We all know the sound.  Some love it and some think that their spine is being rearranged in an unnatural way.  But what most people wonder is whether or not this is actually making a difference.  Do those pops mean anything, or are they just expensive noises?  As your Billings Chiropractor, let’s dispel some myths and we’ll talk about what’s actually happening here.  Because the sound isn’t the treatment, the controlled movement is.

What Actually Happens when Your Back Cracks

You’ve probably cracked your knuckles.  Maybe you intended to, maybe it just happened during normal movement.  What’s going on here is you’re releasing some of the trapped gas inside those joints.  The same thing is happening when your back pops during an adjustment; the rapid change in the joint creates a gas cavity and there’s a pop.

That noise does not come from bones grinding together or being harshly shoved back into place.  In fact, you have a successful adjustment without hearing a noise.  The crack is a byproduct, not the goal.

Are The Adjustments Helping?

Depending on your condition, the adjustments are going to provide a few different results.  Most people have aching backs.  We sit too long, we twist too hard, we lift too heavy, or sometimes you’re just getting old.  Chiropractic adjustments can provide modest improvements in pain and function – we’re not going to claim it’s a cure-all here because sometimes the improvements are small, and sometimes the adjustments don’t provide any relief.

Your back adjustments aren’t really about pushing the vertebrae back into alignment.  If it was that easy, you could just have someone push on your back, make a cracking noise, and you’d be all set.  No, in reality, your nervous system and musculoskeletal system are much more complicated than that.  To get the maximum benefit, we have to know just how your body is working.

An adjustment isn’t a miracle cure, it’s part of an overall health plan that can also include physical therapy, exercise, diet, and more.

Should I Crack My Own Back?

If you lean back in your chair, you’ll probably hear a bit of cracking.  Most of the time, you’re not going to hurt yourself doing this, but you probably won’t find the relief you would if you came to get regular adjustments.  You can relieve stiffness or tension, but that’s about it.

A chiropractor in Billings evaluates your symptoms, and then applies targeted adjustments.  There are assessments that start your appointments, and then there’s an individualized treatment plan specifically for your body, your pain, and your lifestyle.

If you find that you are constantly trying to crack your own back because the discomfort just keeps coming back, it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Shayne Durbin to see just what’s going on inside you.

Dr. Durbin Wants You to Have Less Pain

Our goal here is to help you live a life with the least amount of pain possible.  That means we don’t want to under treat you, because your pain will sneak back in.  But it also means we don’t want to over treat you, because that’s just a waste of time and money.

So, we’ll figure out where the pain is, find out why it’s there, and then we’ll target just what needs to be done.  We won’t just throw you on the table, crack your back, pop your neck, adjust your ankles, and send you on your way if that’s not what you need.

Your back doesn’t need to sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies to feel better.  But that snap, crackle, and pop sure is satisfying, isn’t it?  If pain, stiffness, or discomfort are interfering with your day, schedule an appointment by calling 406-545-2128.  Or, send us a message through our contact form and request a time so we can get you on the schedule.