Is It Bad to Crack your Back in Chicago?
You may like to snap or crunch your back. It is an act that feels good and brings a certain sense of satisfaction. Especially when we have been working sitting at a desk all day. We know how satisfying it is to turn your back and arch your spine to make it sound, but is it dangerous?
Here’s what happens when you crack your back (don’t worry, you’re not actually breaking anything), why it’s so pleasurable, and what the potential risks are. It’s generally safe to crunch. However, it’s important to address the underlying issues that will make you want to quit.
What happens when cracking your back in Chicago?
The spine provides essential support to the rest of the body, keeping it upright and allowing it to move fluidly. It also protects the spinal cord, a column of nerves that sends messages between the brain and the body.
The spinal cord is surrounded by 24 vertebrae, and between each one is a disc, a soft cushion that absorbs shock and prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. Ligaments connect the vertebrae, and tendons attach muscles to the vertebrae.
Now, inside each joint is a thick fluid called synovial fluid, which provides nutrients to the joints and lubricates them so they glide smoothly. Science, so far, has discovered that knuckle cracking causes joints to separate and create air pockets within the synovial fluid. These airbags are what make a popping noise.
However, the sound can also come from the tendons and ligaments rubbing against the joints when you stretch. Even arthritic joints can creak due to a lack of cartilage.
On the other hand, your back can pop or crack on its own when stretched or moved in certain ways. This could be due to ligament or cartilage damage, deterioration of the synovial capsule, or osteoarthritis. If this happens after an injury, it could be the result of joint dysfunction from a fracture or torn ligament, especially if accompanied by pain.
Is it bad to do crack your back every day in Chicago?
Crunching your back more than once a day may not be the healthiest option over a long-term period. Symptoms of a back condition that requires treatment include pain or discomfort before and after manipulating the spine. Instead of continuing to twist your back too often, engage in stretches and gentle exercises that help improve strength, flexibility, and posture.
If you feel the need to crunch it due to some kind of discomfort in your spine, it is best to consult a professional so that they can treat you and identify the underlying causes. Cracking healthy joints too often can cause irritation and make you feel like you need to keep cracking your back repeatedly.
Making this habit common could be a sign of an underlying cause that may need treatment. It is true that it can bring temporary relief, but you need to find out the underlying cause and how you can treat it.
Go to a professional to crack your back in Chicago
If you notice persistent back or neck tension, seek professional help. Physical pain therapy should be a first-line treatment for chronic back pain. Look for a doctor of chiropractic or physical therapist who has training in physical therapy.
He or she can create a custom stretching and strengthening plan that is tailored to your individual problems and anatomy. It is important that you do not opt for a chiropractor, since a bad manipulation could dust your back.
