Is it safe to crane your neck?

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Having your neck 'cracked' at a chiropractor's office is a hotly debated topic. For many, it conjures up images of a liberating feeling and relief from tension and stress, while others find the sound exciting and may worry about possible risks. In this blog, we dive deeper into neck cracking and discuss what exactly it is, why it is done, the possible benefits of treatment and the safety of neck cracking.

What is 'neck cracking'?

'Neck cracking' is a chiropractic technique in which the chiropractor applies rapid, controlled force to the joints of the spine in the neck. This is often accompanied by an audible "snap" or "crackle" sound, which is why it is popularly known as 'neck cracking'. This sound is caused by the movement of gas between the joints. Although the term 'neck cracking' is quite imaginative, the term is actually incorrect when referring to the treatment applied by the chiropractor. After all, cracking the neck (i.e. purely producing the sound) is not that difficult at all, in fact: you can easily do this yourself! But having this cracking 'somewhere' in itself does not bring any health benefits. The chiropractor's specialisation lies in being able to feel exactly where a blockage in the spine is, and to apply force precisely at that spot to release the blockage. So this also involves a cracking sound, but this is a much more precise treatment than 'having your neck cracked'. The correct term for 'neck cracking' is therefore a 'chiropractic adjustment'. We will therefore use this term in the rest of this blog.

Cracking neck: why is this done?

Chiropractors perform the chiropractic adjustment out with the aim of improving movement and mobility of the neck. This results in less pain and tension and makes the neck feel 'looser'. In addition to neck pain relief, it can also result in fewer headaches or pain in other areas and provide a greater sense of overall relaxation.

At our chiropractic practice, The Family Chiropractor, we work with a holistic view. This means that we see the body as one big whole, and do not just focus on individual parts. So if you come to us with neck pain, we don't just look at your neck, but rather at your whole body, lifestyle and posture. Because everything in the body is interconnected, it could well be that the cause of your neck pain is not in your neck at all, but is due to an incorrect position of your shoulders or bad posture. Therefore, we never treat just the neck, but look at the whole body.

Want to know more about what exactly a chiropractor does? Then read this blog.

Safety

Because the sound of cracking the neck can be perceived as strange by some people, some people find it exciting to go to a chiropractor. However, the treatment is very safe and has only a minimal chance of additional risks. However, it is very important that you go to a qualified and registered chiropractor. If you live in the Netherlands, make sure your chiropractor is a member of the professional association DCF (Dutch Chiropractic Federation). This will ensure that you receive safe care by an experienced professional. Moreover, this is also a requirement to get your treatment to be reimbursed by health insurance.

Besides choosing a registered chiropractor, it is always very important to be open about your health history. A good chiropractor will conduct a thorough assessment based on the patient's medical history before the first treatment, in order to minimise possible risks. So do not leave out any information, even if you might be embarrassed or unsure whether the information is relevant or not. Remember that an open dialogue between you and your healthcare provider is the key to successful treatment.

Do you still find neck cracking too exciting? If you don't feel comfortable enough to have a chiropractic adjustment performed on your neck, most chiropractors also have options to use gentler techniques. Express it if you experience a lot of tension before the treatment, the chiropractor can help you with this. It is also always possible at our practice to schedule a free no-obligation introductory consultation, so you can ask all your questions beforehand and discuss any doubts.

Appointment booking

At The Family Chiropractor in Den Bosch, we work with specially tailored treatment plans, always putting you as an individual first and tailoring our care to your symptoms and needs. In our small-scale family practice, we offer care for all ages, from babies, pregnant women and athletes to the elderly or businessmen. Would you like to know more or are you curious if chiropractic care can help with your specific complaints? Then don't hesitate to contact us.

Our experienced chiropractors are ready to work together on your health and reduce your (pain) symptoms, so book an appointment or free introductory consultation today. See you at the practice!

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