Spondylosis is age-related degeneration of the spine. Though it can't be cured, you don't have to simply live with the pain.

 If you wake up with a stiff neck or back or have pain that is worse in the morning and at night, you might be experiencing spondylosis, the result of constant wear and tear on the vertebrae and cartilage of the spine.

Spondylosis is also known as cervical spondylosis, because it affects the cervical section of your spine — that is, your neck. Other names for it are cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis. The pain of cervical spondylosis can spread into your shoulder or down your arm.

Though most commonly seen in the neck region, spondylosis can affect other parts of the spine and cause back pain. Thoracic spondylosis affects the mid-back and lumbar spondylosis affects the lower back, says Anne Coffey, DC, a chiropractor with AllCare Health Associates in Totowa, N.J.

Spondylosis Symptoms and Your Risk

Not everyone with spondylosis has symptoms, but some people have severe cases with weakness, numbness, and pain — particularly back pain. "Most commonly," Dr. Coffey says, "people notice a decrease in mobility (range of motion) and complain about stiffness."

You may experience headaches from cervical spondylosis, typically in the back of the head. Loss of balance is also a symptom, though rare.

The most common cause of spondylosis is simply aging — the natural wear and tear that occurs as we age, Coffey says. However, everyone is different. "The natural part of aging affects some people more than others, depending on how we use or overuse our bodies," she says.

Related: Spinal Cord Stimulation for Back Pain Relief

Spondylosis Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose spondylosis, your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms and medical history. He may order X-rays, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, or a CT (computed tomography) scan to determine the extent of your condition. He also may order an EMG (electromyography) if he is concerned about nerve irritation or nerve damage.

Spondylosis cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Helpful treatments include:

• Hot and cold packs.Applying heat can help reduce some pain and soreness in joints and muscles. Applying cold to inflamed areas may also help reduce swelling. You might find that hot baths and showers provide relief.
• Good posture.Your posture can influence the way you look and feel. If you have spondylosis, it's important that you try to stand tall. Bending over tends to increase pain in the spine, so be careful about your body mechanics.
• Chiropractic care. Chiropractic manipulation or mobilization can help reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving or maintaining joint function.
• Physical therapy and exercise. Exercises performed under the supervision of a physical therapist can help reduce pain. By exercising regularly, you will improve your posture and flexibility, which can lessen your pain.
• Medications.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce inflammation in affected areas and are the first line of treatment for the pain and stiffness spondylosis causes. Other medications include muscle relaxants and those used to treat chronic pain, including antidepressants.
• Cortisone injections. These are given in specific areas of the spine.
• Surgery. Surgery is a last resort for patients who don't respond to conservative treatment or who lose mobility because of the degenerative changes caused by the spondylosis.

In most cases, spondylosis is not preventable, but it helps if you try to avoid neck and spine injuries by wearing protective equipment when playing sports and by taking proper care of your back and spine with good posture, regular exercise, and a healthy diet.

If you suspect that your neck or back pain could be spondylosis, talk to your doctor about the symptoms and treatments that might work best for you.