Chiropractic manipulation is not just joint popping. In fact research has found that audible pop or not, the same benefits are experienced.
All the mechanism of how a chiropractic adjustment works is not yet completely understood. What is understood and proofed is that it does work.
Here are some of the known things that can begin to explain why manipulation works.
1. The Proprioceptive stimulation of a chiropractic adjustment triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the “feel good” hormones the body produces naturally. These endorphins cause a near instant and temporary relief similar to pain medication making you less aware of the problem. This in turn can cause a secondary more sustained benefit, that of relaxing local tissues such as muscle trigger points and tight ligaments that causes pain.
2. Chiropractic adjustments improve nutrient supply within the joint. The cartilage and other structures inside of a joint have no blood supply, but get their nutrients through movement. The blood supply goes to the outside of the joint and the nutrients move into the synovial fluid of the joint. Joint movement moves this fluid around consequently providing fresh nutrients to all parts of the joint, as well as removing waste. If a joint becomes restricted or locked down by muscle spasm, scar tissue, a cast, or any other means, for a prolonged period of time the joint begins to feel stiff. Similar to the feeling the need to stretch after sitting for too long.
The facet joints in your spine are especially susceptible to this problem because they work in tandem and because of the body’s amazing ability to compensate. This means your facet joints all work together, if one is injured it can become restricted/locked down to prevent further injury. When this happens you may get the desire to stretch or move your back. This usually works, but if all of the other joints compensate for the problem joint and take that added stress of movement on themselves then the problem joint stays restricted/locked down. Specific manipulation induces full range of motion and improves synovial fluid movement.
3. Manipulation can reduce pressure on the nerves. Your nervous system is the control center of your body, and it is not without weaknesses. Nerves and nerve bundles are soft tissue. They don’t function well under physical pressure caused by inflammation, a bulging disc, or fragment floating around and this can interfere with proper nerve conduction. The restricted/stuck joint as discussed previously can also physically be stuck pressing on a nerve, or could be causing inflammation that is pressing on the nerve, or could just be moving in a way that rubs the nerve. Chiropractic adjustments can cause a relief of this pressure, through restoring movement of the joint to the correct position or motion and this result in better nerve conduction.