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Gregg C. Anderson, D.C.
Is it ok to “crack” and pop my back and neck myself?
This one is easy. The answer is no and will always be no. The reason is simple; I can’t bill you for that! Just kidding, actually, the real reason is that the desire to “crack” your neck or back is caused by tension from fixated or jammed-up vertebra. This is called subluxation. This often causes other neighboring parts of the spine to compensate by moving too much. These are usually the parts that typically pop or crack on their own. For correction, the fixated part should be specifically adjusted by a chiropractor so the remainder of the spinal column will rebalance.
So when I pop my neck, I’m not adjusting myself?
The popping and cracking will give you some temporary relief because of some nifty reflexes that occur to relax tight muscles and from the initial bombardment of sensory stimuli to your brain. However, the urge to pop or crack will usually reappear within as little as 20 minutes because the cause of the spinal tension has not been corrected.
What causes the popping sounds from an adjustment?
While not all chiropractic techniques produce popping sounds with the adjustment, most do produce the sound associated with “knuckle popping.” When joints are subluxated, they are essentially under pressure. There is gas that is dissolved in the synovial fluid that fills the joints and lubricates them. It is much like the carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved in the fluid in a closed soda can. When the pressure is released, the gas “pops” out of the fluid and makes the distinct sound, just like opening the lid of a soda can.
Can I tell if my spine has a subluxation without going to the chiropractor?
Yes and sometimes no! Sometime it is clearly obvious. Most of my patients get much more “in tune” with how things feel when they are subluxated. However, subluxations are often much like dental cavities. They may be present for a long time before symptoms appear. That is why periodic check-ups are important. Too often, subluxations are not detected and corrected soon enough. When this happens, they may cause arthritis and nerve irritation.
Can a person with a broken back or neck go to a chiropractor?
The answer is yes, but only after the fracture heals. In fact, when bones heal, they may heal even stronger than they were before with what’s called a bone scar or callus. When there has been an injury to the spine that is severe enough to cause a fracture, chances are high that other parts of the spine were injured as well and could benefit from chiropractic care. Because spinal subluxations aren’t immediately life threatening, they are often overlooked in emergency medical settings, especially when a fracture is detected.
Do I need a referral from a medical doctor to see a chiropractor?
The answer is no. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed, “primary care” providers. Your health is your choice. Thankfully, many of the biases and misconceptions about chiropractic have fallen to the wayside and I enjoy many referrals from local medical providers. I also have a number of medical providers that appreciate my referrals as well. I should note that certain third party payors or insurance companies such as in workers compensation claims do require a prescription from the primary treating doctor for any additional services.
How often should I get a spinal adjustment?
The best answer is, “as soon as you become subluxated.” Dr. Suh at the University of Colorado describes adjustments as mini-exercises for the spine. In practice, I have found that with regular adjustments or “mini-exercises” to the spine, we can help you strengthen and maintain good spinal function. I personally get adjusted at least once a week, and enjoy great range of motion and health.
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