Ever since I started MA and have become more flexible, it seems I always have to crack my upper back, fingers, neck, or shoulders (especially the ball in socket joint). If I sit in a position for even a minute without perfect posture I can crack my upper back by rolling back my shoulders. I've done a bit of research online but have gotten mixed results.

Most websites say the cracking sound is produced through the escaping of gases. That when you stretch a joint, gas such as nitrogen is rapidly released creating a bubble. Most websites say it is caused by gas release, but the mixed results I've gotten is whether or not it is bad for you.

For instance will it lead to arthritis down the road? Is it wearing away the ligaments? Also, having someone crack your back for you is this bad?

What have been your experiences with this? and as you have gotten more flexible have you had to crack your back/neck more often?

I've hear the "escaping gasses" thing before, and I just don't know. Where does this gas come from? And if it escapes, where does it go? I think the sound is more likely caused by the joint moving around, or loosening up. Maybe like a sucton cup kind of thing where things move around, you may have little spaces in there that have "gas" in them. Who knows?

As far as making your joints pop. I have hear the tales about that causing arthritis. I doubt that is the case. Arthritis is laid down by the body when there is an imbalance or injury, in an attempt to stabilize itself.

Moving the joints around, I think, is healthy for the joints, so long as you move them in their intended ranges of motion. With the neck and back, I think you can get away with doing whatever you want as far as flexion and extension goes, but I would be careful with lateral flexion and rotation. You don't want to injure a joint while moving it, and with the neck in particular, you could cause problems if you overwork those ranges.

The best person to crack your back for you is probably a chiropractor.

The best person to crack your back for you is probably a chiropractor.

This is a good point. I have been to the chiropracter though about this and I went about 3 times and it didn't help much. I kind of believe chiropracters are over rated. But just to give an idea of how often I have to crack my neck/ back, when I typed that first post I had to crack my neck about 4 times. It's bad. :-p

The best person to crack your back for you is probably a chiropractor.

My mom had to go to a chiropracter a while ago. She asked about me cracking my neck and back, and she said it was good that I do that myself. :)

PL

This is a good point. I have been to the chiropracter though about this and I went about 3 times and it didn't help much. I kind of believe chiropracters are over rated. But just to give an idea of how often I have to crack my neck/ back, when I typed that first post I had to crack my neck about 4 times. It's bad. :-p

That's bad enough you should be seeing a doc. Perhaps one who specializes in back/neck issues. If it was a couple of times/day, I wouldn't worry, but from the sounds of it (unless you are the world's worst typist), you are constantly having to do this. FTR, Chiropractors have worked miracles with some friends of mine. Others have been regularly for only temporary relief. I think it's up there with accupuncture.

Rule of thumb:

If the cracking comes through general actions and your usual full range of motion, and is completely painless, it's nothing to worry about. The technical term for "crunchy" joints is "crepitus."

However, if the joint cracking is painful, or you're doing exorbitant amounts of stretching to try to achieve a crack, such as torso twists, that's unhealthy.

For the most part, I've never heard of a real need for partner-assisted "cracking" outside of a chiropractic sense, and even in the case of flexibility work, someone inexperienced or unknowledgeable about stretching can severely hurt you. The "Wharton Guide to Active Isolated Stretching" basically says never to have partners assist you with any kind of neck stretches, since the potential for injury is so great.

I have good luck with safely cracking my back with the "centerfold" stretch, where you twist to the right by pushing your right knee with your left elbow while sitting down, but that's not common.

I wouldn't worry about arthritis.

Steve is correct.

No to arthritis.
Yes to:
"Most websites say the cracking sound is produced through the escaping of gases. "

I'm pretty cracky myself so I made sure to research this a long time ago.
I found that consciously NOT cracking everything I could crack all the time, and just not doing it made it better. Er, less prone to cracking.

I crack like cocaine.

My uncle's a MD and I asked him about it. He said that, as long as it doesn't hurt, I don't have to worry about health risks like arthritis.

Internet for the instant win! Wikipedia, corner pocket. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracking_knuckles)

Sometimes, it hurts, but usually it is just really uncomfortable until I crack it...

The best person to crack your back for you is probably a chiropractor.

But before you do it, consult this site: http://www.quackwatch.org
Scroll down to _chiropractic_.

Tomas

But before you do it, consult this site: http://www.quackwatch.org
Scroll down to _chiropractic_.

Tomas

Interesting Site!

chiropractors are the bullshido of the medical world. most major medical institutes don't recognize chiropractic practices as legit physical therapy. and it is possible to practice as a chiropractor with out a medical license in some states.

also watch penn and tellers bullshit. they have a skewed and 1 sided view about the subject, but it is informative none the less. and fucking hilarious

chiropractors are the bullshido of the medical world. most major medical institutes don't recognize chiropractic practices as legit physical therapy. and it is possible to practice as a chiropractor with out a medical license in some states.

also watch penn and tellers bullshit. they have a skewed and 1 sided view about the subject, but it is informative none the less. and fucking hilarious

No they aren't. Sure there are quacks in every field, and granted most chiropractors think they are bigger authorities than they really are.

What State doesn't have an administrative board over Chiropractors?

I crack my back all the time, especially at school where I push against the desk to crack while in my seat. Fun stuff.

I can even crack my sternum, due to a weird chest condition I've got.

I crack my back all the time, especially at school where I push against the desk to crack while in my seat. Fun stuff.

I do that too. Especially since the seat is hard and it only goes half way up my back, it makes it crack well.

PL