Spinal Manipulations

You’ve probably seen it: someone gets their neck or back “cracked” and walks away claiming they feel ten years younger. That audible pop? It’s not magic, it’s called a spinal manipulation.

As a physical therapist who works with active adults, I often get asked: “Should I be getting adjusted or having my back cracked?” The answer depends — and it starts with understanding what spinal manipulation actually does (and doesn’t do).

What Is a Spinal Manipulation?

Spinal manipulation is a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust applied to a specific joint — often in the spine — to improve mobility and decrease pain.

What makes it effective isn’t the sound. The popping or cracking you hear is just gas being released from the joint — just like cracking your knuckles. Some joints make noise, some don’t. Either way, the benefit comes from the quick stretch to the surrounding tissues and receptors, not the pop itself.

What It Doesn’t Do

Let’s bust a myth:
You’re not “putting a joint back in place.”
Nothing is getting realigned.
Your spine isn’t “out of place” to begin with.

The idea that something is “off” and needs to be snapped back into place is outdated and misleading. What’s actually happening is a short-term change in how your brain perceives that area — reduced threat, less guarding, and a temporary pain relief window.

Why Would We Use It?

Spinal manipulations can be effective when:

• You have recent onset pain in the neck, mid-back, or low back.

• There’s stiffness or restriction in a specific area of your spine.

• You’re in enough discomfort that rehab exercises are difficult to tolerate.

• You need a fast, safe way to restore confidence in movement.

This technique helps “open a window” by calming the nervous system and temporarily reducing pain or tension. But it’s exactly that — a window.

What Comes Next Is What Matters Most

That short-term relief? It’s a chance.
A chance to move better, build control, and address the root cause through:

• Corrective exercise

• Strengthening and motor control

• Movement retraining

Manipulation alone won’t create long-term change — but when used strategically, it can help you tolerate the movements and loads needed to truly rehab and return to training.

When I Use Spinal Manipulations

As a PT who works with runners, CrossFitters, and active adults in Ventura and Santa Barbara, I use spinal manipulations when:

• It’s clinically indicated (based on your exam and goals),

• It’s safe for your body,

• And it helps you make progress, not just feel better for a few minutes.

It’s never the main event — it’s one supportive tool in a much bigger plan.

TL;DR:
Spinal manipulation isn’t magic. It’s not fixing alignment. And it’s not the pop that matters — it’s the strategic use of movement and rehab that leads to lasting change.

Still not sure if a manipulation is right for you?
Let’s figure it out. I offer individualized evaluations that help you understand your pain, use the right tools at the right time, and get back to doing what you love — without chasing cracks.