What Is the Best Treatment for a Herniated Disc Without Surgery? – Poway, CA

What Can You Do for a Herniated Disc Before Considering Surgery?

A herniated disc can change everyday life surprisingly quickly. Sitting through a workday becomes difficult. Driving starts aggravating the leg. Sleep gets interrupted. Exercise stops. Some patients reach the point where simply putting on their shoes or getting out of a chair becomes something they have to think about.

Then an MRI comes back showing a herniated disc, and the conversation may turn to injections or surgery.

But those are not necessarily the only options.

Many herniated discs are initially treated without surgery. Depending on the condition, conservative care may include medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, activity modification, chiropractic care when appropriate, epidural injections, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, or a combination of treatments.

The more important issue is determining why the patient is still hurting and whether the disc seen on the MRI actually explains the symptoms.

Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC has spent more than 22 years evaluating and treating difficult disc-related conditions. One thing he has seen repeatedly is that the MRI diagnosis alone does not determine the treatment. The location of the herniation, nerve involvement, weakness or numbness, spinal stability, previous treatment, previous surgery, and the way symptoms behave all need to be considered.

Poway Patients Can Start With a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation

Patients from Poway who are dealing with a herniated disc, sciatica, or another disc-related problem can schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.

Patients who already have MRI images, X-rays, or reports are encouraged to bring them. Dr. Boelk personally reviews available imaging and compares what he sees with the patient's symptoms and history. An MRI is not required simply to schedule the consultation.

The consultation gives patients an opportunity to discuss:

• Where the pain is located

• Whether it travels into an arm or leg

• Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness

• How and when the symptoms began

• What happens with sitting, driving, walking, or standing

• Whether the problem interferes with sleep

• Previous injuries or spinal surgery

• Physical therapy, injections, medication, chiropractic care, or other treatment already attempted

• Existing MRI or X-ray findings

• Whether additional evaluation or imaging may be necessary

• Whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression appears to be an option

• Questions about the DRX9000, treatment, and rehabilitation

There is no obligation to begin treatment. The purpose of the consultation is to get a better understanding of the problem and determine what the next reasonable step may be.

Call 619-298-0800 to schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation.

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123

Phone: 619-298-0800
www.SanDiegoBackCare.com

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

“I Was One Step Before Back Surgery”

Toni had been dealing with sciatica and back pain for years. She had already tried chiropractic care, acupuncture, medication, and other therapies before coming to Dr. Boelk.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Toni H. — San Diego, CA

“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

Toni's story is similar to what brings many patients into the office. They are not necessarily looking for a quick fix. They are often looking for another reasonable option because the treatments they have already tried have not gotten them where they want to be.

The MRI Is Important, but It Isn't the Whole Diagnosis

Patients sometimes become understandably focused on the wording in their MRI report. Terms such as “herniation,” “extrusion,” “nerve impingement,” and “severe foraminal stenosis” can sound frightening.

The MRI is important, but it needs context.

Dr. Boelk personally reviews available MRI images because the location of the disc injury can be just as important as its size. He then compares those findings with the patient's symptoms.

For example, a lumbar disc problem may cause pain in the lower back, but it can also irritate a spinal nerve and create symptoms farther down the leg. Depending on which nerve is involved, a patient may notice pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the buttock, thigh, calf, ankle, foot, or toes.

Some patients actually have very little back pain. The leg is what brings them into the office.

That is why simply treating the area that hurts is not always enough. The source of the symptoms may be somewhere else.

What Has Already Been Tried?

This is another important part of evaluating a chronic disc problem.

If someone injured their back last week and is already getting better, the appropriate approach may be very conservative. There may be no reason to complicate the situation.

On the other hand, consider someone who has been dealing with sciatica for six months. They have already tried medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and an injection. They still cannot sit comfortably, sleep through the night, or exercise.

That is a very different situation.

Previous treatment is useful information even when it did not work. Dr. Boelk wants to know what was tried, how long it was tried, whether it helped at all, and what made the symptoms better or worse. Those answers can help determine what should happen next.

Why Sitting Can Be Worse Than Walking

A common complaint with lumbar disc injuries is that sitting hurts more than walking.

Some patients can walk around the neighborhood but cannot sit through a 30-minute drive. Others feel reasonably good in the morning and progressively worse after several hours behind a desk.

Sitting changes the mechanics of the lumbar spine and can place stress on an already irritated disc. Driving can add vibration while keeping the spine in essentially the same position.

Patients who notice this pattern may benefit from breaking up prolonged sitting. Getting out of the chair periodically, walking for a few minutes, and changing position can be better tolerated than staying seated for hours.

Patients should also be careful about assuming that every painful or “tight” leg needs aggressive stretching. With sciatica, some of that sensation can come from an irritated nerve. Repeatedly pulling hard on an already sensitive nerve may aggravate symptoms rather than relieve them.

Where Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Fit In

Rehabilitation is important for many disc injuries, particularly when the goal is returning to normal activity and reducing the chance of repeatedly aggravating the same problem.

A patient eventually has to be able to sit, stand, bend, lift, work, travel, exercise, and do the things that are part of normal life.

The timing of rehabilitation matters, however. Someone with an extremely irritated nerve may have difficulty tolerating certain exercises early on. If every rehabilitation session produces a significant flare-up, the treatment plan may need to be modified rather than simply pushing harder.

