What exactly happens when a chiropractor cracks my neck?
487951
the actual popping sound heard is pockets of carbon dioxide that have accumulated in b/w the vertebrea.  The purpose of the adjustment is to remove nerve interference so that the body can function at its optimum potential. When this interference is removed the nervous system is free and clear and the patient's ability to live in a state of optimum health increases dramatically. Dr's of Chiropractic are experts in identifying a problem with a patient's nervous system and correcting the subluxation. They do not use medications because their philosophy revolves arounf the theory that the power that made the body can also heal the body.
807590
By the time you get the scalp tingling, you have a pretty chronic condition present.. Any bumps you have had to the head causes micro-trauma to the neck... the result is the chronic inflammatory condition that is generally sub acute.. When there is any stress to the body (or emotionally) it can trigger that sub-acute stage into the acute.. To determine the actuality of what I am saying, turn your head from one side to the other and see which side has restricted motion. There is unequal muscle tension in the neck which is subject to irritation by movement. It involve several of the cranial nerves, as you outlined in your description. You may also check for tenderness to pain by pressing at the base of the skull. All indicators of an active inflammatory process .\n\nYou may find much relief by visiting your doctor of Chiropractic.. These are routine problems they deal with daily.. even after patients have tried everything else.
233949
Yes, see a doctor or a chiropractor.  Numbness is often a sign of nerve problems, and problems with your neck can bother the nerves.
691437
You probably got whiplash.\n\nThis usually happens in car accidents, but it's a result of a sudden shock to the spine or neck.\n\nYou could try seeing a chiropractor, who can help you realign the vertebrae in your spine.
454772
This could be caused from tension, and when your muscles relax, where the spinal column meets the back of the head it will crack and pop.  kinda like cracking the nuckles?
89343
A pinched nerve in my neck caused mine.  My chiropractor helped me.
940027
Chiropractic adjustments are one of the safest forms of healthcare.  However, like all 'interventions' there is some risk.  \n\nThe most common 'risk' is a few days of soreness as the body/muscles adjust to the change in function.  A rare risk is the possibility of 'separating a rib' (known as a costo-chondral separation).  This is painful (like a broken rib) for about 3 to 6 weeks, but normally heals on its own without any long-term complications.\n\nAn extremely rare risk is damage to the vertebral arteries in the neck.  This can result in a stroke-like syndrome.  This condition is so rare that numerous studies in the early 1990s were unable to determine how often it actually occurs (scientifically known as 'incidence').  More people are killed by lightening strikes in the U.S. each year than are injured by this very rare event.\n\nFor comparison, it has been reported in the scientific literature that common pain killers like Advil and Motrin KILL at least 16,500 Americans every year (and the number may be as high as 30,000).  The Journal of the American Medical Association just reported last week that serious side-effects from prescription drugs cause over 700,000 emergency room visits every year.  So, by any comparative standard, Chiropractic spinal adjusting is very, very safe.\n\nBest wishes.  Hope this is helpful for you.  I am a retired Chiropractor.
754020
different people respond to treatments in different ways.\n\nsome (like me) feel no different and others might feel worse after treatment, it varies from person to person.\n\njust make sure you're going to a certified chiropractor! both my parents are chiropractors so I've never had to think about that problem haha\n\n(also... for future reference, it's not your bones that are cracking in your neck, its the air in the joints that makes the sound!)
930015
Go see a chiropractor quickly. He/she will evaluate you by X-ray and physical exam. You will then be started on whatever therapy is beneficial to you. I went through something similar after an accident. It helped me.
738692
I am a chiropractor and it truely is an amazing profession.  I have two small children and I'm just starting to build  my practice.  My patient's results have been amazing.  \n   Last week I adjusted a friend of mine who had Carpel Tunnel Syndrome for over a year.   She called me hours after her adjustment and said that her pain was gone.  She actually cried tears of joy.    All of my patients so far have had good experiences some better than others.\n   There are many different techniques that chiropractors practice.  I only use the activator method.  We use a very specific analysis and adjust the neccessary areas using a small handheld tool.  It's very gentle but it gets the job done.  I don't have to crack, twist or pop.  To find an activator doctor in your area go to www.activator.com.  You can also learn more about the technique there as well.  \n   By the way,  I have never hurt anyone using the activator.  It was designed using the principles of physics.  The activator is so fast that it requires less force.  \n   Hope this helps.  Good luck
60810
A chiropractor fixed mine. Setting down makes it worse, so avoid this. Use a lumbar pad to relieve the pressure on your back. This was about twenty years ago. Still good.
