WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BULGING DISC AND A HERNIATED DISC? - KEARNY MESA, CA
Confused By Your MRI Report?
If you've recently had an MRI, there is a good chance you've seen terms like:
✔ Bulging Disc
✔ Herniated Disc
✔ Disc Protrusion
✔ Disc Extrusion
✔ Annular Tear
✔ Degenerative Disc Disease
And now you're wondering:
"What's The Difference?"
"Is A Herniated Disc Worse Than A Bulging Disc?"
"Do I Need Surgery?"
"Can A Bulging Disc Cause Sciatica?"
"Can A Herniated Disc Heal?"
"Should I Be Concerned?"
If you're confused, you're not alone.
Every week, patients from Kearny Mesa, Serra Mesa, Clairemont, Mission Valley, Tierrasanta, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch and throughout San Diego County come to our office carrying MRI reports filled with terminology they don't understand.
Many have already searched online for:
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Bulging Disc vs Herniated Disc
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What Is A Disc Extrusion?
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Do Herniated Discs Heal?
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Can A Bulging Disc Cause Sciatica?
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Do I Need Surgery?
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Best Herniated Disc Doctor Near Me
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Sciatica Treatment Kearny Mesa
The good news is this:
A Bulging Disc And A Herniated Disc Are NOT The Same Thing.
However...
Neither diagnosis automatically means surgery is necessary.
In fact, many people with bulging discs, herniated discs, disc protrusions, and even disc extrusions improve without surgery.
LOOKING FOR A HERNIATED DISC SPECIALIST NEAR KEARNY MESA?
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. Cassidy James Boelk, DC personally performs consultations and reviews imaging, appointment availability is limited.
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"I NEVER ENDED UP NEEDING THE SURGERY APPOINTMENT"
Amanda – San Diego, CA
"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 two 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."
WHY PATIENTS FROM KEARNY MESA SEEK OUT DR. CASSIDY JAMES BOELK, DC
Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
✔ Doctor Of Chiropractic
✔ Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
✔ Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC)
✔ 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 In Advanced Spinal Decompression Protocols
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center Of San Diego
✔ Located In The Heart Of Kearny Mesa
✔ One Of California's Largest Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Centers
✔ 7 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Tables
✔ 4 Lumbar DRX9000 Systems
✔ 3 Cervical Decompression Systems
✔ Largest Provider Of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression In California
✔ Patients Travel From Across The United States And Internationally
✔ Focused Primarily On Disc Injuries, Sciatica, Neck Pain & Nerve Conditions
WHAT IS A BULGING DISC?
Think of a spinal disc like a jelly donut.
A bulging disc occurs when the disc begins extending beyond its normal boundaries.
The outer fibers of the disc are generally still intact.
The disc may bulge outward, but the inner disc material remains largely contained.
Many bulging discs cause:
✔ No Symptoms
✔ Mild Back Pain
✔ Intermittent Stiffness
✔ Occasional Flare-Ups
However, some bulging discs may contribute to:
✔ Sciatica
✔ Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Burning Pain
✔ Difficulty Sitting
✔ Difficulty Driving
One thing many patients are surprised to learn is that many people have bulging discs and never know it.
This is why MRI findings alone rarely tell the whole story.
WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?
A herniated disc generally represents a more advanced disc injury.
With a herniated disc, part of the inner disc material pushes through weakened outer fibers of the disc.
MRI reports may use terms such as:
✔ Disc Herniation
✔ Disc Protrusion
✔ Disc Extrusion
✔ Sequestered Disc
As the injury becomes more severe, disc material may extend further outside the normal disc boundaries.
When that material irritates nearby nerves, symptoms may include:
✔ Sciatica
✔ Burning Leg Pain
✔ Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Weakness
✔ Difficulty Sitting
✔ Difficulty Driving
✔ Difficulty Sleeping
✔ Pain Walking
WHICH IS WORSE?
Generally speaking:
Disc Bulge → Disc Protrusion → Disc Herniation → Disc Extrusion → Sequestered Disc
represents increasing severity.
However...
This is where many patients become confused.
A larger MRI finding does not always mean worse symptoms.
Over the past two decades Dr. Boelk has evaluated:
✔ Large Disc Extrusions With Minimal Pain
✔ Small Disc Bulges With Severe Sciatica
✔ Severe MRI Findings With Mild Symptoms
✔ Mild MRI Findings With Severe Disability
This is why treatment recommendations should never be based solely on MRI findings.
The MRI is important.
But it is only one piece of the puzzle.
CAN BOTH CAUSE SCIATICA?
Absolutely.
One of the biggest misconceptions patients have is believing only herniated discs cause sciatica.
That is not true.
Both bulging discs and herniated discs may irritate spinal nerves.
Depending on the location and severity of the injury, symptoms may include:
✔ Pain Down The Leg
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Burning
✔ Weakness
✔ Calf Pain
✔ Hip Pain
✔ Difficulty Walking
✔ Difficulty Sitting
The symptom pattern often depends more on nerve involvement than on the MRI terminology itself.
WHY DO DISC INJURIES TAKE SO LONG TO HEAL?
One thing many patients in Kearny Mesa are surprised to learn is that spinal discs have very little blood supply.
Unlike muscles and many other tissues, discs do not receive abundant circulation.
This is one reason disc injuries can be frustratingly slow to heal.
Many patients experience:
Relief.
Then A Flare-Up.
Relief Again.
Then Another Setback.
For months—or even years.
This often leaves patients wondering:
"Why Does My Sciatica Keep Coming Back?"
"Why Isn't My Disc Healing?"
"Will I Eventually Need Surgery?"
These are some of the most common questions we hear every week.
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 healing environment while reducing symptoms.
Not every patient qualifies.
That is why every patient is carefully evaluated before recommendations are made.
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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."
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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 doctor that genuinely cares and knows how to help people in my situation.
Thank you Dr Boelk!"
NOT EVERY PATIENT IS A CANDIDATE
One thing many patients appreciate most about Dr. Boelk is honesty.
If he believes surgery is necessary, he will tell you.
If he believes you are not a candidate, he will tell you.
Not every patient qualifies.
And that's exactly how it should be.
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Jeff J. – Tucson, AZ
"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 an 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."
LOOKING FOR A BULGING DISC OR HERNIATED DISC SPECIALIST NEAR KEARNY MESA?
If you've been diagnosed with:
✔ Bulging Disc
✔ Herniated Disc
✔ Disc Protrusion
✔ Disc Extrusion
✔ Sciatica
✔ Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
The first step is determining exactly what is causing your symptoms and whether you may be a candidate for treatment.
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
Conveniently located in Kearny Mesa and serving:
✔ Kearny Mesa
✔ Serra Mesa
✔ Clairemont
✔ Mira Mesa
✔ Scripps Ranch
✔ Mission Valley
✔ Tierrasanta
✔ Poway
✔ Rancho Bernardo
✔ La Jolla
✔ Del Mar
✔ Greater San Diego
Schedule your No-Charge Consultation today to determine whether you may be a candidate.
Not every patient qualifies. If Dr. Boelk does not believe he can help, he will tell you.