Who Is a Good Candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression? San Diego,CA

One of the most common questions Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC hears from patients is:

“How do I know if I’m actually a candidate for spinal decompression?”

It’s a good question because Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is not a treatment that should simply be recommended to everyone with back pain or neck pain.

At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Boelk evaluates each patient individually. He looks at the symptoms, examination findings, health history, previous treatment, and MRI or X-rays when available before determining whether decompression makes sense.

Some patients are excellent candidates.

Some need additional imaging or evaluation before a decision can be made.

And some are simply not candidates for spinal decompression at all.

After more than 22 years working with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and more than 100,000 treatments performed, Dr. Boelk considers knowing who not to treat just as important as knowing how to treat the patients he accepts.

Who May Be a Good Candidate for Spinal Decompression?

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is most commonly considered when there is a disc-related or degenerative spinal condition that may be contributing to the patient's symptoms.

Dr. Boelk commonly evaluates patients with:

• Herniated discs

• Bulging or protruding discs

• Sciatica

• Lumbar radiculopathy

• Cervical radiculopathy

• Degenerative disc disease

• Discogenic lower-back pain

• Disc-related neck pain

• Foraminal narrowing or stenosis in selected cases

• Spinal stenosis in selected cases

• Chronic lower-back or neck pain associated with disc problems

• Some cases of stable spondylolisthesis

• Selected patients who have continued pain after previous spinal surgery

The diagnosis alone, however, doesn't determine candidacy.

Two patients can walk into the office with MRI reports that both say “L4-L5 disc herniation” and still have completely different treatment recommendations.

The location of the herniation matters. The symptoms matter. Neurological findings matter. Spinal stability matters. Previous surgery matters. The patient's overall health matters.

That is why Dr. Boelk does not recommend spinal decompression simply because an MRI report contains the words “bulging disc” or “herniated disc.”

A Herniated Disc With Sciatica Is a Common Reason Patients Come In

Anthony K. had previously undergone surgery for a bulging disc. Years later, he developed another disc problem with severe sciatic nerve pain into his legs.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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 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

Previous surgery does not automatically qualify or disqualify someone for decompression. Dr. Boelk needs to know what procedure was performed, what level was treated, whether hardware is present, where the current problem is located and what the current imaging shows.

Find Out Whether You May Be a Candidate

Dr. Boelk offers a No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation for patients who want to find out whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be appropriate.

If you have an MRI, bring the actual images and report if possible. Previous X-rays, surgical reports and other relevant imaging can also be helpful.

During the consultation, Dr. Boelk will want to understand:

• Where your pain starts and where it travels

• Whether you have numbness, tingling or burning

• Whether there is weakness

• How sitting, standing, walking and driving affect you

• Whether the problem is interfering with sleep

• How long you have had the condition

• How the problem started

• Previous spinal injuries or surgeries

• Treatments you have already tried

• What helped and what didn't

• What you are trying to get back to doing

If you don't have imaging, you can still schedule a consultation. Dr. Boelk can determine whether additional evaluation or imaging may be appropriate.

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

What Makes Someone a Better Candidate?

There isn't a single checklist that guarantees someone will respond to spinal decompression, but there are certain things Dr. Boelk looks for during an evaluation.

A patient may be a better candidate when the symptoms and imaging appear to fit together.

For example, a patient may have an L4-L5 or L5-S1 disc herniation along with lower-back pain and symptoms traveling into the leg in a pattern that makes sense with the affected nerve.

Another patient may have a cervical disc problem along with neck pain, shoulder or arm pain, numbness or tingling into the hand.

Dr. Boelk also wants to understand what has already been tried.

Many patients who come to the office have already gone through some combination of:

• Chiropractic treatment

• Physical therapy

• Home exercises

• Anti-inflammatory or pain medication

• Massage

• Acupuncture

• Epidural steroid injections

• Activity modification

• Rest

Not responding to one of these treatments doesn't automatically make someone a candidate for decompression, but it helps Dr. Boelk understand the history of the problem and what has or hasn't worked.

Does the MRI Have to Look Terrible?

No.

Patients sometimes assume they need to have a huge disc herniation to qualify for treatment.

That isn't how Dr. Boelk evaluates it.

A smaller disc protrusion located in exactly the wrong place can irritate a nerve and produce significant symptoms. Another patient may have several abnormal-looking discs on an MRI but relatively little pain.

Dr. Boelk reviews the imaging to see whether the location of the problem makes sense with the patient's symptoms and examination findings.

He is also looking at more than just the disc.

Depending on the patient, spinal alignment, instability, degeneration, previous surgery and how the spine moves may also be important. This is one reason weight-bearing X-rays and flexion-extension views may sometimes be useful in addition to an MRI.

What About Sciatica?

Sciatica is one of the most common reasons patients seek out Dr. Boelk's office.

Sciatic symptoms may include:

• Pain into the glute

• Pain traveling down one leg

• Burning or electrical pain

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Symptoms into the calf or foot

• Difficulty sitting

• Difficulty driving

• Difficulty sleeping

• Weakness in the leg or foot

When those symptoms are being caused by a lumbar disc problem that is irritating or compressing a nerve, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be considered.

The important part is determining why the patient has sciatica in the first place.

Sciatica describes a pattern of symptoms. It doesn't tell Dr. Boelk exactly what structure is causing them.

What About Spinal Stenosis?

This requires more individual evaluation.

“Stenosis” simply means narrowing. The narrowing may be in the central spinal canal or in the openings where the nerves exit the spine.

