“I’ve been to other places with sub par machines and didn’t get any benefit. Been undergoing treatment for about 12 sessions now and the sciatica is gone and I’m almost back to normal. Even after the first session I had tremendous relief and could sleep mostly pain free for the first time in months. Definitely worth the investment!”
— Michael Langsdale, San Diego, CA
If you are struggling with severe sciatica, burning pain down the leg, numbness, tingling, or low back pain that feels WORSE sitting, our office offers a no-charge consultation to help determine whether you may be a candidate for conservative treatment options before considering injections or surgery.
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC has spent nearly 20 years helping patients suffering from disc injuries and nerve-related conditions explore customized Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD), spinal rehabilitation, and movement-based treatment strategies.
Many patients who come into our office notice the same frustrating pattern:
Their pain feels significantly worse sitting.
Especially during:
Driving
Desk work
Long commutes
Airplane travel
Sitting on soft couches
Long periods of inactivity
For MANY people, prolonged sitting may place increased pressure through the low back and spinal discs — especially if a disc is already irritated or injured.
That added pressure may sometimes increase:
Burning pain down the leg
Tingling or numbness
Tightness getting out of the car
Low back stiffness
Muscle guarding
Nerve irritation
Why Sitting May Aggravate Sciatica
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding sciatica is believing it is always caused by a “tight muscle.”
For SOME individuals, the irritation may actually be coming from pressure within the low back or spinal disc itself.
When sitting for prolonged periods, increased spinal disc pressure may aggravate already sensitive nerves and tissues.
That is one reason many people notice:
Pain worsening while sitting
Temporary relief while standing or walking
Increased stiffness after driving
Symptoms traveling further down the leg over time
This is especially common in people suffering from:
Disc herniations
Disc bulges
Degenerative disc injuries
Nerve compression conditions
Small Changes That MAY Help Reduce Irritation
Depending on the underlying condition, small daily changes may sometimes help reduce irritation throughout the day.
Some examples include:
✔️ Standing up and walking during long drives
✔️ Taking movement breaks throughout the day
✔️ Using a standing desk part of the day
✔️ Avoiding prolonged slouched sitting positions
✔️ Walking briefly every 30–45 minutes
✔️ Improving posture and spinal positioning
Not every recommendation is appropriate for every patient or condition, but reducing prolonged compression may help SOME individuals feel better.
Not All Sciatica Is the Same
Sciatica is a symptom — NOT necessarily the root problem itself.
The REAL question is:
WHY is the sciatic nerve irritated?
Possible causes may include:
Disc herniations
Disc bulges
Degenerative disc injuries
Nerve compression
Inflammation around the nerve
Spinal instability
Poor movement mechanics
This is why two people with “sciatica” may respond very differently to the exact same stretches or exercises.
Why Patients Travel to See Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC is a:
Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
Certified Pain Free Performance Specialist
Founder of the Spinal Decompression Training Academy
He has personally performed over 100,000 spinal decompression treatments and trains doctors nationwide on advanced decompression protocols and spinal rehabilitation strategies.
Our office exclusively uses FDA-cleared DRX9000 spinal decompression systems because treatment customization matters significantly when dealing with disc and nerve-related conditions.
We currently have:
7 DRX9000 spinal decompression systems onsite
4 lumbar decompression units
3 cervical decompression units
Patients regularly travel to our office from throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Spain seeking this type of specialized conservative treatment approach.
Passive Treatment Alone Is Rarely Enough
While Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) may help reduce pressure on irritated discs and nerves for appropriate candidates, long-term improvement often also requires addressing:
Core weakness
Hip instability
Poor posture
Muscle imbalances
Faulty movement patterns
That is why our office frequently combines passive decompression treatment with active rehabilitation and movement-based strategies designed to improve long-term spinal support and stability.
When Should You Get Evaluated?
If your symptoms are:
Worsening
Traveling further down the leg
Causing increasing numbness
Causing weakness
Making sitting or walking difficult
Not improving over time
Make sure you get evaluated by somebody knowledgeable and experienced in treating disc and nerve-related conditions conservatively FIRST.
No-Charge Consultation Available
If you are struggling with severe sciatica or low back pain and would like to see whether our office may be able to help, we are happy to discuss your situation and determine whether you may be a candidate for treatment.
Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
Certified Pain Free Performance Specialist
Founder – Spinal Decompression Training Academy
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
📍 5095 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92123
📞 619-298-0800
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
📞 24/7 Answering Service Available
📍 Hablamos Español
Why Patients Choose Our Office
Over 100,000 spinal decompression treatments performed
Exclusive use of DRX9000 spinal decompression systems
Nearly 20 years helping patients avoid unnecessary surgery
Customized treatment protocols for each patient
Combination of passive and active rehabilitation approaches
Patients travel from across the U.S. and internationally for care