What makes the popping sound? 2nd April 2017
It can sound quite startling when you have your first adjustment. Understanding what makes the 'popping' sound and where it comes from can help you relax and enjoy the feeling of released tension. But, before we do that, it helps to explain exactly what an adjustment does.
Before performing an adjustment your chiropractor or osteopath will run a variety of examinations to identify which segments of your spine or joints are not moving as well as they should.
Your practitioner has spent many thousands of hours learning how to identify which areas need adjustments and which ones don't.
They then use specific contact points along the spine and adjacent to the joints to provide motion which takes the joint tissues through their range of motion. Doing this gently, quickly and specifically causes a change in the pressure of the fluid and gas within the joint which often results in popping or clicking sound. We call this technique an ADJUSTMENT and it is a very helpful tool - especially when it is used alongside massage, acupuncture and exercise in the rehabilitation of many of the conditions we see here.
For those interested in the technical information... the applied force separates the articular surfaces of the joint, which in turn creates a reduction in pressure within the joint cavity. In this low-pressure environment, some of the gases that are dissolved in the synovial fluid (which are naturally found in all bodily fluids) leave the solution, making a bubble, resulting in a "clicking" sound. The contents of the resultant gas bubble are thought to be mainly carbon dioxide.
Think about taking the lid of a jam jar or opening a can of cola... as the pressure changes you hear a sound as the gases shift.
So there you have it... having an adjustment is not popping or clicking the spine back in to place but a release of gases within the joints. As I'm sure you will agree, in comparison with other types of releases of gas from the body the sounds associated with having an adjustment aren't the worst!
Remember - eggs get cracked, spines get adjusted!
If you would like to know more please feel free to call us on 01782 660744 or use the Get in touch tab at the top of the page.
Wishing you happiness and good spinal health!
Andy Knibbs DC
Principal Chiropractor Stoke on Trent Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic
