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In this episode, Dr. Eric Chludzinski of Fanwood Back Relief Center tackles one of the most common questions he gets from patients, family, and even strangers at the grocery store: is cracking your joints actually bad for you?
Dr. Chludzinski explains the science behind what causes that familiar popping sound, separating long-standing myths from what the research actually shows about joint health and safety.
He also walks listeners through how professional chiropractic adjustments differ from self-cracking, and how treatments like Arthrostim Adjusting and Impulse Adjusting offer precise, controlled care for lasting relief.
Whether you’re a longtime chiropractic patient or just curious about what happens during an adjustment, this episode gives you the honest, straightforward answers you’ve been looking for.
Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Eric Kluh-DIN-ski, and you’re listening to the Fanwood Back Relief Center podcast. Whether you’re joining us from Fanwood, Flemington, or anywhere in between, I’m really glad you’re here today.
So let’s talk about something I get asked about constantly. And I mean constantly. Patients ask me about it in the exam room, people ask me at the grocery store, I even get texts from family members about it. The question is this… is cracking your joints bad for you? And what exactly happens when a chiropractor makes that popping sound during an adjustment?
Today we’re going to set the record straight. Because there is a lot of misinformation floating around out there, and I want you to leave this episode feeling informed and confident.
Alright, let’s start with the big myth. A lot of people grew up hearing that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. Maybe your mom told you that, maybe a teacher did. Here’s the truth though. That claim has been looked at pretty thoroughly over the years, and the evidence just does not support it. Cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis. That’s not me just saying it to make you feel better. That’s just where the science lands.
Now, so what is that sound? Here’s what’s actually happening. Your joints are surrounded by a capsule filled with fluid. That fluid contains dissolved gases, things like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When you stretch or manipulate a joint and create a little bit of space in that capsule, those gases rapidly form a bubble and then that bubble collapses. That release is what creates the pop. It’s called cavitation. And it’s a completely natural, mechanical event. Nothing is breaking. Nothing is tearing. Your bones are not grinding against each other. It’s just gas moving around in fluid.
Now here’s where chiropractic adjustments come into the picture, and this is the part I really want you to understand. When I perform a manual adjustment in my office, whether that’s in Fanwood or over at our Flemington location, I am not just randomly popping joints for the fun of it. There is a specific clinical purpose behind every single adjustment.
What we’re doing is applying a precise, controlled force to a joint that isn’t moving the way it should. When a joint gets stuck or restricted, it can affect the surrounding muscles, it can irritate the nerves nearby, and it can throw off the mechanics of your whole spine. The adjustment restores proper motion to that joint. And yes, sometimes there’s a pop, and sometimes there isn’t. The sound itself is not the goal. The improved movement and function is the goal.
A lot of patients come in thinking the louder the crack, the better the adjustment. I completely understand why people think that. But honestly, a quiet adjustment can be just as effective as a loud one. What matters is whether the right joint is being addressed with the right amount of force in the right direction.
Now, is it safe? Yes. Chiropractic adjustments, when performed by a licensed and trained chiropractor, are widely considered to be very safe. Especially for the kinds of musculoskeletal issues we see every single day, things like neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, and joint stiffness.
So here’s what I’d encourage you to do. If you’ve been nervous about getting adjusted because of that popping sound, I hope this gives you a little peace of mind. And if you’ve been cracking your own joints, don’t panic. You’re probably fine. That said, if you’re dealing with persistent pain or stiffness, self-cracking is not the same as a professional chiropractic adjustment. It might feel good for a moment, but it’s not targeted, and it’s not addressing the underlying mechanical issue.
That’s where we come in. If you’re in the Fanwood or Flemington area and you’ve been putting off getting evaluated, I’d love to see you. Give us a call, stop by, or check us out online. Our team at Fanwood Back Relief Center is here to help you move better and feel better.
Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I appreciate you tuning in, and I’ll see you next time.
