Searching for neck disc herniation treatment in San Diego CA? Many of our patients we have treated were first told they needed surgery and that was their only option for treatment. They did not undergo the surgery and instead went through NSSD, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy and are now back to life and enjoying being active and sleeping without pain once again.
The disks lay between the vertebrae in the front of the spine, and they are part of the primary support and shock absorbing system of our neck and back. There are 6 disks in the neck, 12 in the mid-back, and 5 in the low back for a total of 23. The disks in the lower back are big, like the vertebral bodies they sit between, and get progressively smaller as they go up the spine towards the head. When we bend our neck forwards, the disk compresses, and opens wider when we look up. It forms a wedge shape when we side bend left or right, and it twists when we rotate or turn the head.
The terms slipped disk, herniated disk, ruptured disk, and bulging disk (and more) all mean something similar, if not exactly the same thing. A central part of the disk is liquid-like and can herniate in any direction. When it does, it can create pain IF it pinches something, or it may be painless if it doesn’t. In fact, since the invention of the CAT scan and MRI, many (“normal”) people have been found on the scan to have some type of disk “derangement” (alteration of the normal integrity of the disk), with 50%+ showing bulging disk(s) and 21% showing herniations WITH NO PAIN AT ALL! So, in the absence of shooting pain down an arm from the neck, or when there is no numbness or weakness in the arm, why order an MRI? It may show bulges or herniations that are not “clinically” important, and may falsely lead a doctor to recommend surgery when it’s not needed.
There are “KEY” findings in the history and examination that lead to the diagnosis of a cervical disk injury. From the history, the disk patient often has arm pain, numbness, and/or muscle weakness that follows a specific pathway, such as numbness to the thumb/index finger (C6 nerve), middle of the hand & 3rd finger (C7) or to the pinky & ring finger (C8). Certain positions, such as looking up, usually irritate the neck and arm, while bending the head forward offers relief. Another unique history and exam finding is if the patient finds relief by putting the arm up and over their head. Similarly, letting the arm hang down is often associated with irritation. Other examination findings unique to a cervical disk injury include reproducing the arm pain by placing the head in certain positions such as bending the head back and to the side simultaneously. Another is compressing the head into the shoulders. When lifting up on the head (traction), relief of arm pain is common. The neurological exam will usually show a reduction of sensation when we gently poke them with a sharp object, and/or they may have weakness when compared with the opposite side.
Surgery can always be performed if all else fails, surgery should be the last resort, any good surgeon will tell you that.
The conditions that we help with and see on a daily basis include the following:
Chronic Lower Back Pain
Neck Pain
Herniated Discs
Slipped Discs
Pinched Nerves
Disc Bulges
Degenerative Disc Disease
Sciatica
Spinal Stenosis
Neuropathy
Spinal decompression was developed by a team of top physicians and medical engineers to bring healing through a unique method. This therapy provides relief to chronic back and neck pain sufferers by reducing the pressure within spinal discs. As the spine’s vertebrae are slowly and gently separated, pressure is slowly reduced within discs until a negative vacuum is formed. This vacuum is shown to reduce the size of existing disc bulges or disc herniations. Significant disc bulge reduction removes pressure off the spinal nerves and dramatically reduces pain and disability.
With spinal decompression therapy, all motion is computer-controlled to provide gentle treatment of injured spinal discs. Decompression techniques separate slowly and cycle between brief moments of pulling and relaxing. As a result, the entire treatment remains pain-free. High success rates with spinal decompression therapy lead many to prefer it to invasive back surgery, spinal injections and pain medications. Call our office today to learn more and see if you’re a candidate for this highly successful treatment!
We only utilize True Spinal Decompression with equipment that is far superior and researched to be proven effective through Johns Hopkins University, Stanford university, Duke Medical Center and Mayo clinic among others.
Be sure you are getting the correct treatment and actual decompression and not traction, there is a huge difference and these 2 therapies are worlds apart.
With True Spinal Decompression there are 3 computers on each Spinal Decompression Machine. One of the computers' sole job is to ensure that the muscles in the spine are relaxed. It accomplishes this with a positive feedback loop system. 16 Times a second, the system monitors the muscles to make sure they are not attempting to tighten up. If they do attempt to tighten, the computer recognizes this and adjusts the pressure and pull to lower until the muscles are once again relaxed and then it can increase the pull once again. This way we can always keep the disc in a negative pressure state which is not possible with inversion or traction machines.
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.
Clinical studies have shown spinal decompression to be effective in treating a number of conditions. These include pain associated with bulging and herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and even relapse or failed back surgery. The treatment enables most patients to return to pain-free, active lifestyles.
Spinal decompression therapy is a painless, non-surgical treatment designed to reduce and even eliminate back pain, neck pain, sciatica and radiating arm pain. This modern treatment has shown a high success rate and helps patients avoid back surgeries they would have otherwise needed. If you suffer from chronic, debilitating low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, shooting arm pain, degenerative disc disease, disc bulges and disc herniations. The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego has been treating patients and helping them get out of pain successfully for the past 17 years.
For a no-charge, no-obligation consultation call 619-298-0800,
*Due to demand, regardless of referral from orthopedic surgeon, neurologist, chiropractor or other doctor, patients are seen on a first come first serve basis.
"I came in with extreme back pain, resulting in days were it was difficult to get out of bed. There were moments where I would be walking and then my back would lock up. I thought it was something I have dealt with in the past but this last the entire month of July. I finally dedicated myself to finding the long term solution.
‘I came to Dr. Boelk unsure about the process, but after he identified exactly what my ailment was, I felt confident that this was the long term solution I was looking for. I instantly felt better and Dr. Boelk kept encouraging me to trust the process and understand it will take time to feel 100%. I am now pain free and honestly feel stronger, even a little taller. I highly recommend you visit Dr. Boelk." - Ming T.
"I highly recommend Dr.Boelk to everyone who has issues with their back and neck. After 2 months of treatment I am feeling a considerable difference. Dr. Boelk's skills and experience are incredible. Especially I appreciate his "very cautious and attentive " approach to the health: no unnecessary adjustment and procedures. I am very grateful to Dr.Boelk for his knowledgeable and professional treatment." - Olga M.
"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
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