Many people crack their backs when they feel tired and exhausted after sitting for long periods. This movement makes them feel comfortable, but have you ever considered whether it is safe or harmful? This is what we will discuss in this article.
What is back cracking?
Cracking your back is very harmful because it causes a loss of flexibility in the ligaments in your back. Cracking your back involves stretching your back until you hear the cracking sound of your bones and spine. This movement tenses your muscles, which in turn helps your spine, making it think there's a problem.
Is back cracking harmful?
The structure of the spine is connected to the spinal cord. When you crack your back, a twist can occur, causing damage to the spinal cord. In this case, you should stop this movement and consult a doctor.
Back cracking movement causes hypermobility in the joints, which leads to pain, joint weakness, and over time, it will harm the bone in general.
Your doctor has a thorough understanding of your bones, so there are instances when a physical therapist may need to perform back cracking. However, doctors have sufficient experience in this approach, so you shouldn't perform back cracking on your own.
How does back cracking happen?
Bony joints are separated from the cartilage by synovial fluid, a substance made up of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. This fluid is very important, protecting the bones from rubbing against each other. When you crack your back, this movement expands the joint capsule containing the synovial fluid, increasing pressure and forming bubbles.
Cracking your back feels good because it stretches your joints, stimulates your nerve endings, and relieves muscle tension. However, this feeling is temporary because the capsule between your 507 joints is filled with synovial fluid.
Risks of back cracking
There are many theories that explain why back cracking can be relaxing for people, but it has some potentially dangerous side effects, including:
1. Pain
Back cracking causes damage to the joints, thus giving a feeling of pain and discomfort.
2. Muscle tear
Muscle tear occurs when the muscle is overstretched and fatigued.
3. Stroke
Back cracking can cause a stroke. Spinal manipulation focuses on the neck, which can cause serious injury to the neck arteries.
4. Permanent instability
Back cracking can cause permanent ligament stretching.
Types of back cracking
The types of crackling are based on where it occurs, and the sound is caused by some injuries, and they are as follows:
1. Facet joints
These are joints located between the vertebrae. When the joint is rough and has difficulty sliding, you will feel a popping sound in your back. The cracking sound is a sign that there is damage to the cartilage due to arthritis.
2. Facet joint capsule
The sound occurs when the air pressure in the joint changes suddenly, causing the sound of bubbles to be heard in the joint fluid.
3. Connective tissue
Spasms in the spinal muscles, adhesions in the connective tissue, and roughness of the tendons may occur, and a cracking sound may occur during movement.
4. Back disc
Movement of the vertebrae can cause a herniated disc, which causes a cracking sound.
Tips to reduce back cracking habit
If you feel the need to crack your back, the best way to get rid of this habit is to find out the root cause of the cracking and treat it. You can follow these tips:
- Always move
- If you move a little, you are likely to feel back pain, which gives you a cracking feeling in your back, so you must move constantly.
- Support your spine
- This is done by using a pillow when sitting. This helps support the spine and reduces the urge to crack your back.
- Stretch your back muscles outwards
- The ability to stretch muscles varies from one person to another, depending on each individual's physical anatomy.
- Consult a specialist
- If you feel pain or tension in your neck or back, you should consult a doctor.
Is bone cracking beneficial?
Bone cracking is not harmful to tendons and joints, but it is actually a bad habit that has no benefit. Excessive use of it in the long run can cause pain and potentially lead to health problems.
What causes back cracking?
As a result of using certain muscles for a long time in an improper manner, and perhaps these muscles are unable to bear this continuous effort and the constant, stressful hole.
How do I get rid of back cracking?
The person inhales deeply and then exhales. When exhaling, he gives the muscles a chance to relax, and then pushes the joint straight.
At the end of the article, we've provided information on what back cracking is, whether it's harmful, how it occurs, the risks of back cracking, types of back cracking, and tips for curbing the habit of back cracking. You can review the information and learn about the harms of back cracking and tips for stopping this habit.
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