There’s nothing quite like a good back crack to help you loosen up and relieve some tension. But is cracking your own back safe? Or could it lead to long-term damage? Let’s take a closer look if self-chiropractic adjustments are something you should be doing.
Why It’s Not Advisable to Crack Your Own Back
It’s not recommended that you crack your own back for a number of reasons. Here are a couple of reasons why you should avoid cracking your own back:
You Don’t Know Where to Apply the Pressure
One of the main reasons why you shouldn’t crack your own back is because you simply don’t know where to apply the pressure. It’s easy to apply too much pressure to the wrong area, which can lead to pain and discomfort.
You Might Not Be Hitting the Right Spot
Even if you do manage to apply the right amount of pressure, you might not be hitting the right spot. This can also lead to pain and discomfort.
You Could Injure Yourself
Perhaps the most obvious reason why you shouldn’t crack your own back is because you could injure yourself. It’s easy to overdo it when cracking your own back, which can lead to pulled muscles, strained ligaments, and other injuries.
These are just a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t crack your own back. If you’re looking for relief from back pain, it’s best to see a professional chiropractor who can help you get the relief you need without putting your health at risk.
The Risks of Self-Cracking
Not only is cracking your own back not very effective, but it’s also risky. Here are a few of the risks associated with self-cracking:
Muscles can tear around the back
When you crack your back, you’re essentially putting a lot of stress on your muscles. This can lead to them tearing, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Chronic overstretched ligaments
Ligaments are the tissues that hold your bones together. When you crack your back, you’re stretching these ligaments beyond their normal range of motion. This can lead to chronic overstretching, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Injury to blood vessels around the neck and back
It’s also possible to injure the blood vessels around your neck and back when you crack your own back. This can lead to bruising, swelling, and pain.
Can I Have My Friend Crack My Back?
Another common question people have is whether or not it’s safe to have someone else crack their back. The answer to this question is yes if they don’t have any chiropractic training.
There are a few risks associated with having someone else crack your back, but they’re generally not serious. These risks include:
- The person could crack your back too hard.
- They might not hit the right spot.
- You could feel dizzy or lightheaded after the adjustment.
Overall, the risks of having someone else crack your back are not worth it when you can see a professional chiropractor who will be able to provide you with safe and effective treatment.
The Bottom Line
Cracking your own back is not safe or effective. If you’re looking for relief from back pain, it’s best to see a professional chiropractor. Not only will they be able to provide you with the relief you need, but they’ll also be able to do it without putting your health at risk.
Do you have any questions about chiropractic care? Leave them in the comments below and we’ll answer them for you!
