As chiropractic students, learning to adjust the spine or other joints we were always in pursuit of getting “the crack”. The assumption was/is is that if we do not hear the crack then we haven’t fixed the problem. Is this true? Is the crack more important than getting movement to the joints?
I have patients who get disappointed that they didn’t hear “the crack” and tend to need care sooner if this happens.. I have also had patients improve in range of motion and pain despite not hearing the crack. This isn’t surprising considering that other methods such as joint mobilisations and self mobilisation methods help reduce pain as well and improve function.
Personally, I feel that the benefit of hearing the cracking sound is a psychological benefit vs a physiological benefit. It can even be a psychological benefit for the chiropractor who has felt he/she has done something when the crack occurs. I admit, hearing the crack is satisfying to hear. But, in the end, I focus on improving movement to the joint rather than hearing a crack.
Regardless of what I think here is what the research says
Does an audible release (crack) improve the outcome of a chiropractic adjustment?
There is no direct evidence for the physiological therapeutic benefit of the audible release associated with the chiropractic adjustment
To conclude, an audible release may improve the outcome of a chiropractic adjustment, but therapeutic benefits of the audible release are likely to be psychological, and not physiological
So don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear a crack. The important thing is to see results in your care. If you aren’t improving talk to your chiropractor.
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Is it bad to crack your knuckles?
Dr Notley
Helping people move better, feel better, perform better in Winnipeg since 2000
Originally posted on May 17, 2022 @ 4:38 pm
