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What Happens If I Delay Back Surgery? – San Diego, CA
When Waiting Is Appropriate—and When It May Not Be
If you’ve been told you may need back surgery, one of the most common concerns is:
👉 “What happens if I wait?”
Should you:
- move forward right away?
- try conservative treatment first?
- risk making things worse by delaying?
The answer is not the same for everyone.
👉 In some cases, waiting is completely reasonable
👉 In other cases, delaying surgery may not be appropriate
The key is understanding which situation you’re in.
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC helps patients determine whether they may be candidates for non-surgical treatment first, or whether surgery is truly necessary.
Real Patient Experience – Trying to Avoid Surgery First
“For the first time in 10 years, I am totally pain free. My sciatica is gone and I have no more back pain! I've tried other chiropractic procedures, acupuncture, pain killing drugs, and other type therapies that just did not work. I was one step before back surgery, until I discovered Dr. Boelk's therapy and his procedure, and it's a miracle! My office visits were always so relaxing and comfortable, there was never any pain involved with the therapy. Dr. Boelk and Patty are so welcoming and warm and ready to explain everything that's going on. They both take such good care of you! Thank you Dr. Boelk and Patty!”
— Toni H., San Diego, CA
Summary: After years of failed treatments and being close to surgery, Toni delayed surgery, pursued non-surgical care, and ultimately became pain free.
When Delaying Back Surgery May Be Appropriate
For many patients, it is reasonable to delay surgery when:
- symptoms are stable (not worsening rapidly)
- there is no progressive neurological loss
- strength is maintained
- pain is manageable (even if uncomfortable)
- there are still conservative options to try
In these cases, non-surgical treatment may:
- reduce disc pressure
- decrease nerve irritation
- improve function
- allow the body to recover naturally
Real Patient Experience – Severe Sciatica Without Surgery
“Dr. Boelk has been a life saver. Have had constant lower back and sciatica pain for over 8 plus months, no pills helped and on track for multiple shots but with the treatment given I have found relief and down to zero pain. As a firefighter that relies on his body to help others and the results I have experienced it's totally worth looking into what Dr. Boelk can do for you.”
— Joshua T., San Diego, CA
Summary: Despite severe sciatica and ongoing symptoms, Joshua delayed more aggressive treatment and experienced full relief without surgery.
When Delaying Surgery May NOT Be Appropriate
There are situations where waiting is not advised.
These may include:
- progressive weakness in the leg or arm
- worsening neurological symptoms
- loss of coordination
- severe nerve compression
- loss of bowel or bladder control
In these cases:
👉 surgery may be necessary sooner rather than later
This is why a proper evaluation is critical.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long?
This is where many patients feel uncertain.
In some cases, delaying surgery too long may lead to:
- increased nerve irritation
- longer recovery time
- chronic compensation patterns
- worsening movement dysfunction
However…
👉 Not all delays are harmful
👉 Many patients improve without surgery when managed correctly
The key is monitoring the condition properly.
Real Patient Experience – Severe Functional Limitations
“I had really bad back problems to the point I couldn’t sleep, also had pain radiating along the sciatic nerve which ran down one leg from the lower back—caused by an accident.
I came in and talked to Dr. Cassidy about my back problems. He evaluated me and mentioned I was a good candidate for this treatment. After the first 2 decompression sessions my sciatic pain was gone and we were able to work on the root of the problem. I did a total of 24 sessions, after which I was able to start rehabilitation training to strengthen my core.
The office is super nice and the staff’s customer service is above and beyond.
Back and neck issues are horrible to live with—trust me, I know firsthand. I gained weight, took pain killers, went into depression, and had major anxiety. I’m over it now—feeling better, walking, sleeping well, and starting to have a better social life as well.
The experience for me has been nothing but excellent. Dr. Cassidy Boelk is hands down amazing—super glad I came here.”
— Abel T., San Diego, CA
Summary: Despite severe symptoms affecting sleep, mobility, and quality of life, Abel delayed surgery, pursued treatment, and experienced major improvement.
The Role of Non-Surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatment focuses on:
- reducing pressure on discs
- decreasing nerve irritation
- restoring movement
- improving stability
At our office, this is done through:
👉 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (DRX9000)
👉 combined with targeted rehabilitation
With:
- 7 DRX9000 units
- over 100,000 decompression treatments performed
- fully customized protocols
Dr. Boelk is a:
- Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
- Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
- Founder of the Spinal Decompression Training Academy
Real Patient Experience – Failed Other Care Before Surgery Consideration
“Had terrible low back pain last year, had gone with a traditional chiropractor but didn’t feel it was doing much. Went to this place and after talking to Dr Boelk decided to try spinal decompression therapy. After 3 session my pain was almost completely gone.
The staff is very professional and friendly. A big plus is how you get to go at your appointment time instead of waiting.
I would say the only negative is that is not covered by insurance so you have to pay out of pocket but it you can afford it is 100% worth it.”
— Edgar R., San Diego, CA
Summary: After limited results with traditional care, Edgar improved quickly with decompression treatment, reducing the need to pursue more aggressive options.
Not Everyone Can Delay Surgery
This is extremely important.
Some patients:
- need surgery
- are not candidates for decompression
- require additional medical intervention
Real Patient Experience – When Surgery Was Necessary
“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 a 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.”
— Jeff J., Tucson, AZ
Summary: Jeff sought to delay surgery, but after evaluation, it was determined that surgery was the most appropriate option for his condition.
So… Should You Wait?
It depends on:
- your symptoms
- how they are progressing
- your level of function
- your response to treatment
- your overall condition
👉 This is not something to guess on.
Schedule a No-Charge Consultation – San Diego, CA
If you’ve been told you may need back surgery but are unsure whether to move forward or explore other options first…
the first step is determining:
- what is actually causing your symptoms
- whether disc or nerve pressure is involved
- whether you are a candidate for treatment
- and whether delaying surgery is appropriate in your case
A no-charge consultation is available for this purpose.
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 Office: 619-298-0800
📱 Call/Text: 619-884-8298
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
✔ 24/7 answering service
✔ Hablamos Español
Please note:
All consultations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure adequate time for proper evaluation.