Is a Little Snap, Crackle, & Pop in the Morning Good For the Spine?
In the world of pain management, we are frequently asked whether we would recommend chiropractic care for spine pain and joint pain or not. The answer is usually that it depends.
It depends on the expertise of the physician or chiropractor performing the manipulation. The expertise of the individual providing the service is almost always what makes or breaks any professional including a chiropractor, pain practitioner, surgeon, plumber, chef, etc.
The word chiropractic comes from a Greek word meaning “done by hand.” Chiropractic manipulation when performed by the hands of someone with significant expertise can result in improved function and diminished pain. When we twist our backs or have someone twist it for us, do not be alarmed when there is an audible popping sound. Typically pressure is being placed on synovial fluid which is a lubricant for bone and cartilage. As this occurs, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide are released, and the popping sound is the gas bubble bursting, a process known as cavitation. This type of therapy is only one of many treatment offerings by chiropractors.
- Other chiropractor offerings:
- Ice and heat
- Electrical stimulation
- Relaxation techniques
- Targeted exercises
One of the newer offerings with highly trained chiropractors and certain physicians is manipulation under anesthesia. This is a non-invasive approach to breaking up adhesions in muscles, joints, and tissue around the nerve roots. At Advanced Spine and Pain, we have doctors of osteopathy who are double board-certified and who have received additional training with a special focus on the musculoskeletal system and the interconnection of muscles, bones, and nerves along with spinal manipulation. We also have on staff, a chiropractor who is at the forefront of his profession and a leader in all aspects of the word. This chiropractor is a national trainer of other chiropractors in the treatment and nuances of MUA therapy. If you would like to consider a little snap, crackle, and pop for your spine or joint pain, please talk to us (at) ASAP.