As symptoms improve, strengthening, movement, spinal stability, and gradually increasing activity become increasingly important.

When Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression May Be Considered

Dr. Boelk uses Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression primarily for appropriately selected patients with disc-related spinal conditions, including:

• Herniated discs

• Bulging discs

• Disc protrusions

• Certain disc extrusions

• Degenerative disc disease

• Disc-related sciatica

• Certain cases of foraminal narrowing

• Certain cases of spinal stenosis

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego exclusively uses DRX9000 spinal decompression systems.

The treatment applies controlled decompression and relaxation cycles to a targeted area of the spine. Rather than using one standard setting for every patient, Dr. Boelk considers the spinal level, treatment angle, body size, positioning, starting force, location of symptoms, patient tolerance, and response from previous sessions.

The machine matters, but so does the person deciding how and when to use it.

A Firefighter With Eight Months of Sciatica

Joshua T. came to the office after dealing with constant lower-back and sciatic pain for more than eight months. Medication had not helped, and he was headed toward multiple injections.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Joshua T. — San Diego, CA

“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

For an active patient, getting the pain under control is only part of the objective. The spine eventually needs to tolerate the physical demands of work, exercise, sports, and everyday life again.

Why Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC

Patients with difficult disc problems often start looking for a more specialized opinion after they have already tried several forms of care or have been told that an injection or surgery may be next.

Dr. Boelk's practice has been heavily focused on these cases for more than two decades. Patients seek him out because of the depth of experience behind the treatment, including:

• More than 22 years helping patients with difficult disc-related spinal conditions

• More than 100,000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression treatments performed

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist

• Founder of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy in San Diego

• Trains other doctors in Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression protocols and techniques

• Founding Member of the American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member of the International Disc Education Association

• California X-Ray Radiation Supervisor & Operator

• Personally reviews available MRI studies when appropriate

• Seven DRX9000 systems dedicated to cervical and lumbar spinal decompression

Dr. Boelk also brings a perspective that comes from dealing with significant neck and lower-back injuries himself. He has spent thousands of hours working through his own rehabilitation as well as helping patients return from spinal injuries. That experience is one reason the office places so much emphasis on what happens after pain begins improving—strength, movement, stability, and getting patients back to the activities they care about.

Seven DRX9000 Systems in One San Diego Office

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego has four lumbar DRX9000 systems and three cervical DRX9000C systems.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is not an occasional treatment offered alongside dozens of unrelated services. It is one of the main focuses of the practice.

That experience also means knowing when not to use it.

Some Patients Travel Thousands of Miles for Treatment

Poway patients are within driving distance of the Kearny Mesa office, but not everyone who seeks out Dr. Boelk lives nearby. Patients have traveled from other states and countries for his experience with difficult disc-related conditions.

Lisa S. travels from the United Kingdom.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lisa S. — United Kingdom

“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

Not Every Patient Should Have Spinal Decompression

A good candidacy evaluation has to include the possibility that the answer is no.

There are conditions and circumstances where Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may not be appropriate. These can include:

• Unstable spondylolisthesis

• Certain spinal fractures

• Significant osteoporosis

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Pregnancy for lumbar treatment

• Certain malignancies

• Certain surgical hardware at the treatment level

• Progressive neurological weakness

• Cauda equina syndrome

• Other conditions that could make treatment unsafe

There are also situations where the available information simply isn't enough. Dr. Boelk may want additional imaging or another specialist's opinion before making a recommendation.

And there are patients who need surgery.

Jeff Came From Tucson Looking for an Option — and Was Told He Needed Surgery

Jeff J. found Dr. Boelk's office through social media and traveled from Tucson to have his back evaluated. After reviewing the situation and having a direct conversation about his options, Dr. Boelk and Jeff determined that surgery was the appropriate choice.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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 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

This is an important part of what a consultation should accomplish. The goal is not to find a reason to treat everyone. It is to determine whether the treatment being considered is actually appropriate for that patient.

When a Herniated Disc Should Not Wait

Most herniated discs are not emergencies, but certain symptoms require prompt medical evaluation. These include new bowel or bladder dysfunction, difficulty beginning urination, numbness around the groin or saddle area, rapidly progressing muscle weakness, or sudden difficulty controlling one or both legs.

These symptoms can indicate significant neurological involvement and should not be managed by simply waiting to see whether conservative treatment helps.

What Should a Poway Patient Do Next?

If a herniated disc is making it difficult to sit, drive, sleep, work, walk, exercise, or enjoy normal activities, the first step is getting a clearer understanding of the problem.

Patients who already have MRI images, X-rays, or reports should bring them. Dr. Boelk will review what has already been tried, how the symptoms behave, whether the imaging matches the clinical picture, and whether additional evaluation is needed.

From there, the question is fairly straightforward: Does this look like a condition that can reasonably continue to be treated conservatively, and is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression an appropriate option to consider?

Schedule a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation

The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123

Phone: 619-298-0800
www.SanDiegoBackCare.com

Live 24/7 Answering Service • Hablamos Español

Patients from Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Scripps Ranch, and throughout San Diego County can call 619-298-0800 to schedule an available No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC.