“How do you crack your lower back like a chiropractor?”

I would advise against cracking your own back. A lot of the times, when one tries to do this they will get the popping sound to occur and they may even get temporary relief, however, it is not typically taking care of the problem. I would continue going in to see your chiropractor and getting your bones aligned properly. At times, the bone that is actually the problem or that may be causing pain is not the one moving when patients try moving things on their own at home. That segment is typically more stuck and the bones above and below it are the ones that move in that instant. Thus only creating temporary relief as the main problem is still there. Get in to see your chiropractor, they can give you stretches and exercises to help, too.

A chiropractic adjustment is a very specific. You can not replicate the specificity of the adjustment.

You don't. Doing that will make your joints unstable. Chiropractors are specialized in manipulating and adjustments.

You cannot reproduce a third person well-intentioned adjustment unless you exit your own body and somehow adjust yourself that way. There is no way to "adjust yourself" -- you can crank on your spine and manipulate it, making a bunch of cracking sounds. This is not recommended and not safe.

Respectfully,

Dr. Brandon Buttry

Well, you may not be able to adjust the back like a chiropractor.

You can't "crack" your back like a chiropractor. Chiropractors spend several years studying and training to be able to perfect and hone their technique skills in the art of performing the specific chiropractic adjustment, i.e., CMT chiropractic manipulative technique. A person that attempts to "crack" their own spine or have a friend do it is running a very high risk of injury, possibly permanent. Also, bones don't crack unless they are breaking. The sound heard from adjusting the spine is called an audible which is caused by the movement of the synovial fluid, the natural lubricant inside the joint. FYI: Don't use the term "crack my back" to a chiropractor. They find it offensive and derogatory. Especially since they have spent seven years in college and over $250,000.00 to obtain their degree and license. They are the only specialist in their field.

Yours in health,

Doc J

First of all, you have to get a Bachelor's Degree. Then, you can apply to a chiropractic college. Then you have to get through 10 trimesters of school (about 5 academic years, but you could complete it is as little as 3 years if you really apply yourself). You have to pass 4 to 6 national board examinations, apply for a licence in the state that you want to practice in, obtain malpractice insurance. After that, you should be good to go.

It is not possible to crack your own back with the specificity and safety like a Chiropractor can. However, you can improve the strength and flexibility of the spine on your own with core exercises, and stretches to the thoracic spine and legs.