Degenerative disc disease is essentially pain in your spine, typically your back or your neck caused by wear and tear and a cumulation of loading onto the discs. Activities such as prolonged sitting, excessive heavy weight and high repetition exercises such as heavy back squats, heavy deadlifts, jobs or activities that cause a person to be in a forward bending position, such as construction jobs, farmers, gardening, truck drivers, office workers who sit most of the day are more predisposed to the excessive time in a seated position which increase loading on the spinal discs significantly compared to lying or standing or walking. 

 

Over time the disc cannot handle the loading and they begin to become dehydrated. They are not receiving enough water, oxygen or nutrients. The discs are mainly avascular tissues, meaning they do not have a direct blood supply. They receive their blood mainly through a structure on the bones above and below the discs via motion. This motion is referred to as spinal imbibition. Think of it like a little pump. The pump allows the disc to receive water, oxygen and vital nutrients such as glucose through the blood it receives from the spinal vertebrae (back bones).

 

Here is the problem however, when the disc is compressed and is not receiving proper motion and mobility, that little pump system shuts off and the disc is then begins degenerating at a advanced rate which then leads to further disc injuries and issues such as disc bulges, disc herniations, disc protrusions, sciatica, etc.

 

 Progressive nutrient transport disruptions may actively contribute in advancing the phases of degenerative disk disease. Such disruptions include dysfunctional loading and spinal position, lack of motion, high frequency loading, disk injury, aging, smoking, an acidic environment, and a lack of nutrient bioavailability.

 

So we address degenerative disc disease by utilizing something called NSSD, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. The spinal decompression allows the discs to once again receive water, oxygen and nutrients and unload the pressure that is being exerted on the disc, taking the disc off of the nerves and lowering the pain levels. We then create spinal stabilization by utilizing specific spinal stability exercises to prevent the pain from reoccurring. If you are looking for Degenerative disc disease treatment in San Diego CA then we can help.

 

Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Alaska, Spain and Mexico are some of the states and counties where our out of town patients come to seek out our expertise in dealing with their chronic and severe pain from disc bulges, disc herniations, disc protrusions, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, sciatica and chronic neck and back pain.   For the past 18 years we have been specializing in NSSD, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. This treatment is highly effective and comfortable and allows for decompression of the spinal disc allowing water, oxygen and nutrients to get back into the disc that was unable to when it was in a compressed state.   Researched and proven successful by Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University , Duke Medical Center and Mayo Clinic among others, NSSD therapy is a specialized treatment that can have amazing an doing-lasting results if the doctor who is utilizing the treatment is through ugh, knowledgeable, experienced and specific in their treatment protocols for each patient.   Our decompression machines are the most advanced available and although they are great machines, it is how we utilize the machines as well as the before and after procedures and patient education process we utilize to reach the highest success rates possible. Unfortunately we have received hundreds of patients through the years that said they had been to other offices and "tried spinal decompression" but it did not help. We have seen the top reasons for that are the following: 1. The doctor performing the therapy was inexperienced and did not provide the proper settings and protocols. 2. The machines used were inadequate and too basic to provide the needed technology to provide a successful outcome. 3. There was a lack of a full pre treatment along with post treatment and a huge component of successful outcomes was neglected, spinal stabilization. There will always be people in your life that support you and others who do not, some who think they know what you need to do but do not have a solution for your pain or problem. Listen to your intuition, give us a call if you feel this may be your solution, thousands of San Diego residents listened to theirs and are now pain free and extremely happy they didn't give up and they gave our office a call. 619-298-0800   "Dr Boelk is thorough, technical, and explains everything very well. Excellent bedside manner and all the staff are very nice. Decompression treatment is effective and I have no more neck pain." - Andre G.   "Dr. Boelk is professional and kind. He has the health of his patients as his top priority. The decompression treatments, exercises, and diet adjustments he recommended and administered have so diminished my back pain that I can sleep again. Chiropractic adjustments did not help my lower back. Decompression did. I highly recommend Dr. Boelk."- Steve R.   "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's sleep and didn't care to go on. But Then I met the Dr! I tell people regularly, he saved my life.    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   We are 5 star rated on over 200 reviews. Dr. Boelk utilizes methods that solved his severe neck and low back pain and disc herniations. Dr. Boelk holds the following licenses and certifications:   -#1 Rated Spinal Decompression Office In San Diego -Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic -California Licensed Doctor of Chiropractic -Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor -California X-ray Radiology Licensed Doctor -Pain Free Performance Specialist -The International Disc Education Association Member   Rated the #1 Spinal Decompression office in San Diego for many reasons. Here is a quick guide to finding the best office when searching for Spinal Decompression: 1. Does the office specialize In Spinal Decompression or is it just one of many multiple treatments they offer? We have seen many patients come from other offices who said they are specialists and experts in spinal decompression but only treat 3 or 4 patients a day on decompression. 2. Is the doctor or staff actually getting the patients on the treatments? Spinal Decompression is a specialized skill and requires daily decision making and protocols vary from person to person, it is not a one size fits all approach. Many patients come from different offices and inform us they were getting decompression but it was done by the staff and many times they are in pain when on the tables. The treatments should not be painful but feel good. 3. Is the doctor Certified? There are many doctors who are utilizing spinal decompression who are not certified. It is best to see someone who took the time and learned the process and is certified. 4. Do they have a good reputation and reviews that report the doctor and office and staff are looking out for the patient and there is a common theme of the doctor caring and wanting the best for their patients? 5. Experience? How long has the office been utilizing spinal decompression? How many sessions have they performed? You want to see someone who has a lot of experience and knowledge in their field when looking for spinal decompression offices. Our office has been specializing in NSSD, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression for the past 18 years. Everyday we perform 35-50 sessions. Every single decompression session is performed by our doctor and not our staff. He determines the settings and has unique protocols for each patient that is dynamic. Our clinic director and founder, Dr. Cassidy Boelk DC is  Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor. You can look up reviews on him and the office here. Over the past 18 years he has performed over 30,000 spinal decompression sessions. Our treatments we use are clinically proven highly effective and have been researched by Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Duke Medical Center and Mayo Clinic among others. There are many offices that claim they are experts at spinal decompression but unfortunately lack the experience, knowledge and years it takes to become an expert. We have been utilizing decompression in San Diego for the past 18 years and have seen many offices and doctors come and go and many pop up and are instantly experts. Over the past 18 years we have performed over 30,000 spinal decompression visits and we are considered experts in spinal decompression. We are still always learning and updating our protocols to get even better results and learn how to help more people even faster, the learning never stops. We treat both local San Diego as well as out of town residents as far away as Alaska and Spain and typically have patients from Mexico, El Centro, Calexico in our office daily. Spinal Decompression is a very relaxing, comfortable and effective treatment that helps patients with the following conditions: Chronic Lower Back Pain Neck Pain Herniated Discs Slipped Discs Pinched Nerves Disc Bulges Degenerative Disc Disease Sciatica Spinal Stenosis Neuropathy With true spinal decompression, we can get water, oxygen and nutrients into the disc itself while flushing out swelling and inflammation which is adding to the pain. With traction and inversion tables the spinal muscles are unable to fully relax and thus they stay somewhat activated which then prevents the discs from getting into a negative pressure and healing properly and getting rid of the pain as much as possible. Serious inquiries only please. For a no-charge, no-obligation consultation, call our office at 619-298-0800. *Due to demand, regardless of referral from family physician, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon or chiropractor, patients are seen on a first come first serve basis. Dr. Boelk’s excellent reviews are a testament not only to his expertise at treating patients of all ages and conditions, but also his compassionate and understanding approach to treatment. We are 5 star rated on over 200 reviews. Dr. Boelk utilizes methods that solved his severe neck and low back pain and disc herniations. Dr. Boelk holds the following licenses and certifications: -#1 Rated Spinal Decompression Office In San Diego -Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic -California Licensed Doctor of Chiropractic -Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor -California X-ray Radiology Licensed Doctor -Pain Free Performance Specialist -The International Disc Education Association Member Dr Boelk is thorough, technical, and explains everything very well. Excellent bedside manner and all the staff are very nice. Decompression treatment is effective and I have no more neck pain." - Andre G. "Dr. Boelk is professional and kind. He has the health of his patients as his top priority. The decompression treatments, exercises, and diet adjustments he recommended and administered have so diminished my back pain that I can sleep again. Chiropractic adjustments did not help my lower back. Decompression did. I highly recommend Dr. Boelk."- Steve R. "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 "I decided to see Dr. Boelk after a pretty gnarly motocoss neck injury. At the Hospital I was at, I felt I was getting pressured into a surgery which I refused. A friend of a friend referred him after Dr. Boelk successfully treated his broken back.   Dr. Boelk is a compassionate individual who truly cares about his patients. He looked at my MRI images, explained what he saw and potential routes for recovery. He could not treat me as I have to wait until the fracture in my neck heals, but the level of professionalism, compassion, caring and knowledge displayed by him was exceptional. He also recommended to seek an additional opinion form another neurosurgeon. My experience was that he really cares and he's not someone who would take advantage of the situation someone's in (unlike some other doctors). I will definitely be back and already recommended him to others as well! Thank you Dr. Boelk!-- Jan H.       --When it comes to spinal decompression and severe neck and back pain, you want to go to the best and get the fastest relief possible and keep the pain away. For the past 17 years we have been helping people just like you get rid of their neck and back pain without the use of drugs, injections, surgery, physical therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, cupping or chiropractic adjustments. Instead, through thousands of hours, 17 years and 27,000 treatments later, we have become Spinal Decompression experts and out clinic director and founder, Dr. Cassidy Boelk DC is a certified Spinal Decompression doctor and his private office located right there in San Diego has been voted the #1 Spinal Decompression Office In San Diego for quite some time. He treats many logical San Diego residents as well as out of state and country patients who seek out his expert opinion and protocols to get them out of pain and avoid surgery if possible. "Dr. Boelk & his staff are by far the BEST at spinal decompression. I walked into his office unable to sit to do my job, where I was having to lay each day & within a couple of weeks he helped me with being able to sit again. His attention to you & the way he will make you feel is unparalleled. First of all, he has suffered from some severe back issues, so his empathy is very high. Secondly, he is extremely caring & genuinely wants to help people. I've never worked with a doctor who has cared as much and made me feel like I was his only patient before. There would be 4 people there at the same time, and he still made me feel this way. I guess I just cannot thank him enough & cannot recommend him enough. He is an angel on earth. If you visit him, please listen to him & follow his instructions. He knows what's best for you. " - Erin T, California 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, El Centro, CA   We have been specializing in spinal decompression for the past 18 years. We see patients from all over San Diego County as well as out of town patients from Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Alaska, Mexico and Spain.   To see if you qualify for treatment, give the office a call. Out of town patients, we have 24 hour answering service and there are 3 hotels conveniently located down the street from the office in which most of our patients stay