It is generally best to leave back cracking to the chiropractors because attempting to do so on your own or with the help of an untrained person can lead to serious injury. Chiropractors are trained professionals who have years of experience in manipulating the spine to alleviate pain and improve mobility. They use specific techniques to apply controlled force to the joints in the spine to relieve pressure, increase range of motion, and improve function. Attempting to crack your back on your own or with the help of someone who is not properly trained and qualified can result in injury to the spine, nerves, muscles, or other structures, which can lead to long-term damage and chronic pain.
There are some potential benefits of getting your back cracked, but it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone may experience these benefits, and there can be risks associated with spinal manipulation. Here are some of the possible benefits:
It’s important to keep in mind that spinal manipulation, including back cracking, can also have risks, such as nerve damage, fractures, and worsening of existing conditions. Therefore, it’s always best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before undergoing any type of spinal manipulation.
Yes, a good chiropractic assessment will reveal whether or not you have sustained any injuries that may require treatment. Whiplash is typically the result of a sudden jerking motion of the head, most commonly from car accidents or falls. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper neck mobility after an accident and give your neck time to heal during the healing process. Whiplash affects muscles, ligaments, joints & bones; therefore, it is important to seek immediate medical attention after an accident.
Yes. Sciatica pain is often caused by misalignment of the spine, which puts pressure on the nerves in your lower back or buttocks. A chiropractor can adjust subluxations (misaligned vertebra) that are believed to cause nerve interference. This adjustment takes the pressure off the sciatic nerve, allowing for better blood flow promoting healing within your body. With sciatica, many people experience pain in the sciatic nerve, which pierces through the piriformis. When the piriformis is tight, it squeezes on the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica. One approach involves reducing the tension in the piriformis, which will help release the tension on the sciatic nerve. Another is also treating the blowback as one unit with the sciatic nerve to decrease the Sciatic nerve’s inflammation.
There is no concrete answer as to how often you should see a chiropractor. Typically, someone suffering from low back pain would come into their chiropractor on a weekly basis for a few weeks up to a few months. It depends on the patient, but an average person in good health should see a chiropractor once or twice every month for regular maintenance. If you are experiencing a reoccurring issue or have recently been involved in an accident or a fall, your needs may be more advanced and require more frequent treatment.
A chiropractor is a health care professional who diagnoses and treats disorders of the neuromuscular system. Chiropractic services focus on the musculoskeletal system: back pain, neck pain, joint pain in your arms or legs, and headaches. Using spinal manipulation as their primary choice of treatment, chiropractors treat patients with manual adjustments and manipulations to joints and muscles.
Yes! Physical therapy focuses on performance and function, while chiropractic focuses on treating injuries and pain without drugs or surgery. A physical therapist will design a workout or training plan targeting specific muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc., whereas a chiropractor will manually treat those areas to improve their function.
Yes, chiropractic treatments can help with spinal stenosis. A chiropractor won’t be able to cure the condition, but they may be able to relieve some of the pressure on your nerves. Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs when the spinal canal begins to narrow, which puts pressure on the nerves running through the spine. For example, if two of your vertebra are pressing on one nerve, you may experience pain or numbness in your arms or legs. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce this type of pain by freeing up space for the nerves and allowing better blood flow, promoting healing within your body. A good chiropractor will also provide you with exercises that can help manage the symptoms of spinal stenosis.
The crack or pop that you hear is the formation of gas within the joints. That crack is not indicative of a successful adjustment. The actual adjustment comes from putting the force through the joint, the high velocity, low amplitude, adjustment, or force to the joint space. One issue some chiropractors have is “chasing the pop,” where they seek out the sound instead of going based on their physiological assessment.
Any age can benefit from chiropractic care. Babies, toddlers, and newborns can receive treatment for conditions. Babies can experience torticollis or a spasm in the sternocleidomastoid muscle that mothers notice during breastfeeding when a child can’t turn their neck. Children, adults, and seniors can benefit from chiropractic care.
It varies from person to person. On average, visiting a chiro over 4-6 weeks should be sufficient depending on the condition, of course. After your initial appointment, you’ll need specific treatments based on the source of the pain through spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and exercise therapy. Depending on your root issue, some people can feel better after a single treatment, while other more complicated issues (like disc herniation) can take six months up to a year to treat.
Chiropractic care is an excellent way to keep up with your wellness during pregnancy. Chiropractic care can help your body during this time of change and allow you to feel the best you possibly can. Throughout pregnancy, women’s hips undergo changes to their regular dynamic. A chiropractor can help reduce the amount of pain experienced in the hips as well as the lower back and surrounding areas. You can visit a chiropractor before, during, and after pregnancy to help you get back to your normal lifestyle as fast as possible. Chiropractic care also helps with conditions such as: Headaches/Migraines, Sciatica, Nausea, Scoliosis, Constipation, Back Aches, Swelling, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Pelvic Instability, Leg Cramps, Tired Feet, Balance Disturbance, Etc.