There is something satisfying about hearing the sound of the spine "popping". As a chiropractic physician, I was taught how specifically we can get with our treatments to best help serve the needs of our patients. But without fail, every month at our Carol Stream clinic, new patients ask us why it feels SO good to get your back "cracked"?  In fact, there are social media accounts specifically showing real life spinal adjustments creating an audible "crack" followed shortly thereafter with a relaxing "ahh" feeling by the patient.

In our opinion, it is an important question which needs to be properly answered. 

What actually happens to create the audible noise starts within the spinal joints. In a physiological process known as "tribonucleation", which is when two opposing surfaces resist separation, specifically in this case the spinal joints but can apply to any  synovial joint in the body. This resistance of separation eventually reach a critical point whereby a force causes the joint surfaces to quickly and briefly separate.

When this separation takes place, the lubricant within the joint, called synovial fluid, immediately has an increase in space as well as the new addition of a tiny gas bubble. It is the creation of this small gas pocket within the joint that is responsible for the audible popping sound. Back in 2015, researchers were tasked with capturing this physiological phenomenon, which they successfully did with the help of an MRI scan. Check out the 6 second video of a finger below.   

So there is the physiological explanation as to the mechanism behind the audible noise, but what actually happens that makes getting your back "cracked" feel so good. 

A few weeks ago, when setting up to adjust a patient on his side to adjust his low back, my shoulder "popped" while pulling him into the final position BEFORE adjusting the patient. What happened next was interesting... 

The patient let out an audible, "Ahhh" with a lengthy and very relaxing exhale. 

But it was my shoulder that cavitated (or "popped"). 

Why would he experience a feeling when it wasn't his joint which "popped"?  

There is no doubt that the mind plays a part, and if one is expecting an audible pop then one will be more aware and alert when the sound of one is heard, regardless of where it came from.

If this audible release creates a wonderful pain-modifying effect, then should we all just be popped our neck and back all day? Probably not, as we are not advocates for reliance on one treatment as an end-all-be-all guide to eliminating pain. 

Usually, back cracking on your own is harmless. There is no evidence this "popping" causes arthritis. Expert doctors and therapists all agree: an ideal treatment approach is one that encompasses more active than passive. If your doctor or therapist is heavily reliant on massage, electric stimulation, heat/ice, kinesiotaping, and posture correction, that is a red flag. 

At our Carol Stream clinic, we utilize spinal adjustments regularly - when it is clinically indicated and within the guidelines for expert care. Every patient comes into our office looking to identify WHY they have back or neck pain, and our methods include stretching, flexibility, mobility, strengthening, and overall body awareness through individualized treatment and exercise routines. 

​In our opinion, treatment plans which rely on spinal adjustments, massages, vibration beds, and lasers are NOT addressing the underlying issue but rather masking the symptoms and provide short-term symptom modification. 

If you, or someone you know has been suffering with back pain, which prevents them from doing the activities they love then please forward this article over to them. Why? Because we believe that everyone in pain should have a chance at learning how to get back to the most fulfilling parts of their lives'. We'll help you get there. 

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While taking new patients medical history, we frequently hear a phrase in our Carol Stream clinic: "I've had a bad back ever since I slipped a disc." This is really an interesting way of communicating a complex system of the body. While providers typically don't always agree with how patients and society word or phrase their pain and discomfort, I believe a stance should be started on the topic. 

In short, my answer is: yes, disc material can slip. 

The spine does NOT slip in relation to itself (bar any extreme trauma such as a motor vehicle accident). For example, one patient of ours visually showed us, with his hands, a mechanism of action whereby he believed his spine "slipped into two pieces" when he lifted snow with a shovel and experienced his excruciating symptoms. While this mechanism makes ideological sense to patients who currently have low back pain, for example, it is important to note that the spine is not fragile, is quite robust and was design to move, bend, lift, and flex. 

