WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BULGING DISC AND A HERNIATED DISC? - SAN DIEGO, CA
"My MRI Says I Have A Bulging Disc. Should I Be Worried?"
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 San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Mission Valley, Tierrasanta and throughout Southern California come to our office carrying MRI reports filled with terminology they don't understand.
Many have already gone home and searched:
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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?
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.
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. 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."
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 material remains largely contained.
Many bulging discs cause:
✔ No Symptoms
✔ Mild Back Pain
✔ Intermittent Stiffness
✔ Occasional Flare-Ups
Some bulging discs may also contribute to:
✔ Sciatica
✔ Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Burning Sensations
One thing many patients are surprised to learn is that many people walk around with bulging discs and never know they have them.
This is why MRI findings should never be viewed in isolation.
Symptoms matter.
Examination findings matter.
Function matters.
WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?
A herniated disc generally represents a more advanced disc injury.
With a herniation, part of the inner disc material pushes through weakened outer fibers.
MRI reports may use terms such as:
✔ Disc Herniation
✔ Disc Protrusion
✔ Disc Extrusion
✔ Sequestered Disc
As the injury becomes more severe, the disc material may extend further outside the normal disc boundaries.
When this occurs, nearby nerves may become irritated.
Common symptoms may include:
✔ Sciatica
✔ Burning Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Weakness
✔ Difficulty Sitting
✔ Difficulty Driving
✔ Difficulty Sleeping
✔ Pain With Walking
This is often when patients finally decide they need help.
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.
Dr. Boelk has evaluated:
✔ Large Disc Extrusions With Minimal Pain
✔ Small Disc Bulges With Severe Sciatica
✔ Horrible Looking MRI's 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 only one piece of the puzzle.
CAN BOTH CAUSE SCIATICA?
Absolutely.
One of the most common misconceptions is that 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 of the biggest misconceptions patients have is believing discs heal like muscles.
They don't.
Unlike muscles and many other tissues in the body, 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.
Many eventually begin asking:
"Why Does This Keep Coming Back?"
"Why Isn't It Healing?"
"Will I Eventually Need Surgery?"
These are some of the most common questions we hear every day.
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.
Not every patient qualifies.
That is why every patient is carefully evaluated before recommendations are made.
WHY PATIENTS SEEK OUT DR. CASSIDY JAMES BOELK, DC
Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
✔ 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
✔ Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society
✔ Member, International Disc Education Association
✔ Nearly 22 Years Helping Patients Avoid Back & Neck Surgery
✔ 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
✔ One Of California's Largest Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Centers
✔ 7 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Tables
✔ 4 Lumbar DRX9000 Systems
✔ 3 Cervical Decompression Systems
✔ Patients Travel From Throughout California
✔ Patients Travel From Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Spain & The United Kingdom
✔ Focused Primarily On Disc Injuries, Sciatica, Neck Pain & Nerve Conditions
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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."
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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
One thing many patients appreciate 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 for care.
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."
SCHEDULE A NO-CHARGE CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE
If you've been diagnosed with:
✔ Bulging Disc
✔ Herniated Disc
✔ Disc Protrusion
✔ Disc Extrusion
✔ Sciatica
✔ Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
and would like an honest evaluation before making a treatment decision, 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
✔ Not Every Patient Is Accepted
Because Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC personally reviews imaging and determines candidacy, appointment availability is limited.
If we do not believe we can help, we will tell you.
If we believe you may be a candidate, we will explain your options so you can make an informed decision regarding your health.