The human body is a fascinating piece of art. We call it art due to the way it functions. There is so much involved in even the simplest actions that we do. For example; according to a quote from Bright Side, “50,000 cells in your body died and were replaced by new ones while you were reading this sentence.” How’s that for a WOW fact? However, as amazing as it is, unfortunately, the human body is imperfect. As such, it is prone to aches and pains, deformities, sickness and all other kinds of ailments that we experience. One such ailment is bone spurs.
What are bone spurs?
Bone spurs, also known as osteophyte, are basically an abnormal growth of bone or an outgrowth of a small bone in the affected area. They are often found to appear among the joints of the bones or even among ligaments and tendons that play a part in attaching the bones. Affected areas can be the neck, above or on the sides of the foot, the shoulders, the toe, the wrists, knee and heel. They sound scary, we know, after all who would want an outgrowth of bone, right? So, should you be worried about having it?
Hello, are you a bone spur?
In all honesty, we hope you don’t have a bone spur. But if you are worried about having it, then consider these questions: Is the area you consider to be affected paining? How about numbness? Does it look swollen? Are you having difficulty walking? If your answer to all these questions is a yes then chances are, you may have bone spurs. However, it’s always good to go get yourself checked. Better to be sure than sorry. Now, if you do have bone spurs, how can you treat it? Is there a way to heal bone spurs? Before we can get to that, lets first see what causes a bone spur.
What Causes Bone Spurs?
Bone spurs are basically your body’s defense tactic. To put it in a simple and understandable way, the bones that come together to form a joint, have a layer of cartilage in between them. Due to other disorders like Osteoarthritis (the failure of one or more joints to function properly) or Tendinitis (the inflammation of tendons), the cartilage gets damaged. With no cartilage to separate the bones on the joints, they are in constant touch with each other, resulting in strain.
If this continues over a period of time, the bones act to stabilize themselves. How? By forming new bones or calcium deposits to protect from harm. When this overgrowth irritates the nearby ligaments or tendons, it causes pain. Bone spurs can also obstruct nerves and can inflame them. Now that we know what bone spurs are, we can all agree, we don’t want them. But, if we have them or might get them in the future, it’s good to know how to heal bone spurs. Going to the doctor however, may cost a fortune. Instead, there are many natural remedies that can help get rid of bone spurs without surgery. So, lets consider 15 of such osteophyte treatments.
Natural treatments for bone spurs (Osteophyte)
Get some Epsom salt
Did you know that of all the magnesium stored in the human body, half of it is present in the bones? What does this have to do with Epsom salt you may wonder. Well, for one thing, Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate and is a great help to relieve pain. This works best for bone spurs in your heel. To use Epsom salt, the best way is to put it in water. This process is called an Epsom salt bath. Essentially, all you have to do is to is add about a cup of Epsom salt in water and gently massage your heels. This works wonders.
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV
Acid in the body is essential for many reasons. However, when acid build up becomes more than its usual count, this could eventually lead to bone spurs. Apple Cider Vinegar isn’t your “permanent cure” method, but if you need relief from the pain immediately (which you will) then this is a great choice. ACV has other benefits. Basically, the extra growth in a bone spur is calcium, ACV helps to greatly reduce the excess calcium, thus contributing to heal bone spurs. It also helps reduce swelling and pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar can be administered either by dinking it or by soaking a cotton or a towel in it and applying to the affected area.
Balanced Recreation
Sports or activities that require you to move and expend a lot of energy are to be given a serious thought. We agree, it is hard to not do them, but it isn’t worth risking a permanent injury. Activities like dancing, bowling etc. involve a lot a muscle movement. Now, because they can’t be stop, the best solution is take the appropriate amount of precaution. Try not sticking to one position and remember, a break from time to time is very important.
Use Borax
Borax is sodium borate or rather, natural borax is. Borax is also a detergent, how convenient. But don’t let that confuse you, natural borax, from a bone’s perspective is like Beethoven, very relaxing. Firstly, it prevents acid build up, thus preventing bone spurs. Then, it helps control your calcium. Due to which, for someone suffering with bone spurs, pain relief couldn’t come quicker.
Take about half a teaspoon of borax and mix it with cold water. Don’t shake but stir the mix until you’re sure the last of the borax has been dissolved. Now, all you need to do is to soak the affected area for about 25 to 30 minutes. Do this every night before bed time for a few weeks and you will see the difference.
Ice Pack
Surely you didn’t think something as simple as an ice pack would help. Well, if you want fast relief, then placing the ice pack on the affected area can help. Essentially, it helps to fix the swelling and soothe the pain.
Baking Soda
Giving your pH levels a rise, baking soda quickly helps to subside pain and any inflammation. Drinking about half a teaspoon of baking soda in filtered water puts your body in an alkaline state. If you’re wondering if that’s good, then yes. It is good, very good. Doing this for about 2-3 weeks should be enough to bring your pH levels high enough to ensure speedy recovery.
