Nonoperative treatment of degenerative cervical disk disease.

The therapeutic goal in treating patients with degenerative neck pain is prompt return to normal activity with the least diagnostic and therapeutic expense. Although many noninvasive treatment modalities exist, most are based on empiricism and tradition and lack scientific validation. With few exceptions, degenerative cervical pain syndromes require an initial period of conservative therapy, since their natural course favors spontaneous resolution. Patients with a clinical history suggestive of either progressive myelopathy, infection, or malignancy warrant more aggressive initial assessment and treatment.