A spinal bone spur can develop when degeneration occurs to the point that vertebrae begin to come in contact with one another. Most often, this is the result of spinal disc degeneration or spinal osteoarthritis, a pair of conditions that are usually caused by the natural aging process and the gradual deterioration that occurs in the spine.

If you have been diagnosed with a spinal bone spur, there are a variety of potential symptoms that could affect your quality of life. These include localized or radiating pain, restricted movement, weakness in the extremities and numbness. Fortunately, there are both conservative and alternative spinal bone spur treatment options that can help reduce your symptoms so you can return to an active lifestyle.

Foods to eat when treating a spinal bone spur

When undergoing spinal bone spur treatment using nonsurgical methods, there are several types of foods that can help improve your body’s ability to heal and your overall bone health. They include:

• Leafy greens. Kale and bok choy are excellent sources of calcium, which is important to the bone resorption process.
• Citrus, tomatoes and berries. After an injury, vitamin C helps with the formation of collagen during the tissue-rebuilding phase, which can help reduce the chance of bone spur formation.
• Wheat bran/wheat germ. Betaine hydrochloric acid helps the body absorb minerals properly so calcium crystals don’t form at the site of an injury. Wheat bran, quinoa and several types of grains are excellent sources for this crucial amino acid.
• Beans and nuts. Magnesium, which can be found in many types of beans, nuts and leafy greens, helps cells build energy and assists calcium in bone building.

Treating a spinal bone spur with surgery

In many cases, several months of bone spur treatment using nonsurgical methods, such as physical therapy, hot/cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medications, will provide the measure of relief you are looking for. However, if the symptoms of your spinal bone spur are more severe and continue to persist, you may need to consider surgery.

At USA Spine Care, we are the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, which is a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back procedures.^ If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for one of our outpatient procedures as a spinal bone spur treatment, contact us today.