So, you want to know, “Is it ok to crack my back or neck myself?”

Crack Your Back

Is it ok to crack your back or neck yourself? Generally speaking, yes, but also, NO! While the temporary relief may feel good, you should see a professional to ensure you aren’t doing more harm than good. Here’s why:

What happens when you crack your back or neck? 

The “popping” sound you hear when you crack your back or other joints in your body is the air being released by bursting bubbles that build up around joints. Ultimately, you are releasing pressure that is being placed on the joints. 

Is it safe to crack your back?

Yes, if done seldomly and carefully, you are ok to crack your own back on occasion. You should see a professional for anything more than that, especially when dealing with neck issues. While you may enjoy the relief you feel when you twist to crack your back or neck, you could be worsening an underlying issue. Chiropractors are doctors trained in spinal health. X-rays will show the exact cause of the stress on your spine that is causing pain. Your chiropractor will then perform specific spinal adjustments meant to return your spine to proper alignment. Cracking your back yourself may disrupt proper alignment, causing more significant problems later.

When you crack your back, you are also stretching ligaments. If you do this continuously, you can cause joint stability issues, like slipped discs. Chiropractors are trained to effectively fix misalignments in the spine without causing other problems. While a twist every now and then is ok, you should never let someone walk on or pound your back, as this can lead to serious injury.

Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor

While you do hear the familiar “popping” sound associated with cracking your back, corrective chiropractic goes far beyond “back cracking.” Chiropractic is a complete system of healthcare focused on restoring, preserving, and optimizing health by correcting abnormal spinal alignment. Seeing a chiropractor has many benefits, including: 

We hope this has helped answer the question of whether you should crack your back or neck yourself. If ever in doubt, or especially if you are feeling any pain when trying to work out a kink, you should always make an appointment with your local chiropractor.

 

Chiropractors in Lake Mary, Florida

Leave it to our professionals! At Lake Mary Chiropractic Center, our chiropractors are passionate about optimizing our patient’s quality of life. We focus on corrective chiropractic to help you find relief. Our office serves Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford, and other areas around Central Florida. We are currently offering a new patient special and would love to introduce you to the many amazing benefits of chiropractic care.