WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS WHEN A CHIROPRACTOR ‘CRACKS YOUR BACK’?
WHAT’S THAT NOISE? AND WHY DOES IT FEEL SO GOOD?
Many people have experienced that loud CRACK! when turning their head and probably cringed at the sound. The idea of a chiropractor deliberately making that noise can be unsettling, especially when it involves trusting someone with your spine.
If you felt apprehensive before your first visit to Epoch Health, you're not alone. However, the immediate relief from a chiropractic adjustment often outweighs any initial nerves.
So, what’s behind that noise? What causes it, and why do you feel better afterward?
WHAT DOES A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT DO?
To understand the process, it’s essential to grasp what’s being corrected. Chiropractors target subluxation complexes. While some describe a subluxation as a misaligned bone, it’s more accurately defined as a joint that isn’t moving as it should. Essentially, a subluxated joint has lost its full range of motion and is 'stuck.'
The joints between your spinal vertebrae are synovial joints, meaning they’re encased in a soft capsule filled with a lubricant called synovial fluid.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT?
Joint capsules are highly sensitive. When a joint isn’t functioning properly, nerve endings in the capsule send signals to your central nervous system, which then instructs the surrounding muscles to tighten and protect the area. This muscle spasm contributes to feelings of tightness and stiffness, making stretching only a temporary relief.
A chiropractor restores proper movement to the affected joint with an adjustment. You might feel movement and hear a pop as the joint opens up. Once normal motion is restored, nerves signal the muscles to relax, which is why you often feel looser and more comfortable after an adjustment.
UNDERSTANDING THE 'CRACK'
A chiropractic adjustment isn’t about "cracking bones." It’s about opening the joint, a process referred to as 'gapping' the joint—similar to separating two pieces of velcro that are stuck together. When a facet joint is gapped, the negative pressure causes nitrogen gas dissolved in the synovial fluid to momentarily come out of solution, creating the popping sound known as cavitation.
MORE THAN JUST RANGE OF MOTION
While restoring the full range of motion is a primary goal, adjustments offer additional benefits:
Reduced Pain Perception: An adjustment can lower the central nervous system's sensitivity, helping to manage pain more effectively.
Increased Synovial Fluid Production: Adjustments stimulate the production of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint.
Normalized Muscle Tone: Adjustments help reset muscle activity to its optimal state.
Enhanced Proprioception: Adjustments improve the function of proprioceptive sensors in the spine, leading to better balance and coordination.
Improved Muscle Strength: Research shows increased muscle contraction strength following adjustments.
Endorphin Release: Adjustments release endorphins, which are natural pain relievers and contribute to the pleasant feeling you experience afterward.
GET ADJUSTED!
Why wait until you’re in pain to see a chiropractor? Pain is often a late indicator of joint dysfunction, with problems usually advancing significantly before you feel discomfort.
Just as you see vision and dental specialists for checkups, regular visits to your chiropractor are crucial. At Epoch Health, we prioritise identifying and addressing joint issues before they escalate. Ready to book an appointment? Call us at 1300 887 513 or schedule online.