray Radiology Licensed Doctor
• Founder – Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy
• 75,000+ spinal decompression treatments performed
• 21 years specializing exclusively in decompression therapy
• Seven DRX9000 machines—the largest private provider in California
• Patients travel nationally and internationally for his care

 

Why You Should Not Wait

Because Dr. Boelk personally evaluates each case and oversees all DRX9000 programming, new patient openings each week are limited.
This ensures every patient receives the time, attention, and precision required for real, long-term improvement.

Spondylolisthesis often gets worse gradually. The sooner the spine is stabilized, the better the long-term outcome.

 

🔵 Schedule Your No-Charge Consultation — Serving La Jolla, CA

📞 619-298-0800
📱 619-884-8298
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com

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

Bring any MRI or X-ray for review—Dr. Boelk personally evaluates every case.