The “Crack” During a Chiropractic Adjustment — What Does It Actually Mean?

One of the most common questions we hear in the clinic is:

“What actually makes that cracking sound?”

For some people, hearing a crack during an adjustment is satisfying. For others, it's the part they're most nervous about.

But despite what you might have heard, that sound doesn't mean your bones are cracking, grinding or being “put back into place.”

At Align & Restore Chiropractic in Strathmore, we think understanding what happens during an adjustment can make the whole experience feel much less intimidating.

So, What Causes the Crack?

The sound you sometimes hear during a chiropractic adjustment is called cavitation.

Your joints contain fluid that helps them move smoothly. When a joint moves quickly during an adjustment, the pressure within the joint changes.

This can result in the rapid formation of a gas cavity within the joint fluid, producing the familiar popping or cracking sound.

It's similar to what can happen when you crack your knuckles.

Does the Crack Mean Something Went Back Into Place?

No.

The idea that a chiropractor is putting a bone that has “slipped out” back into position is an oversimplification of what happens during an adjustment.

Chiropractic adjustments create movement within a joint while also stimulating sensory receptors in and around that area.

This information is then processed by the nervous system.

What If My Adjustment Doesn't Crack?

That's completely okay.

The sound isn't the goal of an adjustment.

Sometimes a joint will cavitate and sometimes it won't. A louder crack doesn't mean you've had a better adjustment, and no crack doesn't mean nothing happened.

There are also many different chiropractic techniques available, including lower-force options that may produce little or no sound at all.

What If I Don't Like Being Cracked?

Tell us!

Not everyone is comfortable with manual adjustments, and you shouldn't feel like you have to tolerate a technique you're nervous about.

At Align & Restore Chiropractic, we can modify treatment depending on your presentation, preferences and comfort level.

This may include lower-force techniques or instrument-assisted adjustments such as the Activator.

The Takeaway

The “crack” is simply a sound that can occur when a joint moves quickly and pressure within that joint changes.

It isn't your bones cracking, and it isn't a measure of whether an adjustment has worked.

If you've been avoiding seeing a chiropractor because you're nervous about being “cracked,” let us know. We're always happy to discuss your options and find an approach you're comfortable with.