Is It Safe When Your Joint Cracks? Understanding Chiropractic Cavitations

Have you ever been standing on the first tee at the golf course, going through some twists and turns to get your body warmed up, when you hear endless clicks and clunks? Most of us refer to these clicks and clunks as “cracking”. For some, this “cracking sound” may bring on a moment of relief, or an instant feeling of lightness. While for others it brings on apprehension, worry, and uneasiness- as in, can it really be good that my body sounds like a real- life glow stick every time I bend over?

Do you feel any clicks/ cracks when you get ready?

Now what if I told you that when you hear those cracking sounds, what you’re really hearing is gas? Sounds a little strange right. But much like a can of Pepsi being cracked open, when the little metal tab gets popped inwards it causes a massive change of pressure, and as a result we hear the telltale sign of a can being open, and often a little fizzy trail of sticky liquid is seen around the rim. When a body changes positions, such as twisting, or an all-time classic example of “my knees crack everytime I bend down to read a putt”, the same process that occurs in the Pepsi can is happening in the body, just with a lot less sugar and fizz. 

Throughout this blog post I will be breaking down exactly what that cracking sound is, the physiological effects it has on the body, and why it is a unique skill that chiropractors use during everyday treatment. 

Is it safe when your joint cracks: 

“My chiropractor cracks me”. Chances are, if you have seen a chiropractor, or know someone who has seen a chiropractor, then you are probably familiar with this statement, but what does that really mean and is it good or bad? In the medical community, “cracking” is called a cavitation which occurs from an adjustment. Adjustments occur during spinal manipulation therapy- but no, your spine is not being adjusted back into place. 

Spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) is a technique that is used to describe a process in which a practitioner, uses their hands or a tool, to put a high velocity low amplitude force into a joint space. Translation- a very quick, but gentle and controlled force is targeted directly at a joint space. The joint spaces are usually in the spine, but can also be in the limbs.

A joint is simply the space that exists between two bones. There are roughly 360 joints within the human body and the function of joints is to allow movement. There are many different types of joints in the body as different joints have different purposes. Some joints, like your shoulder, do a lot of movement, while other joints, such as those found in your skull, have almost no movement. Joints that do a lot of movement are usually called synovial joints. Synovial joints are unique because they contain a fluid (synovium) that acts as a lubricant - think of putting oil in a door hinge to allow smooth movement. The fluid is essential as it allows you to bend down to read a putt in a relatively pain free manor. 

Mobilizing & Adjusting Thoracic Spine

Understanding the Purpose of Joint Manipulation in Chiropractic Care:

At this point, your next logical question may be, why? What purpose does a force going through a joint serve? A simple adjustment can cause a large cascade of different physiological events in the body to occur. However, there are four main benefits that occur from SMT.

1. SMT and pain:  one of the main benefits of SMT is that it helps to reduce pain and it does this in two different ways. Located within the body are millions of receptors called mechanoreceptors. Mechanoreceptors are located within the skin, internal organs, and muscles. The whole purpose of mechanoreceptors is to take mechanical energy such as physical touch, pressure, and vibration, and then turn it into electrical energy which gets sent to the brain. During an adjustment the physical pressure and force stimulates these receptors. The stimulation of these receptors can help to reduce the body's perception of pain. Furthermore, SMT stimulates the release of endogenous opioids (natural pain killers within the body) which contributes to the relief of pain.

2. Improves joint movement: overworked muscles become tight and pull on joints which can cause the joints to become stiff and “stuck”. Stuck joints are those that do not move. The lack of normal movement not only causes pain and tenderness, but also reduces motion, which puts stress on surrounding tissue. Putting a force through a stuck joint helps the joint to regain normal movement which increases range of motion and alleviates stress on surrounding tissue 

3. Reduces muscle tension: mechanoreceptors located within the muscle respond well to mechanical stimulus and cause the muscles to relax. Relaxed muscles put less stress on the joints and surrounding tissue. 

4. Boosting overall well-being: adjustments often release endorphins which make people feel happy. Many people report feeling more relaxed and energized after receiving an adjustment.  

Understanding the Popping Sound 

You have probably heard the myth that if you crack your knuckles then you are going to get arthritis when you’re older. This is one of those sayings that falls under the category of “old wise tales”. There is no correlation between the audible pop and developing arthritis. Rather, when a force is placed through a joint it causes changes in pressure of the fluid (synovium) within the joint. That change in pressure causes a gas (nitrogen) within the joint to be released and this creates the popping sound. The medical term for the popping sound is cavitation. The cavitation is simply a byproduct of a force going through a joint. While the sound may un-nerve some people, it is completely safe and is most definitely not bone cracking. Some adjustments will produce cavitations while others will not. There is no rhyme or reason for this, it's simply just differences amongst human bodies.  

Conclusion: 

Spinal manipulation therapy is a technique in which a targeted and controlled force is put through a joint space to allow more movement of that joint. When joints are not moving well, they become restricted. Restrictions translate into areas that are typically tender to touch and go hand in hand with general stiffness. The purpose of performing an adjustment is to increase movement within the joint. When movement is increased a cascade of events happen such as muscle relaxation, endorphin release, and a reduction in pain. For many people the sound of an adjustment is unnerving or bothersome. However, the sound is simply gas bubbles in the synovial fluid popping due to changes in pressure. The audible popping sound is not the end goal of an adjustment, but rather it is a by-product that may or may not occur. Having adjustments performed regularly does not increase your risk of osteoarthritis. For many people regular adjustments help to alleviate stiffness, keep their joints moving well, and reduce overall pain. After receiving an adjustment, it is common to experience lightness and to feel very relaxed. 

Curious if spinal manipulation therapy is right for you?

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