Spinal bone spurs can produce painful symptoms that make enjoying everyday life difficult. Also known as an osteophyte, a bone spur is a smooth calcium deposit that can form in response to friction on a bone causing irritation. A bone spur usually won’t require treatment unless it comes into contact with the spinal cord or a nearby nerve root. If this happens, symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle weakness, numbness and muscle cramps can appear.

Home spinal bone spur treatments

If you would prefer to avoid medications and go the all-natural route, there are a number of bone spur treatment options that you can try from the comfort of your home once your physician has approved them. Options include:

• Alternating hot and cold compresses
• Performing light stretching and strengthening exercises
• Utilizing better posture
• Losing excess weight
• Using ginger or apple cider vinegar to reduce inflammation
• Enjoying periods of targeted rest

Many individuals also try various alternative treatments to treat spinal bone spur pain. Chiropractic manipulation can help improve the alignment of the spine, and massage therapy is a great way to relieve muscle tension and back spasms. If you would prefer to do some form of exercise, restorative yoga and Pilates can both help strengthen the muscles that support the spine, potentially helping to relieve pain and inflammation.

When home remedies fail

Unfortunately, nonsurgical bone spur treatment options can only address the symptoms and not the underlying cause. If you’ve tried various treatments for several months and you are still being bothered by pain and other symptoms, you may want to research your surgery options, including minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care. Our procedures utilize a less than 1-inch incision and muscle-sparing techniques and require no lengthy recovery.^ If this sounds like an option you’d like to consider, we’d be happy to provide you with a free MRI review* to help determine if you are a candidate for our procedures.

For additional information, contact USA Spine Care today and see for yourself why we are the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery.