Neck & Cervical • Noida
Cervical Spondylitis (Neck Pain): Symptoms, Treatment & Relief
Cervical spondylitis (also called cervical spondylosis) is age-related wear and tear in the neck that can cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain and sometimes tingling or weakness in the arms. Most people improve with posture correction and targeted therapy; a smaller group needs injections or surgery when there is nerve or spinal cord compression.
Common Symptoms
- Dull ache or stiffness in the neck, worse after desk/phone use
- Pain spreading to shoulder or arm; occasionally to shoulder blade
- Tingling, numbness or electric-shock sensation down the arm (radiculopathy)
- Headaches starting from the back of head (occipital region)
- Reduced neck movement; painful “catch” on turning
Why it happens
Over time, discs lose water and height; small bone spurs (osteophytes) and facet joint arthrosis can develop. Poor posture and weak scapular/neck muscles increase mechanical stress. In some, a disc prolapse or thickened ligament (OPLL) narrows the canal and compresses nerves or the spinal cord.
Diagnosis & Tests
- Clinical exam: neck range, nerve/muscle function, reflexes
- X-ray (dynamic): alignment, spondylolisthesis, instability
- MRI: disc bulge/prolapse, nerve-root or cord compression, myelopathy
- EMG-NCV (select): differentiates root vs peripheral nerve issues
Conservative Treatment
- Activity modification: frequent micro-pauses; avoid long static neck flexion
- Physiotherapy: deep neck flexor training, scapular stabilizers, thoracic mobility
- Ergonomics: screen at eye level, external keyboard, lumbar support
- Medication (short course): NSAIDs; neuropathic agents when indicated
- Heat/ice & sleep: thin pillow or cervical contour; side-lying or supine
- Targeted injections: selective root block / facet medial branch (selected cases)
Home Exercise Starter (5–8 min, 1–2×/day)
- Chin tuck (seated): glide chin straight back, hold 5 sec × 8–10 reps
- Scapular setting: shoulder blades gently down & back × 10 slow breaths
- Thoracic extension over chair: 6–8 slow reps
- Pec doorway stretch: 20–30 sec × 2 each side
- Neck isometrics (very gentle): palm to forehead/side, 5 sec × 5 each direction
Stop if pain radiates or any neuro symptom worsens; seek medical review.
When is Surgery Considered?
Considered for progressive weakness, myelopathy (cord compression), intractable arm pain despite adequate therapy, or clear mechanical compression on MRI.
- ACDF: anterior cervical discectomy & fusion
- Disc replacement: motion-preserving option in selected patients
- Posterior decompression: laminoplasty/laminectomy for multilevel stenosis
- Foramenotomy: focal root decompression (microscopic/endoscopic)
Recovery
- Walk same/next day; desk work in 1–2 weeks (case-dependent)
- Arm pain often improves first; numbness/weakness may take longer
- Physio focuses on posture reset and long-term neck-scapular strength
Ergonomics & Daily Habits
- Screen at eye level; elbows ~90°, feet flat, hips slightly above knees
- Micropause every 30–40 min: stand, shoulder rolls, chin tucks (2 min)
- Phone at eye level; avoid long “text-neck” flexion
- Sleep: thin/contoured pillow; avoid stomach-sleeping
- Walk daily 20–30 min; add gentle thoracic mobility
When to Seek an Opinion
If neck pain persists beyond 2–3 weeks, keeps returning, or you develop arm symptoms (tingling, numbness, weakness), book an assessment. Bring prior X-rays/MRI and a medication list.
Summary
Cervical spondylitis is very common and often manageable without surgery. With the right diagnosis, ergonomic changes, targeted physiotherapy and, when necessary, precise interventions, most patients return to comfortable, active routines.