How To Crack Someone?s Back

Thanks to the growing phenomenon of 'text neck,' most of us are, so it makes sense that a good crack or two would bring relief, right? Much like the fairly harmless practice of, easing muscle and joint tension in the neck through some DIY snaps is often seen as a way to counteract all that downward-facing-neck stagnation. But, unfortunately, there's a huge difference.' Your brain stem isn't running through your hands,' says Patrick Kerr, D.C., a New York-based chiropractor. 'Cracking your knuckles affects the joints in your finger. But cracking your neck?

That's going to have an effect in your brain and along your spine.' While Kerr adds that it's safe to crack your neck very occasionally—and ideally, in an inadvertent way as you turn your head for other reasons—there are numerous reasons to refrain from making it an everyday practice. Cracking your neck can actually make things worse, which leads to more cracking, which makes things worse. (You get the picture.)Here's a fundamental truth, according to Kerr: The human body has a pretty serious design flaw, and it's called the neck. 'You have your brain in a ball, essentially, sitting on top of this slender collection of tendons, arteries, muscles, and vertebrae,' he says. 'That's just bad engineering, really.'

As tension builds from activity—particularly the repetitive kind, like checking your phone or working at a computer—you can get out of alignment. The body's response is to tighten your neck muscles so that they act as a splint to keep you from overstretching.

But then, surprise! The good-for-you splint feels hella tight and leads to more issues in your shoulders and lower back. And that's when the vicious cracking cycle begins.' You know, on some level, that movement brings relief, so that leads to cracking,' says Kerr.

'But then you begin to discover that it takes more and more effort to get relief. It becomes a habit.' When it flips into habit mode, then the joint overstretches and becomes more lax, leading to more stiffness and soreness, which then leads to more cracking.

How To Crack Someone S Back

Lather, rinse, repeat. Pop quiz: What's worse than habitually cracking your neck? Letting someone else do it.As much as cracking your neck can cause a constant spin cycle of muscle, joint, and tendon issues, that's nothing compared to the hurt other people can bring down on you, even with the best of intentions.' Literally, there isn't a single day in which I don't see injuries caused by a spouse or friend or teammate,' says Keith Overland, D.C., spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association. 'Then, kids pick it up from watching their parents and 'help out' their friends with neck and back cracking. I have whole waiting rooms full of those people.' The problems you might cause by cracking your own neck—more stiffness, pulled muscles, that scary —are even greater when you have an untrained pal or significant other do the work.

When you begin trying to stretch your neck out, you'll have a feel for when pain starts being a concern, but your buddy won't know that until it's probably too late and some damage is done. A professional can give you a good, tension-releasing adjustment (chiro-speak for a juicy crack), but if the whole idea freaks you out, there are other ways to get relief.Lately it seems that around 98 percent of all action movies have the 'death by neck crack' move, and some people fear that a visit to a chiropractor, osteopath, or physical therapist will turn the cinematic into the all-too-real. There are some risks associated with an aggressive adjustment, but they tend to be fairly modest when compared to complication rates for other medical treatments, believes Overland.

Still, there are always other options.' There are many approaches that can be taken to reduce neck pain and help alignment,' Overland says. 'The best approach is to talk with your chiropractor or other professional about what's recommended. Certainly, if you feel uncomfortable about that particular adjustment, it shouldn't be included in your treatment. If the doctor is insistent about it, then.'

Try out some non-cracky home remedies if you prefer to delay the health provider route.Maybe you haven't yet gotten hooked on the crack track, or your neck pain and stiffness is still fairly minor. In that case, it's easy to employ some strategies now that can be far more useful than some snap-crackle-pop action.For example, former New York City Ballet dancer Brynn Putnam notes that a at your desk throughout your day can help alleviate tension and fight the hunched-shoulder posture that's become so common.You can also focus on that benefit the neck-shoulders-back package, like a reclining spinal twist or a classic yoga staple like.If your neck pain persists, then it's likely time to get some professional insight so you can get back into alignment. 'If you feel like you have to move your head all the time to get relief, that's a dangerous path,' says Kerr. In other words, remember: Crack is wack.Photo Credit: MarsBars / Getty Images.

