CAN I ADJUST MYSELF? IS IT BAD TO "CRACK" YOUR BACK AND NECK A LOT?

The desire to “pop” the neck or back is caused by a feeling of irritation or muscle tension surrounding a joint. This irritation and
tension is usually most present where the spine is being asked to try to move beyond its normal limits. When one area of the spine
is jammed or moving too little, it causes the neighboring joints to have to compensate by moving too much. Too much movement
forces the ligaments around these joints to loosen, making the area easy to “pop” by one's own minimal self-effort. Thus, the
feeling of needing to pop a joint is usually present in areas of the spine which are already over-strained and shouldn't be adjusted!!

Some people form a habit of “adjusting” themselves many times a day. However, by adjusting these overly loose and irritated areas
of the spine, they are repeatedly treating the wrong joints. What must actually be treated are the stuck or jammed areas of the spine
which are adjacent to it. So, although someone may feel momentary relief from their tension after adjusting an irritated area of their
back or neck, etc., within a few minutes they feel like they need to adjust themselves again. A chiropractic doctor is trained to
locate and treat the appropriate joints of the spine--so as not to aggravate existing instabilities--in order to restore delicate balance
to the spine and nervous system. Often people with even long term habits of self-adjusting will find they no longer feel the urge
after proper chiropractic care has been received.