What Are the Treatment Options for Cervical Spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis treatments fall into two broad categories: conservative (non-surgical) treatment and surgical treatment. Approximately 70–80% of cervical spondylosis cases can be effectively alleviated or even cured through conservative management, which itself is divided into traditional and modern approaches.
Traditional treatment begins with accurate classification—cervical spondylosis is categorized into five or six distinct types, and the specific type determines the appropriate conservative strategy. These strategies include cervical traction, acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), cupping, and gua sha (scraping therapy), as well as certain modern rehabilitative physical therapies—all of which can yield excellent outcomes in managing cervical spondylosis.
However, if the condition is severe—particularly in cases of myelopathic cervical spondylosis, where spinal cord compression occurs—surgical intervention becomes essential. Severe spinal cord compression may lead to urinary and fecal incontinence and gait instability; thus, timely surgery is critical.