Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony growths that develop along the edge of a joint, usually in response to long-term joint change and loading. They are common on imaging and may cause no symptoms at all, so seeing one on an X-ray does not automatically identify the source of pain.
To lift without hurting your back, the factor that matters most is not spinal shape but distance. The practical order follows from that: get close, get a grip, lift with the legs, and turn with the feet rather than the waist. Splitting a heavy load into two trips is usually the cheapest solution available.
Chiropractic care first is an argument about sequence rather than superiority. Conservative options are reversible; injections and surgery are not. Where both paths are reasonable, beginning with the one that can be undone costs little and can save a great deal, which is why most back pain guidelines place conservative care ahead of invasive steps.
