What is bone cracking?

Osteopathic treatment includes many different treatment techniques and one of these is spinal/joint manipulation. The high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) manipulation is a commonly used technique to help treat neck pain, back pain as well as upper and lower extremity joint conditions.

When the therapist preforms the HVLA manipulation a force is applied through the symptomatic/affected joint and often a sound is heard. Many people refer to this as the “crack” but this sound is known as a cavitation. The joints of the spine produce a fluid that helps lubricate the joints articulating surface and it is this fluid that produces gases within the joint capsule. When the force is applied through the joint these gasses escape thus resulting is a popping sound being heard.

Manipulation is a safe and effected treatment when performed by a professional manual therapist, however there are are risks and contraindications associated to the treatment. Your Osteopath will be able to screen you and indicated whether the manipulation is appropriate for you. Research has shown that spinal manipulation can help by improving joint range of motion as well and reducing pain.