Back pain is one of the most common complaints in adults, and it’s the leading cause of disability worldwide. There are many issues that can cause back pain, such as old injuries, lack of muscle tone, imbalances, poor posture, sitting too much, and more As people age into their 60s and 70s, it’s more and more common for bone spurs in backs to start showing up in imaging tests. Many people have bone spurs in their back without knowing it.

Bone spurs form in a couple of different ways. Sometimes they’re a result of friction, and sometimes they form when there’s inflammation at the sites where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone. Much of the time, bone spurs aren’t painful, although they can be. If a doctor has told you that your back pain is due to bone spurs, they might not be seeing the full problem. It’s worth your time to seek a thorough assessment with a physical therapist.

Physical therapists primarily work with the musculoskeletal system and conditions and injuries that affect how it functions. They provide natural treatments that relieve pain from bone spurs and other back issues. Your PT will begin with an in-depth physical exam and ask questions about how your pain feels and when you notice it most. They can help you find out if your back pain is really caused by your bone spurs or if there’s another condition that may be contributing.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss why bone spurs sometimes cause back pain and outline seven physical therapy treatments that can help.

How do bone spurs in the back cause pain?

The name “bone spur” implies that these growths are long and pointy, which isn’t necessarily true. Most often, they’re smooth bumps that don’t get in the way of movement or cause any pain. The spaces between each vertebra contain multiple joints called facet joints. There are narrow places where nerves and the spinal cord pass through. Any interference with these joints or the delicate nerves and spinal cord can cause you pain. The size of your bone spurs and the location will affect how much pain you feel.

When bone spurs in the back are painful, it’s usually for one of these three reasons:

• Joint inflammation — Bone spurs in the tiny facet joints of the spine can cause vertebrae to grind against each other, creating friction and inflammation. You may be more likely to develop arthritis with bone spurs in these areas, which is a wearing away of the cartilage that pads the joints.
• Nerve root compression — Bone spurs in the passageways where spinal nerves pass through can cause pain, numbness, inflammation, or tingling. Nerve compression at the base of the spinal column can cause a condition called sciatica. This is when pain or numbness radiates down the lower back and the legs.
• Spinal cord compression — Spinal cord compression can occur anywhere in the spine when bone spurs grow inside the spinal canal. When the spinal cord has less space, you may feel pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck, back, arms, or legs. At advanced stages, it can also cause difficulty walking or standing, paralysis, and loss of bladder or bowel control.

7 physical therapy treatments that can help with bone spurs in the back

Often, when bone spurs are causing pain, there are other issues with posture, weakness, or imbalances contributing to the problem. Your daily movements and the position of your bones create compression and irritation. A physical therapist provides treatments that help create healthy movement and relieve compression and friction in the joints. These treatments can also help support your body’s natural healing process by increasing circulation in places where it has been limited.

The following physical therapy treatments can help with pain from bone spurs in the back:

1. Stretching — Full-body stretches and stretches that target specific parts of the spine can help relieve back pain from bone spurs. They do this by relieving pressure on soft tissue and improving joint mobility. Your PT will show you how to stretch your back safely and show you stretches that will have the most impact on your back pain.
2. Strengthening — When your core, chest, and back muscles are toned and strong, the bones of your spine are better supported. Your PT can guide you through a strengthening exercise program specifically created to improve your back pain. You’ll do some of the exercises together, and they may give you instructions for exercises to do at home. Some of the exercises will be aimed at increasing strength in certain areas. After that, you might have a slightly different program for maintenance.
3. Soft tissue manipulation — A component of manual therapy, this treatment relaxes muscles and increases circulation to keep soft tissue healthy. Your PT will use massage-like movements to release pressure and tension from tight knots called trigger points that may form around bone spurs. As proper circulation is restored, your back pain may decrease.
4. Heat and ice — You can use heat and ice therapy at home to help with pain and inflammation. Try using a heating pad for 10 to 20 minutes and alternating it with an ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes. Your physical therapist may also incorporate heat and ice with other treatments or instruct you to use this method for recovery after treatments.
5. Ultrasound — You’ve probably heard of ultrasound imaging tests. PTs use a different type of ultrasound wand to apply heat at specific points deep inside the soft tissue. This treatment can help with pain and inflammation from bone spurs in the back.
6. Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation can help with pain and inflammation. In some cases, it can also be used to help stimulate more bone growth around bone spurs for more stability. Your PT might suggest this if you’re recovering from spinal fusion surgery for bone spurs in your back.
7. Spinal decompression — Spinal decompression is a treatment that helps to gently stretch and reposition the spine, relieving pressure between vertebrae and the discs that cushion them. Your PT will use a manual lumbar traction table to reposition your spine in more comfortable positions than you can achieve with stretching alone.

Find relief from pain caused by bone spurs in your back at Lattimore PT

The shape and function of your back is affected by your posture and movements over long periods of time. Injuries can also affect your bone structure or cause you to compensate by holding unnatural positions. Many people who have back pain don’t realize that there are treatments that can help. The first step to receiving effective treatment is finding a care provider who fully understands the problem. The spine is a delicate structure that contains nerves that connect to virtually every part of your body. You should take care to work with someone who has the proper licensure and experience treating pain from bone spurs and related issues.

Other healthcare providers may not have the same insight into the musculoskeletal system as well-trained physical therapists do. At Lattimore PT, many of our PTs have a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT). To earn this certification, they need advanced training in assessing musculoskeletal conditions and creating personalized treatment plans for individual patients. Our PTs are experienced with spinal decompression techniques and other natural, noninvasive treatment methods.

Are you looking for relief from pain caused by bone spurs in your back? Contact our team today to find out if physical therapy is right for you.