Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes are a form of bony ridges that occur in joints among aged as well as mid-aged men and women. Generally, bone spur appears while a person is suffering from arthritis. Bone spur obstructs free movements in the joints and also causes swelling and severe pain. Bone spur occurs when the body is trying to enhance the bone area. This becomes necessary to distribute the body weight evenly across the joint surfaces when the parts of the joints are affected by diseases like arthritis. However, the bone spur becomes unnecessary extension of the body creating pain and restricting the movements. In most cases, bone spur acts as an indication for some other problems that needs urgent attention.

Causes of Bone Spur

Bone spur occurs generally as part of normal ageing process. It also happens due to physiological changes due to degeneration. Any alteration in calcification of bones often cause bone spurs. Bone spur is often found among sports persons who indulge in activities such as racing, weightlifting, jogging and dancing. Some times it occurs due to overweight of the body or obesity.

Bone spur normally occur in places such as hips, feet, knees, shoulders and hands. For some people bone spur occurs on the back of the body over the spinal bones. At times bone spurs can damage some nerves thereby the parts connected to that nerve can become numb. This leads to more complication. Bone spur can be identified with the help of several symptoms such as severe pain in the arms or legs, tingling or numbness in the joints and a feeling of constant weakness.

Home Remedies for Bone Spur

There are several simple and effective home remedies for bone spur available for curing bone spur. Apply a small piece of ice pack on the surface of bone spur area around 4 to 5 times in a day. If it does not relieve the pain, then try with heating pads. Turmeric is one of the effective home remedy for bone spur. Take 500 mg of yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcumin) in empty stomach 3 to 4 times in a day for 6 weeks. Another effective home remedies for bone spur is soaking both the feet in cold and hot water alternatively.

Take some flaxseeds in a hot pack and apply it on the affected bone in a warm condition. This instantly relieves the pain in the affected area. Mild exercises such as yoga and asana can cure bone spur. Always select shoes for comfort rather than look or style. Use heeled shoes made of rubber instead of leather. Never walk on hard surfaces such as wooden or congregate floors on bare foot with out wearing footwear. Perform swimming or bicycling exercises instead of jogging or walking.

Herbal remedies for Bone Spur

Linseed oil is of effective use and is well known as the apt bone spur treatment. Warm linseed oil only should be applied. A cloth is completely saturated in this warm linseed oil and applied on the affected area. This is then covered with another cloth or with a plastic sheet. Placing a pad to heat it often and keeping the pack warm is essential for quick healing. This should be repeated every hour.

Massaging the feet with ice can give good relief. Giving hot as well as cold foot baths are great bone spur home remedies. Dimethylsulfoxide gives very good relief even for acute symptoms of bone spur. Application of DMSO results in a body odor giving a smell of garlic. Arnica as well as chamomile is exceptionally good to bathe the feet or joints. These herbs can also be wrapped in the affected area. Bone spurs can be prevented by supplementing with maximum calcium as well as magnesium. Balancing these nutrients surely avoids abnormal deposits of calcium from forming.

Natural remedy for bone spur are of great convenience and comfort for people suffering with bone spur. They need not run from pillar to post as home remedies are simple and cost effective.