When you “crack” your back, you’re adjusting, mobilizing, or manipulating, your spine. Overall, it should be fine for you to do this to your back on your own.These adjustments don’t actually require those telltale cracking and popping sounds to be effective, but we know they offer that momentary feeling of relief. Just remember not to overdo it or force anything.Here are 10 moves and stretches to help you crack your back, plus a video that demonstrates some of those moves in more detail.Gentle stretches and movements like the ones described here to adjust your back can also warm up your body and muscles, loosening tight areas.First, we start with two ways to use a chair on your back. Sit in a chair and reach your right arm across your body to hold the left side of the chair. Your right hand should be on the seat of the chair or on the outside of your left leg.

Lift your left arm behind you to hook it over the back of the chair. Carefully twist your upper body to the left as far as you can go, keeping your hips, legs, and feet facing forward.

How To Crack Someone's Back While Lying Down

Repeat these moves on the opposite side to twist to the right.Your twist should start at the base of your spine. You’ll feel this stretch in your lower and middle back. From a standing position, place your palms along your back or at the top of your butt, with your fingers pointing down and your pinky fingers on either side of your spine. Lift and extend your spine upwards and then arch backwards, using your hands to apply gentle pressure to your back. Hold this position for 10 to 20 seconds, and remember to breathe. If your flexibility allows, you can move your hands further up your spine and do the stretch at different levels.You may also feel the stretch in your upper spine or between your shoulder blades. Sit on the floor with your left leg extended in front of you and your right leg bent so your knee is up.

Cross your right leg over the left by planting your right foot outside of your left knee. Keep your spine lengthened and straight. Place your right hand on the ground behind your hips and place your left elbow outside of your right knee, turning to look over your right shoulder.

Press your arm and knee into each other to deepen the stretch.The twist should start at your lower back. You’ll feel this stretch all along your spine. Lie on your back with your right leg straightened and your left leg bent. Extend your left arm out to the side and away from your body and turn your head to the left. As you hold that extended position, twist your lower body to the right.

Youtube How To Crack Someone's Back Video

Imagine that you are trying to touch the ground with your left shoulder and your left knee at the same time. You don’t need to actually do this — your left shoulder will most likely be raised up off the floor, and your knee may not reach the floor by itself either. You can place a pillow under your left shoulder if it doesn’t reach all the way down. Breathe deeply as you use your right hand to press down your left knee. Draw your left knee higher up toward your chest or straighten your leg to deepen the stretch. Repeat on the opposite side.You’ll feel this stretch in your lower back.

These simple stretches can be done as part of a longer stretching routine or on their own throughout the day.Always move carefully in and out of each exercise without making sudden or sharp movements. You may want to take a few moments to relax before and after each stretch.Be gentle and gradually increase the amount of pressure or intensity used for these stretches.Usually, each stretch will produce only one adjustment instead of repetitive ones. Even if you don’t get an adjustment from these stretches, they should still feel good and help you to loosen up your joints. It may be safe to adjust your own back as long as you do so carefully and with caution. But, some people believe it should be because they are specifically trained in how to adjust backs safely.Adjusting your back incorrectly or too often could exacerbate or cause pain, muscle strain, or injuries.

It could also lead to hypermobility, which is where you stretch your spine and back muscles so much that they lose elasticity and can come out of alignment.If you have back pain, swelling, or some type of injury, you shouldn’t crack your own back. This is especially important if you have or suspect that you have any type of disc issue. Wait until you heal completely or seek the support of a physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath. It’s important to listen to and know your body when adjusting your own back. Be gentle and refrain from forcing your body to perform movements or into any position. These stretches shouldn’t cause you discomfort, pain, or numbness.Experiment to find which stretches work the best for you, since it’s possible that not all of these stretches will suit your needs.If you experience severe pain or if your symptoms become worse, discontinue the practice and see a physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath.