Hi MrPhysio+
Thanks for your response. I would hope that my views aren't seen as a criticism of the integrity or good intentions of the profression. No problem there. However, I am aware that, as a science, it is necessary to work off the same template, apply the same recommended textbook therapies, and compare results, in order to progress towards better solutions. If the textbook advice has been badly designed, then we are all groping in the dark. I still have uncomfortable memories of neck collars, mechanical traction, osteos, chiros, and even failed medications, so perhaps I feel entitled to be a little sceptical of textbook advice. However, progress, with it's litany of failures trailing behind, has been made and we are now hopefully entering an era of user-friendly therapies.

Because of it's exposure, the neck is probably the most protected organ in the body. It must always ensure some flexibility to guarantee survival. It must also protect the nerve roots before distribution to the body general etc. etc. As such, it comes with advanced integrated protective processes which allow functioning, even in critical situations. Understanding and accommodating these processes is the basis for all neck therapies. With Cervical Spondylosis, the neck is repeatedly and naturally overworked, trying to adjust itself for optimum, but limited, functioning. Adding additional exercises to this process, if in conflict with what is already happening, can delay symptom healing or exacerbate symptom intensity. As a patient, why would I want to risk such experimental or unproven methods. Doesn't make sense.

Regarding sleeping therapies, I realise how difficult it becomes to monitor home based therapies and arrive at accepted conclusions about their effect. However, I would ask one question to support any enquiries into their usefulness...." How come the duration of, and the intensity of different C/S symptoms can be altered by adopting different sleeping / napping postures ?" I know that I, as an individual patient, vouching for this is pretty worthless, but I have to ask if differing sleeping postures have ever been explored as a possible suitable therapy. In my small world it seems to work better than many less effective therapies I've experienced. A seemingly preposterous claim today might, in 20 years time, seem like common sense.

I appreciated your comments regarding being sensitive to the patients concerns because such interaction helps to empower the patient to rationalise their distress and perhaps begin a journey of self therapy. Most patients spend 99% of their time away from direct professional help, and it's important they don't get to view their condition as a repetitive 'crisis/must get treatment' condition. If good home therapies are advised, this cycle of dependancy can be broken.

I hope my posts aren't read as 'disgruntled with physios' (even if it reads like that sometimes !). I'm merely trying to add ideas to the equation which might help with less failures in the future....for us all.

Gerry