How does popping your back help

If the following occurs with facet joint cracking, medical attention may be warranted:. If any of the above symptoms, or other concerning symptoms, are present it is advisable to consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment.

There is little consensus regarding the long-term implications of habitual joint cracking. It is thought that when a joint is repeatedly cracked, it is consistently pulled out of its natural position, which may cause the ligaments around the joint to loosen over time. Currently there is no known correlation with joint cracking and degenerative changes. Causes of Neck Cracking and Grinding Sounds.

Facet Joint Disorders and Back Pain. Chiropractic Treatments for Lower Back Pain. You are here Conditions Lower Back Pain. By Jahnna Levy, DO. Peer Reviewed. Real-time visualization of joint cavitation. When medication doesn't work, however, your doctor might determine an injury or musculoskeletal disorder is the main culprit. A licensed chiropractor or physical therapist can help address any chronic back pain you're experiencing. If you feel good after cracking your back, you're fine to continue relieving the pressure on your own.

However, it's important to make sure not to have someone twist your beck or walk on your back. This can cause bigger problems in the future.

Tampa, FL Brandon, FL Westchase, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor. Lake Magdalene, Carrollwood, North Tampa. Chiropractor to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Essential Integrative Medicine. CALL: Snap, Crack, Pop! Before we talk about what happens when you crack your back, let's dive into the anatomy of the spine. First of all, the spine is broken down into three major components. The spinal cord is the long bundle of nerves connecting the brain to nerves throughout your entire body.

Then there are the meninges, which are membranes around the spinal cord and brain. The meninges absorb any impact that occurs to your spine. They also contain fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. Finally, there's the spinal or vertebral column. The spinal column is made up of stacked pieces of bone called vertebrae. Your vertebrae work independently, allowing your back to bend and provide flexibility. Doctors have a few different theories about what happens when you crack your back.

Some believe adjusting a joint releases synovial fluid. When the fluid becomes gaseous, it creates the snapping, popping sound. Adjusting your back can stretch your facet joints, which are capsules at the outer edges of your vertebrae. When you stretch these capsules, the synovial fluid has more space to move. Even if you can pop your own back, let us help you pinpoint the cause of your discomfort and implement a treatment plan to eliminate your pain.

Call us at or schedule an appointment on our website. We want to help you live your best, most pain free life. Skip to content Back tension is common in people who sit or stand for several consecutive hours. What Does the Cracking Sound Mean? How to Crack Your Back While it may be best for a licensed professional to crack your back, you may prefer to crack your own back. Sit in a chair with a medium-height backrest. Your shoulder blades should be able to fit over the top of it. With a towel over the back rest to provide extra padding, put your hands behind your head.

Slowly lower your head towards the floor. You can adjust your position in the chair if you feel tension in a different area of your back.

While either standing up or sitting without a backrest, put your hands together behind your back. Clench one hand into a fist and wrap your other hand around it. Push up at an angle and allow your back to bend as you push. Foam roller: Start by sitting on the floor with a foam roller positioned behind you. With bent knees, slowly lean back so that the tense section of your back is resting on the foam roller. Keeping your hands behind your head, slowly lower your head.

This should crack your upper back. Exercise ball: Start this exercise by sitting on an exercise ball. Walk your feet out until the tense portion of your back is on top of the ball.

Staying on top of the ball, move your body back and forth. You can use your hands to push your head up or lower it closer to the floor. While sitting on the floor keep your left leg straight in front of you while you cross your right leg so that your right foot is near your left hip. Press your left elbow to the outside of your right knee and look directly behind you.

Hold for several seconds. Repeat several times on each side. Sit on the floor with your legs underneath you. Then, take a breath in and slowly extend your arms and hands in front of you, resting them on the floor. You can also bring your arms behind you, resting next to your legs. Breathe deeply and hold the stretch for as long as is comfortable.