Should You Crack Your Own Back?
By Sara Butler
Many patients who see the chiropractors at The Joint experience a cracking sound or sensation during their chiropractic adjustments. This is totally normal! You may also notice as you move through your day that normal cracking and creaking can happen in your neck and back as well. Again, totally normal. What isn’t normal is trying to manipulate your joints yourself in a way that causes them to pop. Here’s why the chiropractors at The Joint want you to refrain from cracking your own back and neck!
Your Posture
Most people sit for a large portion of the day, most likely in a hunched or slumped posture at their desk. This type of posture puts a lot of strain on the muscles in the neck and spine due to the added weight of your head in a forward head posture. Many people think that cracking their neck or back themselves offers relief from the discomfort of their posture, but it’s actually something that may be doing more harm than good in the long run.
An Underlying Issue
If you feel the need to crack your neck or back frequently to help find relief, it’s often an indication that there is more going on under the surface than you are aware of. The poor posture talked about is often a reason, but so are joints suffering from a dysfunction or restriction.
The chiropractors at The Joint try to find any joint restrictions or dysfunctions and correct them the right way -- helping your body to maintain a neutral alignment. The relief from a chiropractic adjustment is one that will last for a while, but the relief you find in doing your own adjustment won’t last!
The Dangers
The danger of doing your own adjustment is great. You may be moving the wrong joint, may exert too much force, or force the joint to move the wrong way. This can result in stretching of ligaments and cause instability in the future, often making existing problems worse.
The Chiropractic Adjustment
Here’s something you may not know: Not even chiropractors adjust themselves. That’s because they know through extensive study and training about the anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology that go into an adjustment -- and they know that’s not something you can accomplish on your own. That’s why seeking out the expert care of a chiropractor is important for everyone -- chiropractors included!
If you have questions about your chiropractic adjustment, don't be afraid to ask the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.