treatments for degenerative disc disease in naperville

Spinal Decompression for Degenerative Disc Disease in Naperville IL

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Non-Surgical Relief from DDD | Synergy Institute in Naperville

Quick Facts About Degenerative Disc Disease
Affects: 40% of people by age 40; over 80% by age 80¹
Most Common Locations: L4-L5 and L5-S1 (lower back); C5-C6 (neck)
Treatment Success: 71-89% of patients improve with spinal decompression²
Typical Treatment: 20-28 sessions over 6-8 weeks
⚠️ Emergency: Sudden loss of bladder/bowel control requires immediate ER visit

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition where spinal discs—the cushions between vertebrae—lose hydration, height, and flexibility due to aging and wear. Affecting approximately 40% of people by age 40 and over 80% by age 80, DDD can cause chronic back pain, stiffness, and nerve compression.¹

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease isn’t actually a “disease” in the traditional sense. It’s the natural result of decades of movement and gradual loss of water content in your spinal discs. By age 50, more than 90% of people show evidence of disc degeneration on imaging³—though many never experience significant symptoms.

Here’s what the research shows: DDD pain often stabilizes—and frequently improves—by age 60.⁴ Many people with significant disc degeneration on MRI live completely pain-free lives. The condition is manageable, and treatment can restore function and dramatically reduce pain.

At Synergy Institute in Naperville, Dr. Jennifer Wise has been helping patients with degenerative disc disease since 2000. “I’ve seen thousands of patients convinced they’d need surgery,” Dr. Wise explains. “In most cases, we can help them find real relief through non-surgical approaches—especially spinal decompression therapy.”

Synergy Institute was one of the first clinics in Illinois to offer spinal decompression therapy back in 2002. After more than two decades treating DDD patients, we’ve developed integrative protocols combining decompression with chiropractic care and acupuncture—addressing not just symptoms, but underlying causes.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

DDD symptoms range from mild and occasional to severe and constant. Understanding what to watch for—and which symptoms require immediate attention—helps you know when to seek treatment.⁵

Chronic, Aching Pain: Deep, aching pain in the lower back or neck that worsens with sitting, bending, or twisting, and often improves when lying down.

Stiffness: Significant stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting for extended periods.

Pain That Comes and Goes: Flare-ups lasting days to weeks, followed by periods of less intense discomfort.

Radiating Pain: Pain extending into buttocks, hips, thighs (lumbar DDD)—sometimes called sciatica—or shoulders and arms (cervical DDD).

🚨 Emergency Warning Signs

Call 911 or go to the ER immediately if you experience:

  • Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Numbness in the groin or saddle area
  • Sudden severe weakness in both legs

These may indicate cauda equina syndrome requiring emergency surgery.⁶

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?

Your spinal discs are about 80% water at birth, giving them a gel-like quality that absorbs shock. Unlike most tissues, discs have very little blood supply—they rely on diffusion to receive nutrients. Over decades, discs gradually lose water content and become thinner. By age 20, approximately 37% of people already show disc degeneration on imaging.⁷

**DDD progresses through four stages:**⁸

  1. Stage 1: Minor changes, often no symptoms
  2. Stage 2: Disc thinning visible, occasional pain
  3. Stage 3: Significant height loss, chronic pain, nerve compression
  4. Stage 4: Severe degeneration, may require surgical evaluation

Risk factors include: Age (the biggest factor), genetics⁹, obesity¹⁰, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and repetitive heavy lifting.

Good news: Spinal decompression is most effective during Stages 1-3, before severe structural changes occur. Early intervention matters.

How Spinal Decompression Treats DDD

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a motorized traction therapy that gently stretches the spine using computer-controlled force. Unlike traditional traction, it creates negative pressure within damaged discs—drawing in water, oxygen, and nutrients to promote healing.¹²

Here’s what happens during treatment:

  1. Negative Pressure: Disc pressure drops from +25 mmHg to -150 to -200 mmHg¹³
  2. Nutrient Diffusion: The “vacuum effect” draws water and nutrients into the disc
  3. Disc Rehydration: Fluids restore disc height and shock-absorbing ability
  4. Nerve Relief: Reduced compression on spinal nerves provides pain relief

What the Research Shows

Disc Height Restoration: A study found disc height increased from 7.5mm to 8.8mm while pain scores dropped from 6.2 to 1.6 on a 10-point scale.¹⁵

High Success Rates: 71-89% of patients experience significant improvement. In one study of 219 patients, 86% reported symptom resolution.²˒¹⁶

Superior to PT Alone: A 2022 randomized controlled trial found patients receiving decompression plus physical therapy had significantly better outcomes than PT alone.¹⁷

Long-Term Results: 84% of patients remained pain-free 90 days after treatment.¹⁸

Treatment Options Compared

Treatment Success Rate Time to Relief Typical Cost Notes
Spinal Decompression 71-89% 2-6 weeks $2,000-4,500 Non-invasive
Physical Therapy 50-70% 4-8 weeks $75-200/visit Builds strength
Epidural Injections ~50% Days $1,500-3,000 Temporary relief
Spinal Fusion 60-80% 3-12 months $50,000-150,000 ~20% failure rate¹⁹

Who Is a Candidate?

You may be a good candidate if you have:

  • DDD confirmed by MRI or CT scan
  • Bulging or herniated discs
  • Chronic back or neck pain lasting 4+ weeks
  • Pain that improves when lying down
  • Failed to respond to medications or PT alone

Spinal decompression is NOT appropriate for:

  • Pregnancy, spinal fractures, tumors, or cancer
  • Severe osteoporosis or spinal fusion with hardware
  • Advanced spinal instability (Grade 3-4 spondylolisthesis)

Important: Not everyone is a candidate. Dr. Wise will be upfront if another approach would serve you better.

What to Expect

Your First Visit (60-90 minutes):

  • Complete health history and physical examination
  • Review of your imaging (bring MRIs, X-rays, CT scans)
  • Honest assessment of whether you’re a candidate
  • First treatment session if appropriate

A Typical Session: You lie comfortably on the decompression table while the computer-controlled system applies gentle, precise pulling forces. Sessions last 25-35 minutes. Many patients find it so relaxing they fall asleep.

Treatment Timeline:

  • Weeks 1-2: 4-5 sessions/week, beginning relief
  • Weeks 3-5: 3 sessions/week, progressive improvement
  • Weeks 6-8: 2 sessions/week, stabilization

Total: Typically 20-28 sessions. Many patients notice decreased pain within 1-2 weeks; significant improvement by 3-4 weeks.

Spinal Decompression for DDD in Naperville

When Dr. Jennifer Wise introduced spinal decompression to Synergy Institute in 2002, we were among the first clinics in Illinois to offer this technology. After more than two decades and thousands of patients, we’ve refined our integrative approach to deliver the best possible outcomes.

What Makes Synergy Institute Different:

  • Pioneer Experience: 22+ years of spinal decompression expertise
  • Integrative Approach: Decompression + chiropractic + acupuncture
  • Honest Assessments: We’ll tell you if you’re NOT a candidate
  • All Under One Roof: No running between providers

Convenient Location:

Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic 4931 Illinois Route 59, Suite 121 Naperville, IL 60564

Serving: Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Oswego, Lisle, Wheaton, Joliet, Romeoville, and surrounding DuPage & Will County communities.

Insurance: Most major plans accepted. Call (630) 355-8022 to verify your benefits before your first visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does spinal decompression really work? Research shows 71-89% of patients experience significant improvement.² A 2022 RCT found decompression plus PT outperformed PT alone.¹⁷

Is it painful? No. Most patients describe gentle stretching. Many find it so relaxing they fall asleep.

How much does it cost? Individual sessions: $75-150. Full protocols: $2,000-4,500 depending on complexity. We provide transparent pricing during consultation.

How long do results last? Studies show 84% remain pain-free 90 days after treatment.¹⁸ Long-term results depend on home care and periodic maintenance.

Can DDD be cured? DDD can’t be “cured” in the sense of reversing all changes. However, treatment can effectively relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life. Research shows disc height can actually increase with decompression.¹⁵

The Bottom Line

Degenerative disc disease affects millions of Americans—but it doesn’t have to control your life. Most people with DDD respond well to conservative treatment, especially when they seek help early.

Research shows non-surgical spinal decompression achieves significant improvement in 71-89% of patients.² Unlike medications that mask symptoms or surgery that permanently alters your spine, decompression addresses the underlying problem: compressed, dehydrated discs pressing on nerves.

At Synergy Institute in Naperville, Dr. Jennifer Wise has been helping patients find relief from DDD since 2000. We were pioneers in Illinois spinal decompression, and after two decades, we know what works—and what doesn’t. If you’re dealing with degenerative disc disease, we can help you find out if spinal decompression is right for you.

Schedule Your DDD Consultation Today

📞 Call or Text: (630) 454-1300

Office: (630) 355-8022

Synergy Institute | 4931 Illinois Route 59, Suite 121, Naperville IL 60564

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition. Individual results may vary. Spinal decompression therapy may not be appropriate for all patients. The success rates cited in this article are based on published research and may not reflect individual outcomes.

References

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  2. Shealy CN, Borgmeyer V. Decompression, reduction, and stabilization of the lumbar spine. Am J Pain Manage. 1997;7:63-65.
  3. Teraguchi M, et al. Prevalence and distribution of intervertebral disc degeneration: the Wakayama Spine Study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014;22(1):104-110.
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Degenerative Disk Disease. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. 2024.
  5. Mayo Clinic. Degenerative Disk Disease – Symptoms & Causes. 2024.
  6. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Cauda Equina Syndrome. AANS Patient Information. 2024.
  7. Brinjikji W, et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015;36(4):811-816.
  8. Kirkaldy-Willis WH, Farfan HF. Instability of the lumbar spine. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982;(165):110-123.
  9. Battié MC, et al. The Twin Spine Study: contributions to a changing view of disc degeneration. Spine J. 2009;9(1):47-59.
  10. Samartzis D, et al. Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and BMI. Arthritis Rheum. 2012;64(5):1488-1496.
  11. Sherry E, et al. VAX-D and TENS for chronic low back pain. Neurol Res. 2001;23(7):780-784.
  12. Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg. 1994;81(3):350-353.
  13. Apfel CC, et al. Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010;11:155.
  14. Gose EE, et al. Vertebral axial decompression therapy outcome study. Neurol Res. 1998;20(3):186-190.
  15. Amjad F, et al. Non-surgical decompression therapy plus physical therapy: RCT. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):255.
  16. Macario A, et al. DRX9000 retrospective chart review. Pain Pract. 2008;8(1):11-17.
  17. Sebaaly A, et al. Failed back surgery syndrome: review. Asian Spine J. 2018;12(3):574-585.

Article last updated: January 2026 | Synergy Institute Acupuncture & Chiropractic, Naperville IL