Some patients with stenosis may be candidates for decompression, particularly when disc changes are contributing to the loss of space around a nerve.

Other cases may be too advanced, unstable or complicated for this type of treatment.

Dr. Boelk reviews the imaging and symptoms before making that determination rather than assuming that everyone with stenosis should be treated the same way.

What About Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease is extremely common, particularly as people get older.

The disc may lose hydration and height over time. That can alter the mechanics of the spinal segment and may contribute to narrowing around the nerves.

Some patients with degenerative disc disease are candidates for spinal decompression.

Others have degeneration on their imaging that isn't actually the primary reason they hurt.

Again, the MRI needs to be considered along with the patient.

What About Someone Who Has Already Had Back Surgery?

This depends heavily on what surgery was performed.

Previous spinal surgery does not automatically mean someone cannot receive decompression, but Dr. Boelk is considerably more cautious with these cases.

He needs to know:

• What surgery was performed

• Which spinal level was involved

• Whether hardware is present

• Where the hardware is located

• Whether a fusion was performed

• Where the current symptoms are coming from

• What the current MRI and X-rays show

Certain surgical hardware at the level that would need to be treated can make a patient inappropriate for decompression.

Some Patients Come From Outside San Diego

Mercedes Bautista traveled from El Centro after learning she had a bulging disc and degenerative changes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mercedes Bautista — El Centro, CA

“Hi my name is Mercedes Bautista. I found out about this treatment on the internet and I came because I was searching for a doctor for my friend. I have always had low back problems, so Dr. Boelk suggested that I have an MRI done. I decided to go ahead and do it and what I found out was astonishing. Dr. Boelk told me I had a bulging disc and that my discs were dehydrated. I went home very surprised and even scared.

That night with my husband I cried. My husband and I both talked about it and decided that the finances were worth getting my back fixed. The next thing we had to figure out was how I was going to get here, because I live in El Centro.

So we decided we were going to rent a car and I travel here 4 times a week. The girls here are wonderful and very awesome. They make you feel like family, it’s an extremely relaxing environment. I feel better and I have recommended this treatment to my family and friends. Thank You!”

— Mercedes Bautista, Age 42, El Centro, CA

Who Is NOT a Good Candidate for Spinal Decompression?

This part is every bit as important as discussing who may benefit.

There are conditions where lumbar or cervical spinal decompression may be inappropriate or where additional medical evaluation is needed first.

These can include:

• An unstable spondylolisthesis

• An unhealed spinal fracture

• Significant osteoporosis

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Pregnancy for lumbar decompression

• Certain malignancies

• Certain surgical hardware at the level being treated

• Progressive neurological weakness

• Cauda equina syndrome

• Other medical or structural conditions that could make treatment unsafe

Age by itself isn't the deciding factor. Dr. Boelk has treated active older adults and younger patients with disc injuries, but bone quality, spinal stability, medical history and the actual condition being treated are more important than simply looking at someone's birthday.

Sometimes Dr. Boelk Tells a Patient Not to Do Decompression

One of the best examples comes from Toni W., who traveled from Lake Elsinore to have Dr. Boelk evaluate her back.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Toni W. — Lake Elsinore, CA

“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

Dr. Boelk didn't recommend treatment simply because Toni had made the trip to see him.

Her surgical history and hardware changed the decision.

That is how the candidacy process is supposed to work.

There Are Also Times When a Surgical Opinion Is Appropriate

Jeff J. traveled from Tucson after researching Dr. Boelk's office.

His evaluation led to a very different recommendation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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

The objective of the consultation isn't to find a reason to put every patient on a decompression table.

It's to determine the most appropriate next step.

Symptoms That Need More Urgent Evaluation

Someone experiencing routine back pain or sciatica can generally schedule an evaluation normally.

Certain neurological symptoms should be handled differently.

Seek prompt medical attention for:

• New bowel or bladder dysfunction

• Difficulty urinating

• Numbness around the groin or saddle region

• Rapidly progressing leg weakness

• Sudden loss of control of a leg or foot

These are not symptoms to wait on while trying another exercise, stretch or routine decompression treatment.

Why Experience With Spinal Decompression Matters

Dr. Boelk has worked with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression for more than 22 years and has performed more than 100,000 decompression treatments.

His background includes:

• Doctor of Chiropractic

• Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor

• Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist

• Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy

• Trains other doctors in spinal decompression protocols and techniques

• Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society

• Member, International Disc Education Association

• California X-ray radiography credentials

The San Diego office exclusively uses the DRX9000 and has seven systems—four lumbar and three cervical.

Dr. Boelk also has a personal history with spinal injury. He suffered an L5 compression fracture at age 16 and later dealt with disc injuries and sciatica himself.

That combination of personal experience and more than two decades treating spinal conditions has shaped a fairly simple philosophy:

First determine whether the patient belongs on the decompression table. Then determine how that patient should be treated.

How Do You Find Out If You're a Candidate?

You don't need to diagnose yourself first.

If you've been told you have a herniated disc, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, stenosis or another spinal condition—or you simply have persistent back or neck symptoms and don't know what is causing them—you can bring the information you have and sit down with Dr. Boelk.

Bring your MRI images, X-rays and reports if available.

During the No-Charge, No-Obligation Consultation, Dr. Boelk can review your situation and discuss whether Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may be an appropriate option.

If additional imaging or another type of evaluation is needed first, he can explain that.

And if you're not a candidate, he'll tell you.

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

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