WHY DOES MY BACK FEEL BETTER FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN FLARE UP AGAIN? – SAN DIEGO, CA
Understanding Why Back Pain, Sciatica, Disc Injuries & Nerve Pain Often Improve... Then Suddenly Return
One of the most frustrating things Dr. Cassidy Boelk hears from patients is:
"I thought I was getting better."
Many people describe a similar pattern:
✔ Their pain starts improving
✔ Their sciatica becomes less intense
✔ They sleep better
✔ They begin walking more
✔ They start feeling hopeful
Then suddenly...
The pain returns.
The sciatica flares up again.
The numbness comes back.
The burning pain down the leg returns.
And many patients immediately begin thinking:
"I guess nothing is working."
"Maybe I'll never get better."
"Did I re-injure myself?"
The reality is that recovery from many spinal conditions is rarely a straight line.
Especially when disc injuries, sciatica, nerve irritation, degenerative disc disease, or foraminal narrowing are involved.
Understanding why flare-ups occur may help reduce anxiety and help patients make more informed decisions about their recovery.
SCHEDULE A NO-CHARGE CONSULTATION
If you're suffering from:
✔ Chronic Low Back Pain
✔ Sciatica
✔ Herniated Disc
✔ Bulging Disc
✔ Degenerative Disc Disease
✔ Burning Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Neck Pain
Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC offers a No-Charge Consultation to help determine whether you may be a candidate for care.
During your consultation, Dr. Boelk may help you better understand:
✔ Why your symptoms may keep returning
✔ What your MRI findings actually mean
✔ Whether a disc injury may be involved
✔ Whether nerve irritation may be contributing to your symptoms
✔ Why previous treatments may or may not have helped
✔ Whether you may be a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
✔ Whether another option may be more appropriate
Because Dr. Boelk personally performs these consultations and reviews imaging himself, consultation availability is limited each week.
"LAST YEAR THE PAIN WAS UNBEARABLE"
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.
— Amanda, San Diego, CA
RECOVERY IS RARELY A STRAIGHT LINE
One of the biggest mistakes patients make is assuming that recovery should happen in a perfectly predictable fashion.
Pain often behaves differently.
Many patients experience:
✔ Good Days
✔ Bad Days
✔ Good Weeks
✔ Temporary Setbacks
✔ Flare-Ups
✔ Periods Of Rapid Improvement
✔ Periods Where Progress Seems Slow
This does not automatically mean something is wrong.
In fact, many patients who ultimately do very well experience multiple flare-ups during the healing process.
The important question is:
Are you gradually improving over time?
Or:
Are you simply stuck in the same cycle over and over again?
WHY FLARE-UPS HAPPEN
There are many possible reasons symptoms return.
Activity Increases Too Quickly
This is one of the most common causes.
Patients begin feeling better.
They return to:
✔ Golf
✔ Yard Work
✔ Travel
✔ Long Drives
✔ Lifting
✔ Exercise
Sometimes they simply do too much too soon.
The tissues may be improving but may not yet be fully capable of tolerating those activities.
Sitting Accumulates
Many patients do well while moving.
Then:
-
Long flights
-
Road trips
-
Work meetings
-
Sitting at a desk
begin to accumulate stress on the injured area.
Symptoms Calm Before Tissues Fully Recover
This is a big one.
Feeling better does not always mean the underlying problem has completely resolved.
Pain often improves before tissues finish adapting.
Many patients mistakenly assume:
No Pain = Fully Healed
Unfortunately, that is not always true.
"IT HURT SO BAD IT MADE ME WANT TO CRY"
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 and 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!
— Anthony K., San Diego, CA
5 THINGS YOU CAN DO IF YOUR BACK KEEPS FLARING UP
One thing patients appreciate is learning practical things they can begin doing immediately.
1. Look For Patterns
Do symptoms consistently worsen after:
-
Sitting?
-
Driving?
-
Golf?
-
Yard Work?
-
Travel?
Patterns often reveal valuable information.
2. Avoid The Boom-And-Bust Cycle
Many people rest until they feel better.
Then do too much.
Then flare up again.
Consistency is often better than extremes.
3. Continue Walking
Many disc patients tolerate walking remarkably well.
4. Stay Hydrated
Healthy discs depend heavily on fluid exchange.
5. Don't Panic Every Time Symptoms Increase
A flare-up does not automatically mean you have re-injured yourself.
Many patients experience temporary symptom increases during recovery.
WHY SOME DISC INJURIES TAKE LONGER THAN PEOPLE EXPECT
Many patients are surprised to learn that spinal discs have a limited blood supply.
Unlike muscles and many other tissues, discs rely heavily on:
✔ Movement
✔ Nutrient Exchange
✔ Oxygen Exchange
✔ Fluid Exchange
This is one reason some disc injuries may take months rather than weeks to fully calm down.
It is also one reason many patients experience periods of improvement followed by temporary setbacks.
WHY SOME PATIENTS SEEK NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION
Many patients seek consultation because they are looking for alternatives before considering injections or surgery.
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Boelk exclusively utilizes DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Systems.
The office currently operates:
✔ 4 Lumbar DRX9000 Systems
✔ 3 Cervical DRX9000 Systems
✔ 7 DRX9000 Systems Total
making it one of the largest Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression facilities in California.
Many patients seek evaluation to determine whether they may be a candidate for:
✔ Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD)
✔ DRX9000 Treatment
✔ Conservative Disc Care
before pursuing more invasive options.
Not every patient is a candidate.
This is one reason proper evaluation remains critical.
WHY DR. BOELK IS PASSIONATE ABOUT DISC INJURIES
At age 16, Dr. Boelk suffered a fractured L5 vertebra and later experienced significant disc injuries himself.
He understands firsthand:
✔ The Frustration Of Flare-Ups
✔ Fear Of Surgery
✔ Chronic Pain
✔ Setbacks During Recovery
✔ The Desire To Return To Sports And Activity
Those experiences ultimately inspired a career focused on helping patients suffering from spinal disc injuries explore non-surgical treatment options whenever appropriate.
Today Dr. Boelk is:
✔ Board-Certified Doctor of Chiropractic
✔ Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
✔ Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC)
✔ California X-Ray Radiation Supervisor & Operator
✔ Founder, Spinal Decompression Training Academy
✔ Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society
✔ Member, International Disc Education Association
✔ More Than 22 Years Of Clinical Experience
✔ More Than 100,000 Spinal Decompression Treatments Performed
Doctors now travel from around the country to learn spinal decompression protocols and patient selection through the Spinal Decompression Training Academy.
"I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY I DID NOT HAVE SURGERY"
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.
— Calder Pearce, San Diego, CA
NOT EVERY PATIENT IS A CANDIDATE
One thing many patients appreciate about Dr. Boelk is honesty.
Not every patient qualifies.
Not every patient can avoid surgery.
And not every patient should undergo spinal decompression treatment.
One consultation patient shared:
"Very nice Dr. and Honest! I would definitely recommend anyone who hasn't had metal put in there back in a surgery to go to him and give his program a shot. I believe it would definitely help. Just not in my personal case. As I have a lot of hardware in my back. But I'm glad I took the time to meet with him. It was very informative all around."
— Toni W., Lake Elsinore, CA
SCHEDULE A NO-CHARGE CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE
📞 619-298-0800
📍 5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
If your back pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, or disc-related symptoms seem to improve for a few days only to return again, the first step is determining what may actually be causing the cycle.
Because Dr. Boelk personally performs consultations and many patients travel from throughout California, the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe seeking his expertise, appointment availability is limited and consultations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.