Is It Safe to Crack Your Back?

Tightness grips your back as you sit at your desk plowing through another batch of emails. The feeling doesn’t hurt — but it’s not all sorts of fabulous, either. So you twist your torso just a little bit seeking a reprieve.

That’s when you hear it: Crack!

Instant relief follows that oh-so-satisfying sound. That felt really good, right? But here’s the question: Is cracking your back actually good for you? Let’s get the answer from chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC.

What happens when you crack your back?

First things first: How is that cracking sound actually made? The answer requires a little refresher course on human anatomy.

Let’s start with the spine, which snakes down the middle of your back. It combines with 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae to serve as your body’s primary support column. (Fast fact: Your spine supports about half of your body weight.)

This intricate system of bones is a marvel of engineering, combining strength and flexibility to help you sit, stand, walk, twist and bend.

Slippery connective tissue fills the joints between the vertebrae. This cartilage provides the flexibility that lets your body move like one of those inflatable air dancers outside car dealerships.

Those facet joints also speak out from time to time… especially when they’re fatigued. Overuse of a body joint leads to a buildup of gases and pressure inside it.

“Your joints don’t do well with pressure on them,” says Dr. Bang.

So they crack under that pressure. (Loudly, at times.)

The sound comes from that built-up gas escaping the joint when it’s stretched or manipulated. You also may hear popping or snapping noises from tendons and muscles “flicking” over this and that.

Is back cracking safe to do?

The answer is yes if you do it yourself, but with a warning label. “You move and you might crack your back without doing much of anything,” explains Dr. Bang. “It’s natural and it happens to everyone. In that regard, it’s not bad for you.”

The issue, however, is frequency. Gently cracking your back once every few days — or even once a day — isn’t necessarily a problem.

But if you’re making your back go snap, crackle and pop every few hours to relieve overburdened joints, that’s a sign of a repetitive stress issue that needs to be addressed, says Dr. Bang.

“When you start doing it multiple times a day, you’ve got to realize your body is trying to tell you something,” notes Dr. Bang. “You need to make some changes to get the pressure off.”

Lifestyle changes to silence a creaky back

In today’s tech-driven world, sitting at a computer for hours on end can lead to muscle fatigue and joint stiffness in your back. Some simple changes can reduce the stress and strain on your body.

For example:

• Change the height of your computer screen midday, which will force a change in posture. Trying a standing desk might be an option, too.
• Make it a priority to stand up and move every 30 to 45 minutes.
• If possible, walk around your desk during conference calls.

“The goal is to create some variety,” says Dr. Bang. “You wouldn’t go to the gym and only do bicep curls, right? It’s the same idea here. You have to switch things up and use different muscles.”

Stretches to relieve tension in your back

Gentle stretching also may help relieve tension on your back — or even safely make it crack. Here are a handful of seated, standing and on-the-floor stretches and exercises to try.

Seated chair twist

What this helps: The movement builds range of motion in the spine while also working muscles in your back. The stretch also benefits your neck, hips and even shoulders.

1. Sit tall in a chair with your back straight and your hips and feet facing forward.
2. Slowly twist your upper body to the right as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your hips and feet locked in position.
3. Hold for a few seconds.
4. Return to center.
5. Do the same movement to the left.

Seated piriformis stretch

What this helps: The stretch can help release tension in your lower back to address sciatic nerve pain.

1. Sit near the edge of your chair with your back straight and both feet flat on the floor.
2. Lift and bend your right leg so that it crosses over your left knee. Your right ankle should rest on your left thigh just above your left knee.
3. Lean forward from your waist until you feel a stretch in your buttocks (piriformis muscle).
4. Relax into the stretch and hold for 30 seconds.
5. Switch legs and repeat.

Upward stretch

What this helps: The stretch targets muscles in your upper back and shoulders.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Place your hands behind your head, interlocking your fingers.
3. Slowly arch backward as far as comfortable, pressing your head against your hands.
4. Hold for up to 10 seconds.

Standing back twist

What this helps: The movement builds flexibility and strength for your lower back.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, hips and feet facing forward.
2. Slowly twist your upper body to the right, keeping your hips and feet in place.
3. Hold for a few seconds.
4. Return to center.
5. Do the same movement to the left.

Foam roller stretches

What this helps: Foam rolling can help release muscle tension while improving flexibility and range of motion.

1. Focus on rolling out your hamstrings, buttocks, lower back and upper back to relieve tension.

Looking for more ways to strengthen your back? An orthopaedic clinical specialist suggests four exercises to build core muscles that can help protect your spine. Yoga poses can offer some real benefits, too.

Should you let someone else crack your back?

Only if they’re a professional, advises Dr. Bang. “Physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopathic physicians — they’re all trained on how to properly do manipulation in a way that’s safe for you,” he says.

What isn’t safe is letting a well-intentioned buddy jerk your spine until it cracks. Improper technique and exerting too much force and pressure can lead to herniated discs, muscle strains or even broken ribs.

“Injuries happen with high-speed directional changes,” says Dr. Bang. “You don’t want someone to bear hug you to the breaking point.”

Cracking your own back carries far less risk because you’re in control of the crack-a-lacking movement. Basically, you can feel your limits — which should prevent you from pushing to the point of injury.

“If you’re cracking your back once a day, it’s not a big deal,” says Dr. Bang. “But if it becomes more than that, take the time to understand why. Don’t just let it become a habit.”