Snap, crack and pop. That's the common association people make when you mention chiropractic treatments. But more than 'cracking' the spine, chiropractic type of hands-on therapy that believes adjustments to the bones in the spine and other parts of the body can improve health issues.

The theory is that the spine protects the spinal cord - the nerve centre of the body in which millions of nerves reside. These nerves serve almost all the functions of the body – from the way organs work to our movements and muscles. In chiropractic, a misalignment or injury of the spine (vertebral subluxation) can not only bring about pain, discomfort or limit movement, but also affect these nerves, and thus other parts of the body and its organs.

Chiropractic treatments focus on correcting the spinal structure to enhance the health of your nervous system through a series of adjustments to the joints and bones in the spine. It may involve twisting, pulling, or pushing movements. In some cases, heat, electrical stimulation or ultrasound may be used to relax muscles prior to doing a spinal adjustment.

The popping or cracking sound you hear during an adjustment is not your bones, but the sound of gases in between the joints being released. In the body where our joints meet is a pocket of fluid called the synovial fluid that lubricates the joints and prevents them from rubbing against each other. This fluid contains gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. When the joints are moved quickly (such as during an adjustment or when you crack your knuckles), the gases are released rapidly, resulting in a popping, cracking or snapping sound. This relieves some of the pressure in the joints and increase mobility of the surrounding muscles.

Research has shown chiropractic therapy is effective in treating a range of musculoskeletal problems. More research is needed to determine if chiropractic treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure or asthma is effective

Chiropractic adjustments can help in these problems: