Cervical spondylosis is a condition involving the natural wearing down of bones, cartilage and ligaments within the neck and spine.
At Vitalis Physiotherapy, our specialised treatment aims to:
Cervical Spondylosis Treatment
What is cervical spondylosis?
Spondylosis is a term referring to the natural wearing down in the neck, referred to as the cervical spine. This area of the spinal column is comprised of vertebral bones, discs, ligaments and cartilage. Cervical spondylosis can also be called arthritis or osteoarthritis of the neck. Bone spurs, thinned discs, thickened ligaments and cartilage loss are all part of spondylosis. Most people don’t experience any symptoms, while others may experience pain and muscle spasm.
What are the causes?
As one gets older, the spine undergoes changes as a result of normal wear and tear over the years. Additional risk factors include obesity, smoking history, sedentary lifestyles, high impact activities and other conditions (e.g., diabetes, IBS, Lyme disease, etc.).
There are typically 5 main causes of cervical spondylosis:
- Degeneration – over time, the discs in your neck slowly wear down, become thinner and the surrounding tissue loses elasticity.
- Herniated Discs – through age, spinal discs dry out and it is normal for them to crack or tear, causing it to herniate (bulge out). Herniation can put pressure on and irritate nearby nerves, causing pain. This can also occur from a trauma injury.
- Bone Spurs – when ligaments and tendons around the spine are damaged or inflammed, the body attempts to repair itself by triggering abnormal bone growth in an attempt to strengthen and stabilise the spine.
- Stiff Ligaments – ligaments are cords of tough connective tissue that give support your joints which can stiffen or thicken with age.
- Osteoarthritis – this is a progressive condition which causes the degeneration of cartilage in joints at a faster rate than normal aging.
What are the symptoms?
- Neck pain and/or stiffness
- Soreness in the neck and back of head
- Muscle spasms or cramps
- Dizziness and/or headaches
- Grinding or popping sounds with neck movement
- Tingling/pins and needles sensation, numbness
- Difficulty with movement
- Reduced range of motion
- Differential diagnoses of other conditions (e.g., Facet Joint Syndrome)
Treatment for cervical spondylosis
As there are different causes and presentations of cervical spondylosis, you may be referred to get scans (X-ray, MRI and/or CT). A physiotherapist will then be able to assess the severity of the condition and the treatment required. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent cervical spondylosis from developing into a chronic condition.
At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we tailor a treatment plan to best fit your recovery goals through:
- Soft tissue mobilisations (massage)
- Stretching exercises
- Strengthening, conditioning and balance techniques
- Restoring range of movement
- Postural improvement
- Dry needling
- Taping
- Shockwave Therapy
- Home exercise and self-management techniques
- Graded Exposure to load program
Your physiotherapist may also advise heat or ice application, rest and if necessary, pain medication. Additionally, they might recommend for you to use neck support (braces), a Therapeutic Pillow, or to improve gait and posture through custom foot orthotics and other supportive footwear options.
How to book an appointment?
If you have cervical spondylosis, or are looking for a ‘physiotherapist near me’ our physios at Vitalis Physiotherapy can assess your condition to tailor a unique rehabilitation plan to aid in your pain relief and recovery. They may also refer you to get scans in some severe cases to better understand your needs.
All you need to do is just give us a call on 0410 559 856 and request an initial appointment. Please let our friendly reception staff know the background and severity of your condition.
You can visit our FAQs for more information about appointments at Vitalis Physiotherapy.
Need Help?
Are you in pain caused by cervical spondylosis? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment.
Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.
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