Neck

Cervical Spondylosis (Osteoarthritis)

Cervical spondylosis is the term given to osteoarthritis of the neck. Degeneration of the neck begins in your 20s and is a normal part of aging. It does not always lead to pain, but may be associated with pain and stiffness. It is quite common for people to show degenerative changes of the neck on x-ray but present without pain. Asymptomatic degenerative changes occur in about 50% of adults over the age of 40. 

  • Neck pain/aching
  • Stiffness
  • Reduced range of motion 
  • May have headaches 

  • Depending on the severity of presenting symptoms, treatment might involve more regular physiotherapy sessions initially (i.e. twice weekly or weekly sessions for 3-4 weeks)
  • This may be followed by several fortnightly sessions with a physiotherapist for exercise prescription and progression
  • An exercise physiologist can help with the development of a stretching and strengthening program to help you with long-term self-management
  • Physiotherapists 
  • Exercise physiologists

Congenital Muscular Torticollis

Congenital muscular torticollis is a condition in which an infant holds his or her head tilted to one side because of a shortening and tightening of one of the muscles in the front of the neck.

  • Head tilts to one side and the chin points to the opposite shoulder
  • 3:1 ratio of right to left
  • Stiffness of the neck
  • Follow up appointments to review progress are usually booked at fortnightly intervals 
  • Physiotherapists

Cervical Radiculopathy (‘Pinched Nerve’)

Cervical radiculopathy refers to pain and any neurological symptoms (i.e. numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the arms) caused by any condition that irritates a nerve root in the neck.

  • Neck pain that radiates into the arm
  • Associated numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the arms
  • Stiffness associated with the underlying condition that is causing irritation of the nerve root
  • Most cases of radiculopathy resolve within 8-12 weeks 
  • Physiotherapy sessions twice a week for 2-3 weeks, followed by weekly sessions up until the 6-week mark. Depending on progress, physiotherapy sessions can be pushed back to once a fortnight
  • Exercise physiologists can help with exercise prescription in the later stages to assist with restoring muscle strength and function
  • Physiotherapists
  • Exercise physiologists