Truth about Cracking/Popping Your Back

Before you start worrying whether cracking your back is harmful or not, you need to understand the function and nature of the joints in your body. Many people are very much concerned about the popping or clicking sound they hear when a Taylorsville chiropractor performs a spinal adjustment. To get a clearer picture of what is going on when the joint cracks, clicks or pops, here are some interesting facts you need to know.

Taylorsville Chiropractor's Facts about Bones and Joints

The human body is composed of bones and muscles. Joints connect all bones in the body, and at the same time, dictate movements. Synovial or diarthrodial joints are considered as the only movable joints in the body. This is due to the synovial cavity that divides them from each other.

According to a research conducted by Ergonomics Research Laboratory at Michigan State University, diarthrodial joints are the usual joints that people typically crack or pop. Below is a short list of the anatomical features of diarthrodial joints.

• It is composed of two bones.
• These two bones come into contact via cartilage surfaces.
• These cartilages are surrounded by a joint capsule.
• The capsule contains the synovial fluid.
• This fluid serves as a lubricant for smooth bone movements.
• Nitrogen, gas, and carbon dioxide are present in synovial fluid.

Popping Sound: Should You Be Alarmed?

When force is applied directly to the joints, the gas in the synovial fluid is released causing the popping sound. The general misconception is that the popping sound comes from the bones. Many people feel anxious about visiting a chiropractor because of this false assumption. What really happens is that the act of popping your back simply stretches the joint capsules that contain the synovial fluid. When gas escapes from the fluid, there is also an increased mobility in your joints.

Dealing with Back Problems

If you have difficulty lifting heavy objects, or you cannot sit or stand still for a long period of time, it might be an indication of a spinal injury. Most of the time, people tend to fix this problem by simply cracking or popping their back. However, this is not totally safe. You may be causing more harm than good. For recurring back pains, you should consider seeking chiropractic care.

Chiropractic: Is It Safe and Effective?

Daniel David Palmer defines chiropractic as a “science of healing without drugs.” The British Chiropractic Association also recognizes chiropractic as “A profession which specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and overall management of conditions, which are due to mechanical dysfunctions of the joints, particularly those of the spine, and their effects on the nervous system.”

A chiropractor can effectively diagnose and treat your back problems. After an initial assessment, you will be provided with a treatment program that is suitable to your spinal problem. This treatment plan takes into account your spine condition and health goals. A series of chiropractic adjustments takes place after the evaluation to ensure that your spine will resume its normal functions.  

On the whole, combined with proper diet and exercise, chiropractic care is proven to be an effective and safe solution to all kinds of back problems. 

Dan Berlin is the owner of Berlin Chiropractic. He and his staff work tirelessly to ensure that all of his patients receive top-notch care that will help them experience a higher quality of life. For more information and the areas we currently service, please visit http://berlinchiropractic.com/custom_content/c_333275_service_areas.html