Neck Arthritis

Written By Martin Spitzeck

Physiotherapy for Neck Arthritis (Cervical Spondylosis)

Physiotherapy for neck arthritis focuses on reducing stiffness, relieving pain, improving cervical mobility, and strengthening the neck to ease daily movements and prevent flare-ups caused by cervical joint degeneration.

Physiotherapy for Neck Arthritis – Expert Care for Stiffness & Pain

Neck arthritis, also known as cervical spondylosis, occurs when the joints, discs, and surrounding structures of the cervical spine gradually degenerate. This can lead to stiffness, pain, reduced mobility, nerve irritation, and difficulty with everyday activities such as driving, looking over the shoulder, or working at a desk.

Our physiotherapists specialise in assessing the cause of your symptoms and providing targeted treatment to reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and strengthen the supporting muscles of your neck.

Common Symptoms of Neck Arthritis

  • Morning stiffness and difficulty turning the head

  • Aching or sharp pain in the neck

  • Pain referring to the shoulder, upper back, or arm

  • Grinding or clicking when moving the neck

  • Muscle tightness and spasms

  • Headaches originating from the neck

  • Reduced movement when driving or working

  • Nerve symptoms such as tingling or numbness (in some cases)

Areas We Treat

1. Cervical Facet Joint Stiffness & Inflammation

Arthritic joints can become stiff or irritated, limiting movement.
Treatment includes:

  • Gentle joint mobilisation

  • Movement restoration techniques

  • Positioning strategies to reduce irritation

2. Neck Muscle Tightness & Protective Spasm

Arthritis often causes surrounding muscles to tighten as the body protects the spine.
We use:

  • Soft tissue release

  • Dry needling

  • Stretching and mobility work

3. Reduced Cervical Mobility & Flexibility

We restore normal neck motion to reduce stiffness and improve daily function:

  • Mobility exercises

  • Guided movement patterns

  • Thoracic spine mobilisation to reduce neck load

4. Posture-Related Neck Arthritis Pain

Forward head posture increases pressure on arthritic joints.
We address this using:

  • Ergonomic correction

  • Strengthening of deep neck stabilisers

  • Habit and movement retraining

5. Nerve Irritation From Arthritic Changes

Arthritis can narrow the spaces where nerves exit the spine.
We help by:

  • Improving mobility

  • Neural gliding exercises

  • Positioning to reduce nerve compression

6. Loss of Strength & Stability in the Neck

Weak supportive muscles allow increased strain on the arthritic joints.
Treatment includes:

  • Deep neck flexor strengthening

  • Scapular stability exercises

  • Functional strengthening for long-term support

Our Physiotherapy Treatment Approach

Your customised treatment plan may include:

  • Cervical joint mobilisation

  • Soft tissue therapy

  • Dry needling

  • Postural correction

  • Strengthening of neck and shoulder stabilisers

  • Neural mobility exercises (if needed)

  • Home exercise program for long-term control

  • Education on arthritis management, pacing & lifestyle adjustments

All treatment follows current clinical guidelines for managing cervical spondylosis and degenerative neck pain.

Book Your Neck Arthritis Assessment

If neck arthritis is limiting your movement, comfort, or daily activities, physiotherapy can help restore function and relieve pain safely and effectively.

Contact us today to start your recovery plan.

Martin Spitzeck
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Neck Related Headaches