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What Does cracking your back do?
Cracking your back stretches squishy capsules on the outer edges of the vertebrae around joints called facet joints. Stretching these capsules allows the synovial fluid inside them to have more space to move around, releasing pressure on your back joints and muscles and moving your facet joints
What do you know about back cracking?
In the following, we will learn more about the back crack and the most important information:
Back crackling
Back cracking refers to the popping sound from the back when a certain movement occurs, such as: twisting, bending forward or backward.
It is a common occurrence and not a cause for concern, as 45% of people crack at least one joint on a daily basis.
But the crackling of the back becomes worrisome if it is accompanied by some symptoms, such as: pain or swelling.
Causes of back cracking
When the back cracks, nothing breaks or splits, as might come to mind from the sound, but there are a number of reasons behind this sound, including the following:
1. Back cracking due to cavitation
By that, we mean hearing a pop during the person’s normal movement or moving the spine close to its final range of motion. This is a normal, painless, non-disturbing cause that can occur during exercise.
2. Arthritis
A crack may arise when moving the spine due to a tear in the joints, or what is known as osteoarthritis.
3. Injury
Sometimes a crack in the back may indicate a bone or soft tissue injury.
Back cracking types
The crackling sounds are related to where they occur, and the sound can originate from one or more of these structures:
1. Face joints
They are joints between the vertebrae, when the joint becomes rough and difficult to slide, then a pop can be felt, and the popping sound here may be an indication of cartilage damage caused by arthritis .
2. Face joint capsule
In this case, the sound is created when the air pressure inside the joint suddenly changes, causing the joint fluid to bubble.
3. Connective tissue
Spinal muscle spasms, tendon stiffness, or adhesions in connective tissue may cause crackling during movement.
4. Disc
The movement of the vertebrae in a disc injury may cause a popping sound.
Why do some feel comfortable when cracking the back?
Scientists are still not completely sure of the causes of back cracking, and if it causes real risks or benefits, and there are some theories on this topic, including the following:
- Movement in general helps reduce pain.
- Some have linked the popping sound that comes from their joints as a sign that what they’re doing helps them feel physically comfortable.
- Cracking the back leads to a real feeling of comfort for many people who spend most of their day sitting, and the reason for this is that many of the muscles that support the spine can become stiff after long periods of inactivity, and stretching these muscles even if by cracking the back may It causes a feeling of comfort.
- Endorphins are released when joints crack, which gives a temporary feeling of relief, and although there is not enough research on this hypothesis, there are some claims.
Back cracking dangers
Despite theories about giving back cracking a feeling of comfort to individuals, they also carry risks, and the potential risks of back cracking are as follows:
- Pain: Back cracking affects the joints, which may cause pain or discomfort.
- Muscle tear: A muscle tear occurs when a muscle is overstretched and overstretched.
- Stroke: Back cracking carries a small risk of stroke , and if spinal manipulation focuses on the neck, it may cause serious injuries to the neck arteries.
- Permanent instability: Back cracking may cause the ligaments to stretch permanently.
- Nerve compression: or what is also known as a pinched nerve , pressure may occur on the nerves if a person cracks his back quickly or uses excessive force to do so.