Remedies for Neck Pain Caused by a Bone Spur

Osteophytes, or bone spurs, can be very painful and many people attribute their neck and back pain to them. However, many times the neck or back pain is not caused by the osteophytes at all, as bone spurs can indicate that there is a degeneration of the spine, which more than likely is causing the neck and back pain. There are a few treatments available that target bone spurs and the irritation they can cause.

The First Step

• The first step in managing bone spurs is taking an anti-inflammatory medication. Minor bone spurs can often be healed through four to six weeks of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants. Sometimes, however, when the pain is so severe, physical therapy is needed.

Get Physical

• One to two weeks of physical therapy can also be a useful way of treating bone spurs. By restoring flexibility and strengthening the back and neck, the nerves that are being compressed and causing the pain will decompress, thus your pain will dissipate. The third way of treating bone spurs is by receiving cortisone injections, which should only be used as a way of treating severe pain from bone spurs. The injections will stop the pain, but only temporarily.

Surgery

• For some patients surgery may be an option when motor loss is occurring. A surgical procedure known as a laminectomy aims to reduce and relieve the symptoms of bone spurs. Although a laminectomy often results in relief from symptoms, surgery should always be a last resort after other less-invasive options have been pursued.