3 Things To Know About Back Cracking

The good news is that this is not
dangerous. Back cracking is very common. However what produces that noise and
feeling of relief? Experts have different opinions about this process.

The most common theory comes down
to pockets of gas that accumulate in the joints. This is not the same gas that
occurs when you’ve eaten a ton of beans or protein bars. This gas comes from a
synovial fluid, which provides the cartilage with essential nutrients and helps
them move smoothly. The main function of cartilage is to make sure that
whenever you are moving your limbs, the movement is smooth. Therefore, it plays
a big role in back cracking.

This gas is shown on X-rays and
MRIs. However, according to a 2015 study, the cracking occurs when a gas-filled
cavity forms when the joints stretch, not when the gas bubbles themselves
collapse.

There are also some less widely
believed theories that are not linked to these gases. For instance, cracking is
when your ligaments and tendons shift after you apply force to your body, or
cracking occurs since you don’t have much cartilage in the place that you
cracked.

So, what should you know about
back cracking, and in which cases it’s not normal? Let’s take a look at three
things that will help you understand back cracking.

1. Back Cracking
Is Usually Safe

As mentioned above, back cracking
is usually safe and doesn’t bring any harm. It doesn’t matter why this occurs
until it starts to hurt. Back pain during cracking can occur due to the aging
process.

As you get older and the cartilage
wears out, cracking your back can become painful. If you are experiencing back
or neck pain, which is not getting better, this could be a sign that you need
to take a break from cracking your back and visit a doctor.

2. Cracking
Your Own Back Is Harmless, But It Could Be Dangerous When Someone Else Does It
For You.

It’s actually hard for you to
hurt yourself when you crack your back because you will instinctively want to
protect yourself from harm. However, when someone else does it for you, they
can put more force than needed or move your body in a more extreme direction
than required.

Therefore, it’s important to find
a qualified and licensed chiropractor, physical therapist, or osteopath. Many
experts use it as one of the options of chronic back pain
treatment. Remember that an unqualified therapist or chiropractor can cause
back injury and even provoke stroke.

If you already have a therapist
manipulating your back and you don’t hear a crack, it doesn’t mean your
treatment is not effective. So, if you feel good when you crack your back, you
can keep doing it but don’t let your friend or another person crack your back,
twist your neck, or do anything else to make your back or neck crack as it can
be dangerous.

3. So,
Why Do You Feel Good After Cracking Your Back?

Experts also have several
theories about this statement. We often build up stress and tightness in the
muscles that surround the spine, especially when we’ve been sitting at a
computer all day.

Even when you do exercises for
your neck or back, it feels awesome to stretch the muscles, and it can be
equally as satisfying as when you crack your back.

Another assumption lies in the
fact that your spinal
cord is also surrounded by sensory ganglia (groups of cells that send your
brain information about things such as pain and joint position). When you crack
your back, your brain might interpret your back as a relief.