Bone Spurs Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Oriental Medicine Insights

Osteophytes are the base of a protrusion commonly known as spurs. These generally develop at the edge, near the ends of bones, close to where they connect with other bones. They can also form in the bones of the spine, and it is very common for them to appear in the heels.

These are associated with osteoarthritis and can go unnoticed for years. This means they usually cause no symptoms until the protrusion is quite advanced. Once developed, they can cause the following symptoms: severe pain, loss of joint mobility, headaches, inflammation, and tears, among others.

These formations can be associated with physical injuries, obesity, gout, lupus, muscular inflammation, or sometimes from too much exercise, prolonged walking, or standing. They are considered calcium deposits.

From the perspective of Oriental medicine, they are believed to form due to several patterns, such as poor circulation, excess dampness, and phlegm, which eventually lead to calcifications.

These patterns are also linked to malnutrition. By malnutrition, I don’t mean starving children in extremely poor countries; I mean most of us in the Western world, living with full stomachs but malnourished due to high consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates and a lack of real, nutritious food.

Because we want to live the “crazy life” and continue consuming everything that “tastes good” without considering the consequences, we often end up using too many antacids, which temporarily “relieve” symptoms of excess acid, indigestion, and gas. This creates a false sense of well-being, allowing us to return to our indulgent habits a few hours later, consuming foods that “taste good” but are nutritionally poor. The use of antacids creates another problem: the stomach needs acid for digestion, and without it, digestion slows down. This leads to food fermentation, causing inflammation and accumulation that eventually prevents nutrient absorption and creates a fertile ground for bacteria, toxins, and what in Oriental medicine is called phlegm, which solidifies (calcifies) and often settles in the bones and joints.

Looking at it from another perspective, what are spurs, and traditionally in this country, who has spurs? Fighting roosters. Emotionally, this points to frustration and anger. This anger and frustration can be expressed verbally but not from a space of introspection and awareness—seeing things from an observer’s perspective rather than a reactive one. On the other hand, this anger may not have been expressed, and we may have “swallowed” our feelings for a long time until they explode somewhere.

What can we do?

1. Breathe.

2. Don’t take things personally, to avoid defensiveness.

3. Practice some form of movement, which helps release stress.

4. Practice transcendental meditation, which helps put things in perspective.

5. Ask yourself: Are you eating to live, or living to eat?

6. Consume real food—avoid processed foods.

7. Stop fearing flavors that aren’t sweet. We have an obsession with sugar. According to the Five Elements, nature offers salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and spicy flavors, and our diet should include all of them in balance.

8. Overcome the fear of green foods. Here on the island, there is a “fear of green” syndrome and another fear of food variety.

9. You can use digestive enzymes to support complete digestion and better nutrient absorption.

10. Turmeric (curcumin) helps with inflammation—use it in meals.

11. B-complex vitamins are highly beneficial. In cases of calcification, Vitamin B6 helps with hydrochloric acid production, essential for proper digestion and reducing excessive calcification.

12. Use apple cider vinegar in salads; it supports digestion.

13. Eat more raw vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits, which help cleanse the body and joints.

14. If the problem persists, seek help from a certified professional.

    
    

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