Self joint cracking vs professional chiropractic adjustment

Self joint cracking vs professional chiropractic adjustment

As a chiropractor, one of the most common things I hear from patients is, “I can crack my own back, so why do I need to see a chiropractor?” While it’s understandable to want quick relief from stiffness or discomfort, there’s a significant difference between self-joint cracking your spine and receiving a professional chiropractic adjustment.

Understanding the Basics: What’s Happening When You “Crack” Your Joints?

When you stretch the spinal joints beyond their normal physiological range of motion you may hear that familiar popping or cracking sound, what you’re actually hearing is the release of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid that lubricates your joints. This release is called cavitation, and while it can provide temporary relief, it doesn’t necessarily address the root cause of your discomfort.

The reason for this is simple: The joints that are being stretched and cracking are often the joints that are freely moveable and the joint/disc or nerve that is irritated is not. When we do this on ourselves, the area that truly needs the movement and stimulation rarely gets it. Patients will often say something along the lines of: ” I cracked it myself and that felt better for 10-20minutes before the pain started to come back again”, this is often then followed by “So I tried to crack it more myself and this just continued to cause pain and irritation before I finally reached for the pain killers” < Sound familiar? I’m sure this will ring true for many readers.

The Risks of Self-Manipulation

1. Lack of Precision: When you crack your own joints, you’re doing so without the knowledge of which specific joints or vertebrae need adjusting. This can lead to over-manipulation of certain areas while others remain inflamed, stiff and painful. Over time, this can cause joint instability and contribute to more significant issues down the line.
2. Increased Risk of Injury: Your spine is both a remarkably resilient and yet at times delicate structure housing your spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels. Without proper technique and understanding of anatomy, you could inadvertently cause damage. This can include strains, sprains, or in more severe cases, damage to blood vessels, spinal discs or nerves which can lead to serious health concerns.
3. Temporary Relief, Long-Term Problems: The relief you feel after cracking your spine is usually short-lived because it’s not addressing the underlying cause of the stiffness or discomfort. Regularly self-manipulating can create a cycle of dependency, where you feel the need to crack your neck more frequently without actually resolving the issue.

The Benefits of a Professional Chiropractic Adjustment

1. Expertise and Precision: Chiropractors are trained to identify specific areas of concern in the spine and make precise adjustments to correct these issues. These adjustments are tailored to your individual needs, ensuring that the right areas are addressed without over-manipulating any part of the spine. This is combined with a thorough medical history and testing to ensure the safety of each patient.
2. The Speed of Delivery: This point is crucial, when we adjust a patient or manipulate their joints, we can do so with lightning speed and this is helpful to ensure the patient does not have time to fight or resist the desired movement and decreases the risk of tissue damage. When patients try to do this on themselves the movement is slow and the tissue guards the joints and actively resists the movement trying to be achieved.
3. Addressing the Root Cause: A chiropractic adjustment is not just about making a joint pop; it’s about restoring proper motion and function to the spine. This can relieve nerve pressure, improve mobility, and promote overall spinal health, leading to longer-lasting relief.
4. Comprehensive Care: When you visit a chiropractor, you’re not just receiving an adjustment. You’re also getting a holistic approach to your health. Chiropractors can offer advice on posture, exercises, and lifestyle changes to help you maintain proper spinal health and prevent future issues.

Conclusion: Why Choose Chiropractic Care?

While it might be tempting to crack your own spine for immediate relief, it’s important to understand the potential risks involved. Chiropractic care offers a safe, effective, and long-term solution to back pain and discomfort. By trusting a professional to make precise adjustments, you’re not only alleviating your symptoms but also addressing the root cause of your issues, leading to better overall health and well-being.

If you’re experiencing neck pain or discomfort, I encourage you to seek the help of a licensed chiropractor. Your spine—and your overall health—deserves the best care possible.

Still not convinced? Do you have any other questions?

Please reach out here.

For online booking please visit us here: https://www.shannonavechiro.com.au/book-an-appointment

Yours in health

Dr Matthew Gooch (Chiropractor)