Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are extra bone growths on a normal bone. The name sounds sharp, but bone spurs can be smooth, often causing pain when pressing against other bones or soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, or nerves. 

Bone spurs are created when the body creates extra bone while trying to repair an injury, such as from pressure, rubbing, or stress, over a long period of time.

This commonly happens due to:

  • feet, due to excess weight bearing (obesity)

  • poorly fitted shoes,

  • degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis

  • repetitive stress

Common spots for bone spurs:

  • heels, may coincide with plantar fasciitis

  • shoulders

  • toes (bunions/corns)

  • Spine (may contribute to neuropathic pain, weakness and tingling of the extremities) 

Symptoms & Treatment

While bone spurs can be very painful, many people won’t know they have one & they can often be painless.

Massage therapy treatment of a bone spur can help with localized circulation to the area, decrease pain & improve or maintain the surrounding, irritated tissue Depending on the presentation, treatments suggested may be shorter in nature for a very targeted approach & may start with 1-2 times a week for 2-6 weeks. Great techniques to explore for this include Graston, Shockwave as well as Chiropractic care.

Homecare Ideas

Outside of treatment from one of our massage therapists or our Chiropractor, we’ll always suggest some simple ideas to help alleviate your pain, improve your mobility & interrupt the cycle of pain & irritation

For foot care ideas you can start to implement right away, you may want to consider the following:

  • Change your footwear, wear the most comfortable shoes you have (likely sneakers) until your pain has gone away. If going barefoot or sock feet at home is contributing to your discomfort than be sure to wear similar footwear indoors for short term relief.

  • To be barefoot or not….some people subscribe to the barefoot gospel but we’ve got some weary commentary on this as a practice for health ~ read more here.

  • Rest / ice / heat / foot soaks ~ with regards to hydrotherapy, your health provider may have specific recommendations based on your health profile. For more general advice on our take on water therapy click here.

  • Stretching ~ sometimes over stimulating tissue that’s already aggravated may irritate your foot based pain pattern, however, overall global stretching is a great idea for stress relief and wellness. If your feet get aggravated from stretching than you should be consulting with a health care practitioner and in the meantime, focus on stretching other areas of your body such as your lower leg muscles and hips.

  • Self massage ~ using your own hands (or those of a loved one). You can also use a massage ball to assist with gentle compression of the tissues.