What Really Happens When You “Crack” Your Back

Chances are you know someone who frequently cracks their own back – or maybe you’re guilty of it yourself. Many people who experience back pain do get temporary relief from cracking their back, but it’s not a long-term solution for pain.  Your back should not feel tight or stiff on a regular basis. A healthy back should always feel comfortable and loose. That’s why feeling as if you need to frequently crack your own back should be taken as a warning sign that not all is well on the spinal front.  Here’s what really happens when you crack your own back and why you should avoid it…

The method used by most people to crack their backs is to twist or stretch, which then releases tiny bubbles of gas in the spinal joints and creates the classic popping sound you hear.  When there are spinal joints that have restricted range of motion, the joints above and below overcompensate and move too much. So, when a person directs force to an area of the spine, it’s likely to affect the joints above and below the actual restricted joint, thereby causing the problem itself to worsen.

The second issue with forced popping of your own back is the lack of training in proper movement of the joints.  As ligaments, tendons and joint capsules are often stretched beyond what is needed and/or healthy to get the desired result you are likely to cause even more injury or discomfort to the surrounding areas. Daily cracking can cause the cartilage to wear out, leading to pain or possibly tendon and ligament tears.  This can lead to injury that could plague you for a lifetime.

If you or someone you know is experiencing discomfort and needs a proper adjustment, call us at (910) 246-0606 to schedule an appointment!!!