So you’re feeling the urge to crack your own joints? But should you? Or shouldn’t you?
Like most accurate retorts, the simple answer comes down to – ‘well, it depends’. This blog post will help you understand, where you should, where you shouldn’t and if you must, then how!
Should I or shouldn’t I?
It all depends on which joints on the body you’re cracking yourself and how you’re cracking them.
Should I self-crack my axial skeleton?
Your axial skeleton refers to the bones along your vertical axis – so your neck, back and pelvis. If you’ve been self-cracking anywhere on your axial skeleton, stop right now. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Self-manipulating your axial skeleton isn’t safe. While you may feel immediate relief, you’re deteriorating your joints over time. If you’re feeling the urge, see a trained Chiro or Physio to improve your biomechanics.
But what can a Chiro do that I can’t?
A chiro doesn’t just ‘crack ya back’. They perform a targeted chiropractic adjustment with appropriate force and velocity – a skill that requires many years of training and practical experience.
So then which joints can I DIY crack?
You can self-crack anything appendicular (or non-axial). That is, shoulder, elbow, hand, knee, foot. But only using the traction technique, never the compression one. The traction technique increases the joint space from its relaxed (straight) position. It feels like your ‘stretching’ or ‘pulling’ the joint.
Never apply compression! The compression technique closes the joint space from its compressed (bent) position. It feels like your ‘crunching’ or ‘squashing’ the joint. Never perform a self-adjustment with compression.
In summary, don’t self-manipulate your neck, spine or pelvis. Ever. Self-cracking anything non-axial like fingers and toes is ok as long as you perform the adjustment with traction, not compression.
To chat with one of our Human Movement Co. professionals, book online today!
Comments are closed.