What is a Bone Spur?
A bone spur is formed as the body tries to repair itself from repeated injury. To do this, the body forms an extra layer of bone at the site of the trauma. People who suffer from arthritis can develop bone spurs in the joints where their cartilage has begun to deteriorate, sometimes forming a barrier for nerve roots to exit the spinal canal.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bone Spur?
Many people with bone spurs will not even be aware that they have them, until they start causing pain. This pain is experienced when the spur begins to press on other bones or tissues causing swelling, and tearing in your muscles and tendons. If the spur is located in your foot, calluses or corns are likely to develop over them.
Bone spurs can be developed anywhere on the body but are common in the feet, hips, knees and spine. When they are found in the discs between vertebrae, it’s typically caused from the wearing down of ligaments and the body thickening those ligaments in an attempt to heal. Over time, the ligaments can calcify causing compression and pain from the additional material present.
How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help?
When spurs are located in the body, seeking out chiropractic care can restore the curve and flexibility to the spine or joint affected. By correcting the underlying cause of the spur, the body can then begin to absorb the bone spur and aid in the relief of discomfort and symptoms associated. Chiropractic adjustments can improve mobility, helping the body to heal itself naturally.
Maintaining your spinal health by regular chiropractic adjustments makes a person less likely to develop bone spurs. If you are suffering from pain related to bone spurs, contact our office to see how Dr. Knight can help!