What is a crack or a pop?
As chiropractors, we are often asked this question. We are apparently infamous for cracking backs and necks.
Stuart Bennett, chiropractor, explains – What is a crack or a pop? Because quite simply,
We don’t crack bones,
We do adjust joints
The joints we adjust are usually synovial (two or more with a joint capsule), which basically contain fluid. This fluid helps to protect your joints, acting as a shock absorber.
This fluid absorbs gases from the body (mostly CO2 and Nitrogen), and when we adjust a joint, we stretch that joint capsule and a small amount of the gas is released, making a ‘popping’ sound (just like opening a bottle of pop).
Sometimes this popping sound is loud, sometimes quiet and sometimes no sound is made at all.
So here is the secret
- The crack has nothing to do with what we as chiropractors do.
- We adjust to increase mobility, stimulate the neurology and realign the spine.
