04/04/2025
CRACK! The Science Behind That Satisfying Sound 💥
Loads of clients ask me to crack their back with the thought that their joints are out of place! This isn't the case, there is no misalignment and there are no joints out of place (this is TOTAL nonsense!). So what's REALLY happening when your joints pop?
That unmistakable crack isn’t bones rubbing together—it’s gas cavitation! When a joint is stretched or manipulated, the synovial fluid inside rapidly changes in pressure, creating a gas bubble. As it collapses, the result is an audible release—like a tiny internal thunderclap! ⚡
But here’s the truth: the sound alone doesn’t mean the technique was effective. The pop is just a by-product of pressure changes—it tells us nothing about joint function, mobility, or pain relief.
Chasing the crack isn’t clinically relevant—what matters is the outcome, not the noise!
Modern research shows that spinal manipulation can optimize joint mobility, reduce tension, and modulate pain perception—even without an audible release. So, while the sound might be satisfying, the real magic is in the movement!
Who loves that feeling? 🙋♂️🙋♀️ thanks to OMT for their great research!
