If I Come to See the Chiropractor, do I Need to get my Neck or Back Cracked?

Do I Need to Get my Back Cracked by a Chiropractor?

This is a common question that's often asked of me.  The short answer is "no".  The chiropractic school that I chose, the National College of Chiropractic, (now the "National University of Health Science"), excels in offering a wide variety of helpful techniques to relieve pain and problems.  Most involve no "cracking" or manipulation.  I should first state that manipulation is a safe technique with an excellent safety record.  It has been well studied with risks of serious complication being about 1 out of 5.85 million for an adjustment to the neck from a trained chiropractor.  These are much safer odds than the risks of routine usage of over the counter pain medications.  

I don't say this to discourage people from taking medication, medication can be a safe effective way of improving your quality of life, and I wouldn't wish to deny that to anyone.  I just wish to offer this information so that people realize chiropractic is a safe approach.  

Adjustments to the Back are Safer

Adjustments to the back or extremities (shoulders, hands, ankles or feet) are even safer then adjustments to the neck.

Since it's safe, why shouldn't everyone who needs it get manipulation?  Comfort.  Some people just don't like the idea of it.  It's usually that there is a fear of the noise and what it represents.  What is the noise? In your neck and back is a series of joints. One of the causes of pain is the joints not moving smoothly in relation to each other. When you receive an adjustment, you are getting a deep stretch of these joints.  

Joints are Capsules Sealing in Fluid Between Bones

In the joints there is a capsule sealing in fluid between the bones.  In the fluid, there are dissolved gases.  When the joint gets the needed stretch, the space between the joint stretches apart a tiny bit, so that the parts of the joint can reset itself and find a more natural position in which your neck and back can move more easily.  In that process, the volume of the joint is briefly increased, in that instant the volume increases, causing the gases to pop out of solution, similar to what happens when you uncork a bottle of champagne.  

The bones are not rubbing against each other, and tiny bones are not being cracked. Sometimes some people have had it done and decided they didn't like it.  Many who've been afraid of having it done have decided it actually felt really good. Besides comfort, there are some absolute medical contraindications, such as active cancer, fracture or clotting disorders, so it's not applied in those situations.

Everyone Should Get Adjusted!

I used to work with a doctor who felt that it was important that everyone get adjusted.  He would argue with and scold patients and do everything he could to get them to agree to an adjustment. He was my boss at the time and told me to do argue with any patients who didn't want to get adjusted.  But I found many people intellectually realized it was safe, but still didn't want to get it done.  I soon decided that the benefit didn't necessarily trump their discomfort. Also, I don't enjoy arguing as much as he did.  I told people that it was safe and effective, that it would often make their improvement occur faster, but that it was ultimately their decision and that I was comfortable with whatever they wanted to do.  But I told them that if the boss ever asked, tell him that I'd argued for long periods of time.  I felt then and feel now, that the time spent arguing was time that could have been much better spent doing something (not involving cracking) that still helped the patient.  I use many soft tissue techniques (myofascial release/brief massage/manual trigger point work/assisted stretching), specific exercises and stretches that are also quite effective, so there were still many ways to help patients.  In my current office, we also have state of the art Class IV laser therapy, computerized mechanical decompression traction for neck and back, as well as the old standby's of electrical stimulation and ultrasound, so I'm rarely without a way to helps someone.   

If you've a question on how I can help, whether you're leery of cracking, feel that you need it or aren't sure, please call!

For more information and health tips, visit the Rosa Chiropractic Rockville website and like us on Facebook.

 Dr. Charlie Ginsburg has a strong research background, having spent eight years in the field of connective tissue biochemistry. His practice focuses on the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries to the extremities and the spine. He uses physical therapy, rehab and chiropractic techniques, and incorporates ergonomics and therapeutic exercise into patients' treatment. He believes in inter-professional collaboration, and has strong relationships with members of the medical community and diverse alternative practitioners. Dr. Ginsburg has special interests in evidence-based medicine and martial arts injuries. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College, spent six years in the PhD program at Boston University School of Medicine (ABD), and has a Doctorate of Chiropractic from the National College of Chiropractic.  He is licensed in Maryland as a Chiropractor with Physical Therapy Privileges.

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