Degenerative disc disease is when spinal discs lose height and cushion over time, which can cause chronic back or neck pain. Getzik Family Chiropractic, a chiropractic and non-surgical spine clinic in Washington, Pennsylvania, treats degenerative disc disease with non-surgical spinal decompression, chiropractic care and laser therapy. Decompression is $65 per session. Decompression and laser therapy are cash only and are not covered by insurance. Call us at (724) 222-2074.
Key facts
Degenerative disc disease is the gradual loss of height and water content in the spinal discs over years. As a disc thins, it cushions less and the spine can move less smoothly, which can cause pain.
It is not really a disease in the usual sense. It is wear and change in the discs that comes with time. Almost everyone has some disc change with age, but not everyone feels pain from it.
It is often confused with a herniated disc. A herniated disc is a specific tear and push-out. Degenerative disc disease is the gradual thinning of a disc. The examination and imaging tell them apart.
The pattern is chronic back or neck pain that comes and goes, often worse with sitting, bending, or after a long day, and better with walking or changing position.
Red flag symptoms
Seek urgent medical care rather than booking with us if you have any of the following.
We treat degenerative disc disease by improving movement in the spine and lowering the load on the thinned discs. The services below are the ones we most often use.
Degenerative disc disease is a long-term condition. Care aims to ease the pain and keep you moving, not to promise a result or a timeline. We track your response at each visit and adjust the plan. We do not promise a specific outcome.
Degenerative disc disease often responds to decompression, so the $49 new patient decompression visit is the usual starting point. The $49 new patient decompression visit includes a new patient consultation, a comprehensive examination, one chiropractic adjustment and one spinal decompression treatment. Offer not valid for Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA or other government health plan patients. See our pricing and insurance page for the full breakdown.
Next step
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We do not book or take payment on this website. We call you back and arrange your visit.
Tell us what hurts
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It is disc change that comes with time, and almost everyone has some. Not everyone feels pain from it. When it does cause pain, care can help manage it.
Decompression aims to lower the pressure on the disc and improve fluid movement into it. Whether it fits your case depends on the disc and the spine around it. The examination shows whether your case fits.
We do not claim a disc can be restored to its original height. Care aims to ease the pain and improve how the spine moves. We track your response and adjust the plan.
Sitting for long periods, poor posture, and being out of condition add strain to thinned discs. We give you specific guidance on what to do and what to avoid.
We cannot promise surgery will be avoided. Many people do well with non-surgical care, but results vary. Whether you need surgery is a decision for you and your surgeon. We give you an honest read first.
Go to the emergency room if you lose bowel or bladder control, have numbness in the groin, or severe leg weakness. Those are red flags that need urgent medical care.
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Ask us about your specific condition.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Stefan M. Getzik, DC. Last updated September 7, 2026.
Tell us where it hurts and how long it has been going on. After the examination we give you an honest read on what is going on and what it costs. Call us at (724) 222-2074.
