Why Won’t My Sciatica Go Away? – San Diego, CA
Sciatica can be one of the most frustrating and exhausting conditions a person experiences. For many people, it starts as occasional tightness in the low back or glute, but over time it progresses into burning pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain shooting all the way down the leg.
Some patients can barely sit through dinner. Others cannot stand upright in the morning. Some lose sleep for weeks or months at a time. Many stop golfing, surfing, working out, traveling, or even walking normally because the symptoms become so severe.
One of the biggest frustrations patients express when they come into our office is this:
“Why does this keep coming back?”
At The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego, Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC has spent nearly 20 years helping patients suffering from severe disc injuries, sciatica, and chronic low back pain avoid unnecessary injections and surgery whenever possible.
Dr. Boelk is a Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor, Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist, founder of the Spinal Decompression Training Academy, and has personally performed over 75,000 spinal decompression treatments. Our office exclusively uses the DRX9000 spinal decompression system and integrates active rehabilitation, movement correction, and stability work to help patients achieve longer-lasting results.
Many patients who arrive at our office have already tried:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Stretching
- Massage therapy
- Physical therapy
- Pain medications
- Cortisone injections
- Acupuncture
- General traction devices
- Rest
Some experience temporary relief, while others continue to suffer because the underlying problem driving the sciatic nerve irritation has not been properly identified or addressed.
Sciatica Is Often a Symptom — Not the Root Problem
One of the biggest misconceptions about sciatica is believing the sciatic nerve itself is the main problem.
In many cases, the sciatic nerve is actually being irritated because of pressure coming from the low back — especially from injured or compressed spinal discs.
Common underlying causes may include:
- Disc bulges
- Disc herniations
- Disc extrusions
- Degenerative disc changes
- Spinal instability
- Loss of disc height
- Poor movement mechanics
- Chronic compression on spinal nerves
This is why some patients notice worsening symptoms when:
- Sitting for long periods
- Bending forward
- Lifting improperly
- Coughing or sneezing
- Driving
- Transitioning from sitting to standing
For many patients, the issue is not simply “tight muscles.”
Why Stretching and Temporary Relief Often Fail
Many patients spend months aggressively stretching the hamstrings, piriformis, hips, or low back hoping the pain will disappear.
Unfortunately, if the pain is truly being driven by an irritated spinal disc or compressed nerve root, certain stretches may actually aggravate the condition further.
This is one reason why some patients feel temporary relief after massage, stretching, or adjustments — only to have the pain quickly return.
If the disc pressure and nerve irritation remain unchanged, the symptoms often continue cycling.
At our office, one of the first things we try to determine is:
- Is the disc involved?
- Is there nerve compression?
- Which movements centralize symptoms?
- Which movements worsen symptoms?
- Is instability present?
- Is the patient a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD)?
Not every patient qualifies for decompression treatment, and not every sciatica case should be treated the same way.
Real Patient Experience
“I have had a wonderful experience with Dr. Boelk and his staff at the Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Center of San Diego. They have a great protocol and the best decompression machines. I’ve been to other places with sub par machines and didn’t get any benefit. Dr. Boelk is very attentive and cares about each person, you can see it in how he interacts with everyone. Been undergoing treatment for about 12 sessions now and the sciatica is gone and I’m almost back to normal, didn’t think it would ever heal but 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! Thank you!”
— Michael Langsdale, San Diego, CA
Michael’s story is extremely common. Many patients arrive after trying multiple offices, therapies, or lower-level traction systems without significant improvement. The difference is often not simply “doing decompression,” but how accurately the condition is identified and how properly the treatment is customized.
Why Sitting Often Makes Sciatica Worse
Patients are often surprised to learn how much pressure sitting places on the spinal discs.
When spinal discs are already injured or weakened, prolonged sitting may increase irritation around the nerve root and surrounding structures.
This is why many patients say things like:
- “I can walk better than I can sit.”
- “Driving is miserable.”
- “I feel locked up getting out of the car.”
- “My leg burns more when I sit.”
This is also why simply “resting more” frequently does not solve the problem.
