From the Guidelines

Yes, cervical spondylosis has treatment options available.

The treatment for cervical spondylosis typically involves conservative measures, with the goal of managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Most cases of acute cervical neck pain with radicular symptoms resolve spontaneously or with conservative treatment measures 1.
Conservative treatment may include physical therapy, pain management with medications, and lifestyle modifications.
In some cases, imaging may not be required at the time of initial presentation if there are no red flag symptoms, as spondylotic changes are commonly identified on radiographs and MRI in patients over 30 years of age and correlate poorly with the presence of neck pain 1.

It's essential to identify red flag symptoms, which may indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as:

Trauma
Malignancy
Prior neck surgery
Spinal cord injury
Systemic diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, inflammatory arthritis, suspected infection
History of intravenous drug use
Intractable pain despite therapy
Tenderness to palpation over a vertebral body If red flag symptoms are present, imaging may be necessary, and treatment should be tailored to address the underlying condition 1.

Radiographs are appropriate as initial imaging for cervical or neck pain in the absence of red flag symptoms or if there are unchanging chronic symptoms 1.
Noncontrast MRI is usually appropriate for assessment of new or increasing radiculopathy due to improved nerve root definition 1.
Joint, medial branch blocks, or discography may be considered as a first-line test in the evaluation of patients with prior cervical spine surgery and new or increasing nontraumatic cervical or neck pain or radiculopathy 1.

From the Research

Cervical spondylosis can be treated with various methods, including activity modification, neck immobilization, isometric exercises, and medication 2
Conservative treatment is often the first line of treatment, and it can be effective in managing symptoms such as neck pain and radiculopathy 3
Surgical intervention may be necessary for patients with severe or progressive neurologic deficits, and it can be performed through anterior or posterior approaches 2, 4

Nonoperative modalities such as physiotherapy, analgesia, and selective nerve root injections can be effective in managing symptoms of cervical spondylosis 3
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating radicular cervical spondylosis, with studies demonstrating significant improvements in pain and function 5, 6

Surgical treatment for cervical spondylosis can involve decompression and fusion, and it is often performed through an anterior approach 4
The choice of surgical treatment depends on the individual patient's condition and symptoms, and it should be tailored to their specific needs 4
Studies have shown that surgical treatment can be effective in improving symptoms and function in patients with cervical spondylosis, with good initial results expected in about 70% of patients 2, 4

Acupuncture and intradermal needling have been shown to be effective in treating cervical spondylosis-related neck pain, with significant improvements in pain and function 6
These alternative therapies may be considered for patients who have not responded to traditional treatments or who prefer a more holistic approach 6