What bone spurs look like.
Neck bone spurs are when a normal bone in the neck grows a little bit of extra bone. The extra bit juts out and can cause pain when it rubs against other bones and nerves. Bone spurs are medically named osteophytes and they are common among the elderly. They can also be indicators of spinal deterioration.
Ice
The first thing to do when naturally treating bone spur problems is to reduce any inflammation in the neck area. This can be done by simply applying an ice pack to the inflamed area a few times each day. Ice works as a great anti-inflammatory.
Curcumin and Flaxseed
Take 500 to1000 mg. of curcumin 3 to 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Curcumin is a pigment in turmeric, but it has been found effective in treating bone spurs. Some studies have shown that it can be as effective as cortisone. This treatment can take up to 6 weeks to work so in the meantime, you can use a flaxseed hot pack to relieve the pain. To make a hot pack, heat linseed oil in a pan but don't boil it. Once it is hot, dip a cheesecloth in the oil until it is saturated. Place the cheesecloth on your neck, then place a larger piece of plastic over it. Finally, place a heating pad on top of the plastic to keep the pack warm. Use the heat pack for an hour or two at a time whenever the pain bothers you.
Supplements
Take calcium (1,200 mg) and magnesium (600 mg) supplements. Keeping these two elements in balance will reduce the chance of bone spurs forming. Taking a digestive enzyme like betaine HCI will help your body absorb more of the supplements.
Natural Anti-Inflammatories
Many natural products can act as natural anti-inflammatories that will help reduce neck and shoulder pains caused by neck bone spurs. These products include: aloe vera juice, glucosamine sulfate, shark cartilage, bromelain, evening primrose oil and kelp.
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