One of the definitions of the word slip is "go or move quietly or quickly, without attracting notice". In this sense, we would argue that yes, disc material does slip. 

We have seen a plethora of research showing disc material, specifically the nucleus pulposus, migrate outside of the standard disc space. In fact, after small cracks in the annular fibers, which serve as the outer-most layer of disc material, and is quite tough. Compared to the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus is quite soft and it resonates the same substance as toothpaste. 

Since this progression of disc material outside of its original position, and WITHOUT notice of symptoms (especially pain), we would argue the usage of the word "slip" is accurate. The disc material slips through the annular fibers into the nearby joint space. The most shocking bit to patients is when we tell them that this does NOT always produce pain. The disc material must make contact with the nearby nerve root for the sensation of discomfort to be triggered. 

Each week at our office in Carol Stream, Illinois, we help men, women and adolescents overcome disc injuries. If you, or someone you know, are suffering with a slipped disc, like I described above, then please know we can help. Most of our patients come to us after going to see a physical therapist, or their primary care physician, only to be discouraged by a lack of progress or the recommendation of pain pills and muscle relaxers. We know, and our patients know, these are NOT effective long-term strategies for spine pain. 

Secondly, most of our patients come to us with a specific goal in mind. If you have a health or fitness related goal, and this spine pain is currently preventing you from doing your favorite activities, such as soccer, football, golf, CrossFit, running, etc, then I have good news for you - we are here specifically for you. 

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with you friends and family so they too can learn more about this all-to-common topic. 

Lastly, if you are currently suffering from spine pain and it is severe enough that it prevents you from being yourself and doing the activities you love, then please call our office TODAY to talk with our amazing AHR Team to see if you would be a good fit for our office. You can call us today at (630) 480-0113 

Kind regards,
Dr. Alex Earl, DC 

1. Do understand your pain is very real
Oftentimes, persistent pain involving the lower back is quite complex. This can be caused with or without the presence of tissue damage. Since our tissues might not incur any new damage, this can lead many people suffering with back pain to feel as if their pain isn't real. Persistent low back pain should be viewed through the same lens as other complex conditions such as diabetes, where many factors are constantly involved - not just one single influence. We now know factors including sleep, nutrition, hydration, stress (both emotional and social) all play a part in low back health in addition to physical activity and fitness.

Regardless of which factor "ticked off" your lower back, your pain is REAL. 

2. Do Remain Physically Active
One of the toughest bits of advice we give to our patients with acute low back pain, is to continue to stay active. It sounds contradictory to standard medical advice of "rest and recover" but bear with me for a minute. 

While there is no "hack" or "curative" exercise for low back pain, there are dozens of strategies to effective mitigate long-lasting pain. One of those strategies is to continue to simply move. How frequently, how intense, how long is entirely up to you, but know this: there is no amount of exercise that is too little. (Griffin, O'Sullivan)

"Small strokes fell great oaks" is a favorite quote around the office. We appreciate the little roots of effort which have yet to bear fruit. But much like a plant slowly grows and eventually bears much fruit, your movement should also be slow and progressive. Our job at AHR is to make sure you are placed in the right soil. 

3. Do Sit, Stand, and Slouch in Various Positions
We are not the posture police. Oftentimes, patients preemptively defend their posture and depict seated, driving and standing postures they believe we are going to tell them they "need" to be like. 

Controversial Statement #1: We believe that movement is dynamic and variable, and so is posture. 

We view posture to have many positions, including slouching, bending, and arching. Common healthcare and fitness warnings to avoid a specific movement of the spine are void of any evidence currently published. Additionally, this propagates fear of an otherwise normal, every day motion, such as bending forward to touch your toes. 

1. Don't Fight it - It is NOT a Sign of Weakness
Pain affects people of all ages, so it is important to note that you and I are not exempt and shouldn't attempt to fight it. This can create a "Vicious Cycle" in which a hyper-vigilant person attempts to fight the pain, which can lead to more regular "flare ups", which can yield less physical activity, low mood, sleep disruptions, frustrations, and more intense reliance on pain medications and over the counter. 

