There are several different kinds of joints in your body. Anywhere two bones come together the connection is considered a joint. Some joints hold the bones stiffly together. The best example might be the connection between the pubic bones in the front of the pelvis. Others allow a little motion like the attachment of the ribs to the sternum. The ribs have to move a little with each breath but still maintain a solid cage around the heart and lungs. Other joints in the body have to move quite a bit like the shoulders and fingers. The joints that move a lot are called synovial joints. The ends of the bones that come together in a synovial joint are covered with very smooth cartilage. The joint is held together by a fibrous sack called the joint capsule. Inside the joint capsule is a lubricating fluid, called synovial fluid, that lubricates the cartilage and helps it glide very freely so that the joint moves with almost no friction.
The spine actually has several kinds of joints in it. The disc which separates the vertebra from the bones above and below it, is one of the kind of joints that allows a little movement. But there are other joints in the spine, sometimes called facets, that are synovial type joints. They combine with the discs to connect each vertebra to the one next to it. They are capable of the motion that allows you to bend and twist your spine.
It is these synovial joints that are associated with the "cracking" sound that is commonly associated with chiropractic adjustments. If you have ever "cracked" your knuckles you have done the same thing. When the joint is moved far enough the two pieces of cartilage will separate slightly creating a vacuum between them. When synovial fluid rushes in to fill the vacuum you hear a popping noise. Just like pulling a suction cup off of a window.
Chiropractors do this because it helps improve the ability of the spine to move normally. It helps to lubricate the joints of the spine and prevent premature arthritis of the spine. It allows better movement of nutrients into the disc helping to slow down the degenerative processes of the disc. It can help reduce pressure and irritation on pinched nerves in the neck and back. And, just like cracking your knuckles, it feels good to have the joints loosened up.
Any synovial joint in the body may be helped by chiropractic manipulation. Most people think only of the spine when they think about chiropractors but most chiropractors have been trained to work with other joints like ankles and knees, wrists and elbows too.
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