The popping or cracking sound is simply air that is naturally found in your joints. That air is vacuumed inside the joint and, when pressure is applied, you may hear air release from the joint. It is not related to knowing if you had a “good adjustment.” Some people don’t have obvious air releases but still receive effective adjustments.

For some people, the sound is uncomfortable. We are happy to use other techniques, such as instrument adjusting, that can make you more comfortable.

An adjustment is what a doctor of chiropractic performs to remove a subluxation. The pressure of an adjustment varies depending on the many factors, including the age of the patient and their history. This can be done with the chiropractors’ hands or an instrument. It is the most powerful tool chiropractors have, and the reason chiropractic care is so effective.

A subluxation is defined by chiropractors as restriction joint motion in the spine, causing nerve interference. Subluxations can occur starting at birth (womb and/or delivery positions) and occur throughout all stages of life. They manifest differently in everyone. For example, a subluxation in the neck may present as neck pain in one person, but in others can manifest as headaches, sinus pressure, or fatigue, to name a few.

Chiropractic care is a conservative approach to achieving an optimal level of health. It has been shown to improve the function of the nervous system and to help place the body in alignment. The chiropractic adjustments made by our doctors address subluxations (areas of joint restriction that cause nerve interference). Over time, you may notice improvements in your body’s systems and an increased feeling of wellness.

Instead of masking symptoms through the use of medications or other means, chiropractors have the ability to restore the body’s natural ability to heal itself when injury or dysfunction arise.