We get this question a lot, what is the cracking sound when your spine gets a manipulation?
You see, some people have an image in their head that we are cracking bones, and it is bad. Let me just say right now that is simply not true!
As a chiropractor we are manipulating the vertebrae of your spine and gapping the tiny joints that are out of alignment. This misalignment can cause irritations to your nervous system, pulling of tight muscles and ligaments and is a common cause for backpain.
But when we align these joints it releases air pockets of nitrogen that make that cracking sound, and because we are moving them back towards their normal position. It feels good
I’ll give you an example.
We all know that if you pull your fingers it will make a cracking sound.
This is not cracking your bones this is actually pulling your bones apart and the change in pressure creates a pop just like it would if you are a suction cap on some glass and you pulled that quickly it would also pop.
Well the faster the movement the bigger of the pop. And the same is true for when we manipulate the spine
During the day your spine and joints become inflexible or stiff especially if you work at a desk for 8-10 hours a day, Or you might have old whiplash injuries or sporting injuries.
Chiropractors feel these subluxation in your spine and we open them back up with some gentle stretching and adjustments which cause the popping noise. It sounds different in parts of your spine. For example when we adjust the lower back the joint size is larger than the neck and it sounds louder when we adjust those vertebrae. But for you the patient because the neck is closer to the ears…. it sounds louder to you!
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In saying all this, even if you don’t hear a popping or cracking sound, that doesn’t mean we haven’t aligned your spine it just means the air pocket didn’t release.
There are techniques that we use that don’t crack the spine. For example we have an instrument that will rely on the spine without cracking we have tables at lift up and drop down that can realign the spine.
So rest assured your adjustment is all the same with or without the noise.
Another question I get asked regularly is it safe?
Well that’s a topic on its own….. but let me just say this. I would not do it to my own family if it were not safe. Chiropractic has an extremely good history with treating people and our insurance premium rates are extremely low meaning our risk is very low.
So lets go over some top reasons why you should get regular adjustments
- Instant pain relief
- Get full mobility and flexibility
- Lower stress levels, because a healthy nervous systems, handle stress better
- Correct a long term problem
- Recovery from trauma
- Prevention of future arthritis