ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES SERIES :37 BONE SPURS

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

BONE SPURS


SYMPTOMS

• stiffness or pain in the neck or back.

• “pins and needles” tingling in the neck, arms, or hands.

• Dizziness, headache, difficulty in maintaining balance.

• Sharp pain when putting weight on one or both feet.

WHAT IS BONE SPURS

Almost everyone has waked up with stiff neck or a backache at one time or another, especially after an injury or strenuous physical activity. Occasionally, however, you may experience sudden shooting pains that are not linked to particular event. Problems like these often go away on their own, but sometimes they are signs of a more serious condition, such as arthritis. a potential cause of such pain can be spurs, arising from abnormal growth in the ends of bones, especially in the spine or extremities. Bone spurs may cause excruciating pain when they interfere with nerves or muscles during normal activity.

CAUSES

Bone spurs are the result of changes over time to the ends of the bones that meet in joints, particularly the vertebrae that make up the spinal column. The fibrous cushions, or disks, between vertebrae tend to toughen and shrink with age. Meanwhile, the though, elastic cartilage at the ends of the bones progressively hardens. As the space between vertebrae becomes narrower, the pains to compensate for the loss by growing knobby enlargements, commonly called bone spurs. This growth are often seen in older people who have disk problems, but they also can occur in young adults especially athletes, dancers, or labourers who put unusual stress on muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Unlike the rounded ends of bones in normal joints, spurs do not develop a layer of protective cartilage. In some cases, the new bony surface eventually smooth themselves through normal movement. But when they don’t, bone spurs can rust other bony surface, nerves, or other blood vessels, causing pain and inflammation. When such bony growths appear in the upper vertebrae of the neck, the condition is called cervical osteoarthritis. Bony spurs can also be cause of sciatica. A particularly bothersome condition occurs when a spurs develop in the foot (right), causing pain when standing or walking.

DIAGNOSTIC TEST PROCEDURES

Since back pain can have various causes, the usual case for complication due to spinal bone spurs is an x-ray or a CT scan of the affected area of the spine. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or electromyography (EMG) is often use to check for impairment of nerves or muscles.

TREATMENT

The discomfort caused by bone spurs can be alleviated through rest, good back support, and drug therapy.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

Your doctor will probably prescribe aspirin, ibuprofen, or another anti-inflammatory painkiller. To restrict movement and take pressure off a pinched nerve, you may have to wear an orthopaedic collar or back brace. Only in severe cases is surgical removal of bone spurs necessary, but even relief through surgery may be temporary, since spurs can grow back. If a spurs develops on a weight bearing bone in the foot, the doctor may recommend a foam rubber pad for your shoe, with a hole cut directly under the spurs to relieve pressure.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Alternative therapies focus on pain relief and body work to improve range of movement.

CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic manipulation may help relieve the pain caused by a degenerative problem in the vertebrae. A chiropractor may also use physical therapy to relieve the discomfort of a heel spur.

HOMEOPATHY

For localized neck and back discomfort, a homeopathy will typically prescribe a remedy base on whether the pain result from weather conditions, emotional stress, or mechanical strain. Before treating long term conditions, the practitioner may conduct an analysis of the patient’s genetic and psychological makeup.

YOGA

A trained instructor can prescribe effective yoga positions to relieve stress on affected areas and promote general relaxation and strengthening.

AT HOME REMEDIES

When minor back pain strikes, take an over the counter painkiller. After inflammation has subsided, apply a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Sleep on a firm mattress with a board under it, or on the floor with pillows beneath your head and calves.

PREVENTION

• Use your joints properly.

• Engage in moderate total body exercises such as walking, bicycling, swimming, and tennis.

• Lose excess weight.