


This quick change of state is called boiling or cavitation.Īn alternative explanation also involves gas. When the pressure is released, synovial fluid becomes gaseous and makes the cracking, popping, or snapping sound.Stretching these capsules allows the synovial fluid inside them to have more space to move around, releasing pressure on your back joints and muscles and moving your facet joints.Cracking your back stretches squishy capsules on the outer edges of the vertebrae around joints called facet joints.Here’s one process that many experts think is occurring: The most popular theories propose that adjusting a joint releases gas - no, not that kind of gas. What’s happening when your back “cracks”? Theory #1: Synovial fluid and pressure Now that you have a good working knowledge of the spine, let’s move on to what’s happening when you adjust your back. This provides a cushion between the vertebrae so they don’t hit or scrape each other. These discs are filled with a jelly-like fluid called nucleus pulposus. Each vertebra is divided from the next by soft spinal discs. Each vertebra can move independently of each other, allowing your back to be flexible.

Spinal column: Also called the vertebral column, the spinal column is made up of 33 vertically stacked pieces of bone called vertebrae, running from just below your skull to the tailbone ( coccyx).They contain a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which serves many other functions. Meninges: These are membranes around the spinal cord and brain that absorb impact to the spine.Spinal cord: The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves that connects your brain to the nerves throughout your body.The spine consists of several major components: Before we dive into how back cracking works, let’s talk a little bit about the anatomy of your spine.