For some patients, carefully directed movements and properly progressed rehabilitation may help centralize symptoms — meaning pain gradually moves out of the leg and more toward the low back. In many cases, this is a more encouraging sign than pain continuing further down the leg.
How Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) Works
At our office, we exclusively use the DRX9000 spinal decompression system.
Unlike generalized traction, true Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression involves carefully controlled decompression forces, customized positioning, and precise treatment angles designed to help reduce pressure on compressed spinal discs and irritated nerves.
The goal is to help:
- Reduce pressure on the disc
- Reduce nerve irritation
- Improve mobility
- Improve circulation to injured tissues
- Reduce muscle guarding
- Create a better healing environment
Research and clinical experience have shown that the proper patient selection, positioning, progression, and rehabilitation integration matter tremendously.
Not all decompression offices use the same equipment, protocols, or clinical approach.
Our office currently has seven DRX9000 decompression tables and has become known for helping many severe and chronic cases, including patients traveling from Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and other areas to seek treatment.
Real Patient Experience
“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
Patients frequently tell us they had lost hope before finally finding answers. Many are fearful of injections or surgery and simply want to understand whether another option may exist before moving forward with more invasive procedures.
Why Passive Treatment Alone Usually Is Not Enough
One of the biggest mistakes in healthcare is relying entirely on passive treatment.
Even when decompression treatment helps reduce disc pressure and nerve irritation, many patients still need to address:
- Poor hip mobility
- Weak core stabilization
- Faulty bending mechanics
- Postural stress
- Glute weakness
- Chronic movement compensation
This is why our office integrates active rehabilitation strategies alongside decompression treatment whenever appropriate.
Long-term improvement often requires more than simply reducing pain temporarily.
The goal is not just symptom relief — it is helping patients move better, stabilize better, and reduce the likelihood of repeated flare-ups.
Real Patient Experience
“There is not enough room to explain the relief Dr. Boelk has brought to me and my entire family. I found him after a year of sciatic pain. Couldn't play the sports I loved, no hockey, golf or surfing. The pain shooting from my hip to my left foot was to the point of unbearable. I had been visiting chiropractors since I was 18, temporary relief, but nothing consistent. Acupuncture helped a bit, physical therapy was unmanageable. I couldn't get a solid night sleep and didn't care to go on. But Then I met the Dr! I tell people regularly, he saved my life.
It was a regular routine of adjuments and excersises. A change of life patterns but 110% worth every effort. I have since had my wife, daughter, mother, father and multiple friends and clients visit Dr. Boelk. All thanking me for the referral. Last one was my firefighting friend that had horrible sciatica. He is now on the recovery train.
So without a doubt, if you are on the verge of surgery, don't do it until you give this Dr a chance to examine you 1st. He is honest, he will tell you if you are beyond repair.
I trust him with my life and my back. So should you!”
— Jayson Yavorsky, San Diego, CA
When Surgery May Still Be Necessary
While many patients improve with conservative treatment, surgery is sometimes necessary.
At our office, patient honesty and proper case management are extremely important.
There are situations where:
- severe neurological loss is present
- progressive weakness develops
- bowel or bladder symptoms occur
- fractures or instability exist
- surgical intervention may truly be required
Dr. Boelk routinely tells patients when he believes they are not appropriate candidates for treatment.
In fact, many patients have specifically appreciated the honesty and transparency of the consultation process.
Request a No-Charge Consultation
If you are struggling with severe sciatica, burning leg pain, numbness, tingling, or low back pain and are trying to avoid injections or surgery whenever possible, the first step is determining what is actually causing the problem.
Not every patient is a candidate for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression treatment, but proper evaluation matters.
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 Office: 619-298-0800
📱 Call or Text: 619-884-8298
🌐 www.SanDiegoBackCare.com
About Dr. Cassidy Boelk, DC
- Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
- Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
- Founder of the Spinal Decompression Training Academy
- Over 75,000 spinal decompression treatments performed
- Nearly 20 years helping patients avoid unnecessary spinal surgery
- Exclusive use of the DRX9000 spinal decompression system
- Patients travel from across the United States and internationally seeking treatment
Appointments are limited each week. All new patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis regardless of referral source so Dr. Boelk can properly determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment.