What are the treatment options for cervical spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis involves changes in discs, joints, and the edges of the neck bones. Some people have these findings without symptoms; others develop neck stiffness, local pain, headaches, or arm symptoms when a nerve is irritated. Examination helps separate mechanical neck pain from nerve or spinal cord involvement.

Physiotherapy can build neck and upper-back strength, improve posture and movement, and support everyday activity. Manual therapy uses hands-on techniques selected for the person. Traction therapy gently unloads the neck in carefully chosen cases; it is stopped if symptoms worsen or new neurological signs appear.

Regular gentle movement is usually more useful than prolonged bed rest. Your clinician may combine exercises with heat, medication, or changes to work and sleep positions. A facet joint injection may be considered when pain appears to come from a specific neck joint and other measures have not been enough.

Cervical fusion may be discussed when persistent nerve or spinal cord compression, instability, or severe structural pain has a clear surgical target. The decision depends on examination and imaging rather than the scan alone.

Arrange prompt assessment for new arm or hand weakness, worsening numbness, clumsy hands, balance changes, or repeated falls. Seek urgent care for rapidly progressing weakness, walking difficulty, or new bladder or bowel control problems, especially after neck trauma.

Ask whether your symptoms are coming from a joint, nerve, or spinal cord, and what improvement should be expected from physiotherapy. Ask if manual or traction therapy is appropriate, whether a facet joint injection has a clear target, and what would make cervical fusion reasonable.