Rather than focusing on defeating pain, we (I say "we" because I need to hear this too!) should focus our energy and minds on what we CAN control. We can control our attitudes about our pain and our decisions around our life, such as to exercise or not to exercise. Once a decision as been made, reward yourself for taking steps in the right direction - regardless of whether they were successful or not. 

2. Don't Assume Persistent Pain is Due to Tissue Damage 
Pain is an effective protector. Therefore, if you've injured an area before, pain acts like an accurate protective sensation warning of potential or worsening damage. Just like if the fire alarm goes off in the house, one doesn't know where the fire is or, more importantly, the severity of the fire. Did someone just cook on the stovetop with olive oil again and the whole kitchen is smoky? That's not the same intensity as if there were an actual fire coming from the stove. 

And yet, it is the same fire alarm that goes off for both situations... 

The alarm doesn't tell us where the fire is, nor how severe it is. Pain is the same. 

3. Don't Rush If You Flare Up
The journey to recover from pain is full of peaks and valleys. Patients frequently describe "good days" and "bad days". This is completely normal. 

Rather than viewing painful flare ups as a re-injury or a "setback", we can take this time to evaluate specific triggers and situations which provoked it. Factors such as a poor night's sleep, stressful week at work, or a fight with your spouse. The point is not to feel guilty about WHAT played a part in the flare up, but to observe it, address it, and learn from it. 

Healthy Low Back Tip: Place a sticky-note on your refrigerator which states, "A flare up will come. I will be OK." 

4. Don't Believe Everything You Hear, Read, or See (especially on social media!)
​When pain reaches a certain point, most people are willing to try just about ANYTHING. 

With the rapid increase in online influencers, it has become increasingly challenging for patients suffering with low back pain to sift through the vast amount of opinions, myths, and information online. There are snake-oil salesmen out there selling their remedies, so be on the lookout. When listening, reading or watching someone discuss ways, it is best to be extremely cautious and wary of anyone who claims to "cure" low back pain. Whether that is a chiropractor claiming to cure low back pain with a specific adjustment or technique, or a physical therapist claiming to cure it with a specific manual therapy method. Be wary, very wary. (This coming from a chiropractic physician!) 

Therefore, before choosing a particular provider, treatment or approach it is important to research, discuss and investigate your options. What we do in our office is sit down with patients - or stand if that's more comfortable :)  and we go through what is called Informed Consent, which we map out for them using the acronym "BRAN":

B: Benefits, as in, "Here's the benefit of exercises for low back pain." 
R: Risks, as in "Here are the inherent and potential risks of each method we prescribe." 
A: Alternative Options, as in, "In addition to chiropractic & physical therapy, another option is..." (which also includes benefits and risk for EACH option. Most providers RARELY disclose these and it proves to be quite costly for both time and effort.)
N: Nothing, as in, "Here's what you expect if you do nothing for your low back."  

5. Don't Rely on X-rays or MRIs
While medical images, such a X-rays, MRIs and CTs are helpful in certain clinical situations, only a small number of people actually need them. A thorough patient history and physical examination will effectively dictate the medical necessity for an image. Providers who over-prescribe MRIs and X-rays for every low back patient are going against the current clinical practice guidelines (Which were put together by leading experts in chiropractic, physical therapy, neurosurgery, and medical researchers... So, basically, the authority figures on the topic and NONE of them recommend obtaining an X-ray on every low back pain patient. If you are in a medical office and X-rays are recommended, without explanation, as part of the practices Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), you have my permission to quietly walk out of the appointment. 

Here's why the reliance on medical imaging has become problematic. One study showed that 40% of people over the age of 30 and 50% of people over the age of 40 have lumbar spine (low back) disc bulges on MRI. These people were asymptomatic! 

So, it is important we don't equate what we see on the x-ray or MRI to the relevance of the person.