Crack Someone Else's Back

What happens when we crack our back? The current belief is that the noise is nitrogen rushing into the facet joints as they open up. This can happen when we apply forces to our spinal joints, but rarely has any benefit apart from mild, temporary relief brought on by endorphin release, our body's natural pain killers. Professional treatment (Chiro, Osteo, Physio) for misaligned vertebrae can rid you of this everyday need to manipulate your spine.

Steps

Doctor-Recommended Advice

1. Get an alignment from a chiropractor. A chiropractic manipulates the neuromusculoskeletal system to bring any joints or sections of the spine back into alignment. Although chiropractic adjustment is seen by some to be a pseudoscience, it is almost certainly safer than administering a chiropractic adjustment at home, without the supervision of a licensed professional.
2. Understand that cracking your back may not help with chronic back pain. Many people crack their back in order to help relieve pain. If you experience chronic back pain and are cracking your back in order to relieve pain, you're treating the symptoms, not the underlying problem.
   • Chiropractors, physical therapists, or orthopedists use techniques that have been studied and replicated with good results. If you or another person whose back you're cracking is in chronic pain, visit a licensed professional who can not only treat the pain, but who can also diagnose the underlying problem and work to fix it.
3. Know the risks associated with back and neck cracking. Although most patients who undergo spinal manipulation report no adverse health effects, there are risks associated with back cracking. Doctors are particularly worried about tearing in the lining of the vertebral artery in the neck that can happen when a person gets their neck cracked. This can lead to stroke.
4. Know that none of the methods described below are necessarily medically recommended. The below methods, although extremely effective, are not medically recommended. Visit a licensed professional if you have any doubts about cracking someone's back.

Bear Hug

1. Stand face to face with the person whose back you're cracking. You ideally want the person to be smaller and lighter than you, although a person of equal size is acceptable.
2. Have the person take 10 deep breaths. A person who is relaxed tends to get a better crack using this method.
3. Lift the other person using your hands, which are wrapped around the person's back and clenched in one big fist.
4. Start at the lower center of the person's spine, right above the small of the back.
5. Gradually let the person fall down while alternating pressure on each vertebrae as they drop down. You should hear a crack in several different vertebrae as the person falls down.
6. Continue to let the person drop down slowly, encouraging them to breathe evenly and slowly.

Lifting from Behind

1. Have the other person cross their arms against their chest. Their hands should be flat against the opposing shoulder.
2. Ask the person to take 10 deep breaths. A person who is relaxed tends to get a better crack.
3. Come up behind the other person and hug them, grabbing a hold of their upper chest.
4. Lift the other person up in one swift motion. Lean back as you lift them up.
5. Gently lower the other person back down.

Lying Down on the Floor

1. Ask your friend to lay down on their stomach down with their hands to the side and head turned. Place them on a yoga mat for increased comfort.
2. Sit lightly on top of the person and both hands, with palms facing down, on either side of the spine, about two inches apart.
3. Starting at the bottom of the spinal column, move your way up the person's back. Lift your own body up if this helps you put more weight into the motion.
4. Apply just enough pressure with your palms until you feel a popping sound. Do not press so hard that you dig into the person's muscles.
5. Slowly work your way up the person's back. Have them turn their head to the opposite side and repeat until all vertebrae are cracked.

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Sources and Citations

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