274396
yes, as long as the Osteopath is trained, licensed & certified.\nI broke my back in 3 places d/t an automobile accident. My chiropractor would not even touch me without x-rays to see what was going on inside.\nYou may want to consider this, too; taking some x-rays. Just a safety precaution.
714561
i am a chiropractor and specialize in spine related injuries. the disc acts as both a cushion and a spacer between each vertebrae. if a disc is bulging/herniated, that bulge can put pressure on the nerves exiting between each vertebra which causes a "pinched nerve." also if the disc is wearing out (getting thinner) you lose the space between the vertebra, which leaves less room for those nerves to exit--and again can pinch a nerve. the nerves in your cervical spine (neck) go all the way down your arm while the nerves in your lumbar spine (low back) form the sciatic nerve which runs all the way down your leg. if any of these are "pinched" they can cause pain, numbess, tingling, weakness wherever these nerves go (down arms/legs).\n\nas a chiropractor i see this type of scenario on a daily basis. for those who have degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, disc bulging, etc.--normal chiropractic care can usually help with those problems. but there are also many people out there that have had this problem for many years and can't find relief with anything they try--including chiropractic. \n\nbut now there is a treatment that is perfect for your situation and the best part is: it's non-surgical and non-invasive. if you haven't heard of it yet it is called spinal decompression. this type of treatment focuses on disc injuries and the problems they cause. i use the DRX9000 spinal decompression system in my office and it works wonders for people with these types of injuries (approx. 90% successful). the DRX9000 is fda approved and is the best decompression system available (there are cheap knock-offs that don't give the same results). \n\nmy recommendation would be to see a chiro, especially if you've never tried it before-just to see what they have to say. also do some research on this treatment and then contact someone (usually a chiro) who uses it in their office. i would just google "DRX9000" to find info on it and doctors in your area who may have it. this treament is able to encourage the disc to go back to it's normal orientation and also rebuild its height--which then takes the pressure off whatever nerve it is compressing. pain meds, cortisone shots, epidurals won't do anything to solve the problem--all they do is cover it up and they become less and less effective over time. surgery AT BEST is 50% successful and usually doesn't solve the problem since most people need another surgery 5-10 years down the road for the same issue. it's typically a viscious cycle. remember: surgery is always an option, so try something prior to surgery to see if you can avoid it--cause once you do the surgery there is no going back.\n\nthis treatment is extremely effective for degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, herniation, etc. and also sciatica type of cases, especially if you haven't had surgery yet. i've had many patients who were scheduled for surgery, tried this treatment as a last resort, and then ended up cancelling their surgery altogether after treatment was completed. it really does work and that's what my recommendation would be for you. good luck and hopefully this gives insight to others experiencing similar problems--there is a solution!!!
716542
As a student of chiropractic i can tell you that is a very bad thing to do. I know its tempting. The very first day of school i was in my CNS class and i did that to my neck. My teacher stopped what he was doing and told me how bad that was. tell him he is only hurting himself my doing that. that is pretty annoying.
798953
I have been to many many chiropractors and unfortunately had some that really screwed me up.  I had one dislocate three of my ribs and they are still dislocated.  They'll never go back.  I went to a physical therapist after that, and even though it does take longer, I don't have the back pain like I did.  I used to be fine for a few months and then have to go back to the chiropractor for a few months and on and on.  After 6 months with physical therapy I've been good for 5 years.  If my back starts hurting I just start doing the exercises that they taught me and I'll be ok again.  Some chiropractors are wonderful and do a great job, but physical therapy worked much better for me.  If you can't decide between them, try both.
367480
A Chiropractor does wonders,your neck it probably out and it will and can pinch a nerve,you need to go see one you will feel better,meds don't fix the pain because it will always come back.All they want is your money for making you feel like crap.
1012541
be CAREFUL!!!  If you do it wrong you could screw yourself up for life.  That is why chiropractors go to school as long as they do and why they carry so much insurance, and get you to sign waivers.