What causes the “cracking” or “popping” sound made during a chiropractic adjustment?
Joints contain clear and slippery synovial fluid for nourishment and for lubrication. When a joint under tension, is moved Chiropractically, often times “cavitation” occurs within the synovial fluid. Cavitation is the formation of “nitrogen bubbles” quickly forming within the joint space. The question might arise: Doesn’t popping your knuckles cause “arthritis” of the knuckles. And if that’s the case, won’t adjusting the spine cause arthritis there too? The answer is that “popping” your knuckles does not cause arthritis. What could cause arthritis of the knuckles would be popping them “neurotically”. Joint motion enhances circulation and lubrication and healing. Therefore, adjusting joints is absolutely healthy. The mistake is made by taking a good thing to the extreme. Frequent, abusive or “neurotic” “popping” of knuckles is not healthy. Yes that could become harmful. Anything can be taken to the extreme. Something that is essentially good can be made “bad”. Take “water” for example.
It’s not your spine making that noise. It’s just like the sound made when you “crack” your knuckles. The sound is caused by nitrogen gas rushing in between joints in your spine when they are partially separated during adjustment. 14. Should I continue chiropractic care if I don’t have any symptoms and I feel better? This is like asking, Should I continue to strive to maintain good health my whole life? The answer is obvious. Your spine is constantly being subjected to subversive impulsive forces–forces delivered in falls, bumps, and even while sleeping. Even though your last ailment may have disappeared after treatment, there may be symptoms unrecognized by you that are even now doing long-term damage to your body. Just as it is important for you to visit the dentist periodically, even if you don’t feel dental pain, so is it important for you to visit the chiropractor periodically. Your insurance company will probably cover up to six, and perhaps more, visits per year.
