SELF-ADJUSTING

Self-Adjusting, Is It Right?

I hear this so often, “I crack my own neck to get relief, but it only last for a while”.

You may feel the urge to crack, manipulate, or adjust your own neck or back because it feels good and brings some sense of satisfaction. Even though a spinal adjustment doesn’t require a cracking sound for it to be effective, hearing your back crack often provides the feeling or actual sensation that you’ve released some tension, tightness, or pain. That sense of “relief” is a result of the nerve stimulation affecting the joint as well as the muscles that moves that joint. But why is the relief short term?

Well, this is because that self-manipulation or crack is neither accurate nor effective in relieving the tension in the restricted joint. What is in fact happening is that the joint above and below the restricted joint are the ones moving & popping. Therefore, the correct nerve root has not been stimulated and the pain and discomfort will eventually return.

In general, it’s safe for you to crack your back, neck and knuckles and the act may promote feelings of relaxation and improve range of motion. However, over manipulating a specific joint may result in increased joint laxity and instability.

It is best to see a Chiropractor, who specializes in joint manipulation, to assess and adjust the specific joint that is restricted safely and accurately to provide the relief you need.

Cracking your own back won’t lead to any health issues if you do it safely, but its best if you leave it to the professionals to maximize relief and minimize injury. Make sure you Stretch and exercise to promote a healthy spine and make sure to make an appointment with Hughes Chiropractic if you are struggling with long-term, recurring, or severe neck/back pain.

Below are some myths that have been associated with cracking your back.

1. Can you get arthritis from cracking your back?

One of the most frequently asked questions in practice is “will clicking my own knuckles lead to arthritis”. The answer is a simple no. Clicking your knuckles won’t cause arthritis nor will it cause joint enlargement.

Chiropractic care is known for helping to ease symptoms of arthritis.

2. The “pop” is bones crunching together.

The sound you hear during an adjustment is a result of negative pressure in the joint causing nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to expand into gas bubbles in the synovial fluid surrounding and lubricating your joints. Putting pressure on this fluid when you stretch or twist your spine causes these gases to be released; this causes the “POP”.

3. Cracking my back will stunt my growth.

This just isn’t the case. Spinal adjustments and manipulation relieves pressure between facet joints and spinal discs, which isn’t related to growth. Instead, growth occurs at the epiphyseal plate in long bones.

4. I can’t get adjusted whilst I am pregnant

Approximately 50% of pregnant women will experience back pain at some point before they deliver. Getting adjust while you’re pregnant is absolutely safe and beneficial to you and the baby. Being pregnant comes with all its own challenges. Seeing a Chiropractor, can make for an easier pregnancy and delivery.

Cheers,

Team Hughes Chiropractic

(Blog post is written from a combination of my experiences and the various research I have read over time).