Properly identifying discomfort in the spine as bone spur symptoms is important because there are many other spinal conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are growths that form in the body's joints in response to instability and abnormal movement. When it comes to the spine, osteophytes often affect degenerative facet joints which have been afflicted with osteoarthritis. Bone spurs themselves are not painful, but pain can arise if the bony growths come in contact with the spinal cord or a nerve root.

Where Symptoms Can Arise

Nerve compression can lead to a variety of symptoms, which can arise in different areas of the body, depending on the location of the bone spur. For example, a bone spur in the cervical (neck) region of the spine could compress one of the eight nerve root pairs (C1-C8) that extend from the spinal cord. Symptoms could range from neck and shoulder pain, to radiating numbness, weakness, tingling, and pain in the upper back, arms, and hands.

Similar bone spur symptoms could affect the thoracic (mid-back) region of the spine, although this area, supported by the ribcage, is considerably more stable than the cervical and lumbar (lower back) regions. The thoracic spine has 12 nerve root pairs (T1-T12), which innervate the inner arms and armpits, middle back, abdomen, chest, and the lower part of the shoulders. If a bone spur compresses one of these nerves, focal pain could affect the middle back and radiating pain and tingling could affect the chest, stomach, and some internal organs. A pinched thoracic nerve could cause lower body weakness and numbness, and in rare cases, lower body paralysis.

Finally, a bone spur in the lumbar region of the spine could come into contact with one of the five nerve root pairs (L1-L5) or the sciatic nerve in that location. The lumbar spine is particularly susceptible to degenerative changes and the development of bone spurs due to its high level of mobility and weight bearing responsibilities. Nerve compression in this area could cause lower back pain and muscle weakness, as well as radiating pain, numbness, and tingling in the hips, buttocks, legs, and feet.

Treatment Methods

Treatment of spinal bone spur symptoms typically starts out conservatively, or non-surgically. Doctors recommend these conservative methods as a way to alleviate pain, strengthen muscles so that they provide better support to the spine, reduce compression in the spinal column, and reduce tissue inflammation. Such methods usually include:

• Cold and/or heat therapy
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroid injections
• Low-impact exercise
• Light stretching

Sometimes, patients choose to explore alternative, or all-natural, treatment methods. Treatments such as herbal therapy, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture take a holistic approach to pain relief of bone spur symptoms. Whether alternative methods are truly effective is often questioned by members of the mainstream health care system, as there is little evidence to support their efficacy. Patients should always consult with their doctor and/or a natural health specialist to ensure that treatments are safe and in accordance with the patient's needs before starting any bone spur treatment regimen.