[gchappel]

I read these everyday. Not sure of your age, but the minimal spurring described is very common over 50, in fact I can find spurs in essentially everyone over 35. They mean little, and may not correlate with symptoms.
You can have significant disc disease, including acute large disc herniations, with a normal xray.
MRI and CT much more sensitive, if needed. This would be based on symptoms and physical exam. Increasing core muscle strength, stretching, losing weight, etc can all help. But with appropriate symptoms such as strength loss, reflex changes, pain, etc further evaluation may be needed.
Good luck
Gary