Question
Hey there Iv been strugling with Constant back pain and neck pain since I was 15 Iv been in a few snowmobile accidents I also used to play hockey. When i was going threw high school i constantly was cracking my back on chairs to releif the pain getting people to pick me up and crunch my back or to push on my back on the ground, only onve have i felt goood from a chiro, i have seen 3 now one old school who would snap your neck and one who use's that clicking gun type thing, im always cracking my back in my sleep my neck also im in serious pain i can function perfect but i have to deal with this pain all day everyday even if im not working. can someone please help me...

Answer
Hi Chris,

By constantly 'cracking' your back, you are actually aggravating your neck and back pain. When you 'crack' the joints in your back excessively, they become hypermobile (they move too much) and this causes all your back muscles to tighten up to try and stabilize the joints. Although you cracking yourself provides temporary relief, it is not advisable. Exercises, stretches, muscle release therapy, laser therapy, and some adjustments would be helpful. In the meantime I would recommend that you try to cut back on the self-cracking.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Liza