Is Cracking Your Back a Good or Bad Thing For Your Body?
By Martha Michael
For many people, the idea of getting your back “cracked” is nothing more than a slumber party game from childhood. It was entertaining in more ways than one -- fun to watch, and with sound effects too! -- but the participant also got to feel its effects. As an adult, you know that “cracking” someone’s back is not something to play around with, but you may be unaware of the benefits of the procedure when a spine specialist does the job.
What laymen and kids know as “cracking the back” is really slang for a spinal adjustment, and it’s not necessarily good or safe when performed by a classmate or work colleague. Afterall, the spine encases the spinal cord, which means that if something goes terribly wrong, there’s a risk of paralysis by having a buddy try to get that popping sound. Performed by a chiropractor who understands how the joints and discs of the spine work together, a proper spinal adjustment is called spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). In the hands of a doctor of chiropractic, it is a valuable tool in your health arsenal. In the hands of a layman, it’s risky.
Let’s learn what it is about “cracking the back” that we like so much, why you should only trust someone who is trained to do it, and whether it is a good thing or a bad thing.
What Is Back Cracking?
The physiology behind the cracking noise you hear from your back or neck is the same whether it occurs naturally or is a treatment from your chiropractor. Sometimes referred to as cavitation, there’s no literal crack or break in your spine, according to an article by Healthline. It’s the sound of your joints releasing gas. When the capsules in your facet joints are stretched or receive pressure to move, the synovial fluid releases pockets of gas and makes a popping noise as it releases.
Benefits of Back Cracking
Sometimes you just feel the need to crack your back. One of the benefits of a treatment that includes the chiropractic adjustment is the release of endorphins. They’re chemicals in your brain that manage pain and promote feelings of calm and happiness.
Patients also gain a level of satisfaction from the sound of their back cracking, according to a study cited by Science Direct. There’s a placebo effect for people who give a therapeutic value to the noise made by the releases of gas from their joints. Like many medical treatments, it feels good even if you don’t have a complete understanding of the physical science behind it.
One of the treatments for a stiff back and upper body pain is cracking the joints in your neck or back, which can offer you immediate relief, according to an article by Well + Good.
“Cracking your neck or back may give you some short-term relief, but it provides no real long-term benefit,” says Dr. Dennis Colonello, DC, PT, the co-founder of all33, a chiropractic-inspired office chair company. “Finding a true resolution to the problem is all about posture, anatomically-correct alignment, and movement, and you should see a professional physical therapist, osteopath, acupuncturist, or chiropractor to figure out a true resolution.”
Who Should Crack Your Back?
It’s not bad to crack your back as long as you make safety your top priority and seek out a qualified professional. Your Uncle Bob, unless he’s a chiropractor, does not count as a qualified professional. If your joints need attention, it’s always safest to reach out to a chiropractor rather than putting stress on your spinal discs and risking injury by letting an unskilled person treat you. In addition to pain management and treating injuries, chiropractic care offers programs that mitigate some of the issues that can lead to chronic health problems.
For children or pregnant women who have trouble with their range of motion, a chiropractor may include safely cracking (adjusting) their back as part of their spinal treatment. An article in lifestyle magazine Womenio suggests seeing a chiropractor for tension relief throughout your pregnancy. It’s harder to do with each trimester, but your health is important from conception through delivery.
If urges to crack your back are turning family get-togethers into dangerous circus acts, take a pass on the fun and games for the safer option of getting treated by a specialist. A chiropractor can manipulate your spine and provide the relief you need without the same risks to your discs and joints. You don’t need an audience to get the comfort you need -- and you’ll still have the side benefit of the popping sound you like to hear.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.