Taking baking soda in this way helps fix areas that soaking can’t. Because you’re taking it internally, such a treatment can affect areas like the knee. You can’t kneel and sit down in a bath for 20-25 minutes, that would only aggravate the spur. However, this way you can be sure of the affects. Also, if the fix is internal it’s actually a lot better.
Cabbage leaves
If you’re wondering as to how, then that’s the right question. If you’re asking why, then we suggested you try it. Cabbage leaves are great to treat bones spurs in the neck. They can be used for other parts too. Its affect is mainly toward reducing pain and swelling.
Boil the leaves on low flame until they’re soft. After this, you will need to place the leaves over the affected area and you can keep them there by tying a gauze bandage around them. The only time you remove them is when they’re completely dry. Do this after a day’s work, probably in the evening for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a great remedy for bone spurs and not just because of its natural healing agents. It is rich in fatty acids that in turn help the body take in necessities like vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and boron. Remember reading about them earlier? Yeah, the coco is good. So how is the intake done?
Actually, it’s not that complicated. You can consume about one or two tablespoons a day and massage some of it on the infected area. Oh, and a very important point. Don’t, and we mean don’t consume processed coconut oil. That’s the worst decision you can make, instead use virgin coconut oil. Its organic and safe.
Spice it up with spices
Turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper are spices all known for their remarkable pain relieving properties. It’s is no wonder that they are used so often. For bone spurs, these work wonders. All you have to do is mix these spices in bowl and save it. Any time you need to use it, just take about a teaspoon of the mixture and put it in water. Drinking this concoction also helps reduce swelling.
Workout
Yes, we did ask you to be balanced with recreation, workout however is another thing entirely. Workouts involve precise body moments designed to strengthen and enhance bone and muscle strength. Although, too much of this can also be harmful. In its moderation, workouts can be a real blessing. Specific workouts centered to the area where the pain or inflammation is being experienced will bring great results. Simple exercises like stretching your calf muscles can be very beneficial.
Exercises that increase joint mobility include cycling and swimming. Do this in moderation however, you don’t want to aggravate your condition. It is a best practice to start slow and build from there.
Fish Oil
Great for arthritis and great for bone spurs, fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 in turn is great to treat bone spurs. Why? Because they reduce pain, swelling and join aches greatly. Apart from this, fish oil has many other health benefits. So, it well and truly is a win-win. Fish oil comes in capsules, so take the right amount from a professional who knows you. Preferably a family doctor.
Flaxseeds
Another great alternative for fish oil is flaxseed oil. This too is rich is omega-3 fatty acids and is effective in reducing pain and inflammation. A major problem with bone spurs is stiff bones. Flaxseed oil has properties that help with this problem too.
To make the best use of flaxseed oil warm it up. After which, using cheesecloth or similar, soak and apply in the effected area. Now comes the tricky part. You need to cover this area. To do this, you may use a plastic cover. Once done, avoid moving too much. It’s for your own good.
Massage
A massage can do wonders for your bone spur. By increasing the blood flow in your body, it enhances the process of healing and building scar tissue. The affect is great when the oil being used is warmed. This helps the tissue to become more resilient.
A massage rejuvenates the muscles and above all relaxes and stretches them. Bone spurs need this as they can get ridged. The more ridged they get, the more the pain increases.
The Right Shoe
If you haven’t thought about it, then you should be. The right pair of shoes can be a paradise for your feet. So, when it comes down to footwear, don’t cheap out. Especially if you have a bone spur in your heel. The right shoe ensures that your feet are sitting well. Long periods of standing with bad shoes puts a lot of pressure on your heel. That pain can result in an aggravation of the bone spur. You don’t want that.
Is your diet alkaline?
Having an alkaline diet is extremely important. To put it simply, less alkaline equals more chances of bone spurs. Why? Good question. Well, every human body requires a good acid/alkaline balance. This is usually referred to as pH balance where in, pH is the “potential of hydrogen”. Now, a normal pH level is 7. That means, if the levels aren’t at 7 then there is a problem with the acid/alkaline balance. That means, you either have high acidic or high alkaline levels. You don’t want either.
Too much alkaline, and absorbing calcium becomes a problem. Too much acid, and that’s when the problem of bone spurs starts. Calcium is attracted to the acidic areas because it’s alkaline. So where does the body get calcium from? The bones! It does this to match the reduced acidic levels. The result of too much acidity? Bone spurs!
Your diet therefore should be to avoid acidic foods. Basically, anything refined, processed, junk food and even alcoholic is acidic in nature. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables are a great source of alkaline. Yogurt is also good in this regard.
A point to remember
Bone spurs aren’t easy to deal with. So, if you don’t have it, do your best to make sure that you don’t get it. However, if you do, then the above remedies should provide you with relief. Understanding how and what bone spurs are, is an important factor in their cure. Because once you understand them, you can treat them better. Each person works different, so what may work for one person needn’t work with you. Therefore, take some time to analyze yourself and then get to fixing them. We’re sure you’ll find a cure that suits you and helps you with your bone spurs.
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