Top 3 Things You Can Do for Sciatica Nerve Pain – San Diego, CA
If you're currently suffering from sciatica—burning, numbness, or radiating pain down your leg—you know just how limiting and frustrating it can be. While each case is different and should be assessed individually, here are three of the most important general guidelines that can help reduce your pain and promote long-term healing.
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, we’ve helped thousands of patients avoid back surgery and finally get relief—without drugs or injections. Our clinic is led by Dr. Cassidy Boelk DC, one of California’s most trusted non-surgical spinal decompression doctors. These tips are based on our experience with over 65,000 decompression sessions using the DRX9000.
#1 – Listen to Your Body (and Avoid the “Tipping Point”)Sciatica pain often increases with certain activities and decreases with others—but these vary from person to person.
👉 If sitting makes your pain worse, try to stand more throughout the day. Use a standing desk, stand while eating or taking calls, and avoid slouching.
👉 If sitting actually relieves pain, then it’s okay to sit more frequently—but still avoid prolonged periods of inactivity.
👉 If walking helps, do short walks. If it worsens your symptoms, hold off until further recovery.
The key is learning your tipping point—the moment when a movement or position starts to aggravate your symptoms. Consistently exceeding this threshold increases inflammation and delays healing. Recognizing and respecting that line is one of the most important things you can do.
#2 – Avoid Heat Sources (Most of the Time)Hot tubs, heating pads, and saunas may feel good initially, but they often lead to increased inflammation in the spinal disc and surrounding tissues.
That’s because disc-related pain is primarily inflammatory, and heat can stimulate pain fibers, making your condition worse over time—even if it provides temporary relief.
✅ A warm shower is usually the safest form of heat, as it helps relax muscles without deeply inflaming the disc area.
Avoid the temptation to “melt away” the pain with heat. Instead, focus on strategies that reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and promote healing.
#3 – Get the Right Diagnosis and Treatment PlanThe unfortunate truth is that most sciatica cases don’t fully resolve without proper intervention.
If your symptoms have lasted more than a few weeks to a few months, it’s time to take action.
At our clinic, we use Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) with the DRX9000 system—the most advanced spinal decompression technology available today. Backed by research from Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Duke Medical Center, and the Mayo Clinic, this machine gently relieves pressure on the affected disc, allowing it to rehydrate, heal, and take pressure off the nerve.
But here’s the truth:
Even the best machine is only as effective as the doctor using it.
Dr. Cassidy Boelk DC is a Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor and Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist with over two decades of experience helping people avoid surgery. Every patient is assessed individually, and treatment protocols are customized based on disc size, severity, weight, activity level, and more.
Unlike many clinics, Dr. Boelk personally evaluates every case and adjusts the treatment parameters himself—no cookie-cutter plans, no guessing, no delegating important clinical decisions to unqualified staff.
✅ What Patients Say“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.”
Calder Pearce, San Diego, CA,3/07/25
“I was so tired of being in pain and felt I had tried all resources. After two unsuccessful cortizone shots in my back (cash out of pocket) recommended by my primary care doctor who assured me that would do the trick, I began asking people about their experience with back surgery. Even my primary care doctor said it might have to be considered. I wanted to stay as far away from the knife as possible.
Sometimes Google is magic...I began to explore other options and found many useful information on spinal decompression. It is not a quick fix. Healing takes time and patience. I am so grateful I found Dr. Boelk and staff at the Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Center. Of course his 5 star reviews intrigued me. (and he deserves every one of those 5 star reviews).
After a consultation where I never felt rushed and I FELT HEARD I decided to commit to a treatment plan. I am now pain free after 18 treatments. I plan to continue a maintenance routine as part of my self care goals moving forward and I'm finally feeling zero discomfort. No meds. Just commiting to Dr. Boelk's recommended treatment plan.”
-Marlo Surovsky, San Diego, CA
“I travel from the UK to see Dr Boelk and his wonderful team . I have 3 bulging disc and one is touching the nerve. I have the spinal decompression treatment and it really helps keep me in my active life . I will not go to anyone else for back treatment, this place is number one and they genuinely care about their patients.”
-Lisa S. United Kingdom
“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!” -Kaitelyn H, San Diego, CA
📍 Take the First Step Toward Lasting Relief
If you’re suffering from sciatica, we’d love to help. Let’s determine if you're a candidate for our program. There's no cost, no pressure, and no obligation to find out if we can help.
📍 Kearny Mesa, San Diego, CA 📞 Call: 619-298-0800 📲 Text: 619-884-8298 🌐 Visit: www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
🛑 No Surgery. No Injections. No Guesswork. Just Results.We’re here when you’re ready. Let’s get you back to doing the things you love—without sciatic nerve pain.