If you’ve ever had a chiropractic adjustment — or are thinking about having one — the clicking or popping sound is probably something you’ve wondered about. It can be surprising the first time you hear it, and understandably some people find it a little unsettling. The good news is that it’s completely harmless, well understood and actually a sign that something good is happening.

The clicking or popping sound during a chiropractic adjustment is caused by a phenomenon called cavitation. Here’s what’s actually happening:

Your joints are surrounded by a capsule filled with synovial fluid — a lubricating liquid that keeps the joint moving smoothly. This fluid contains dissolved gases, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

When a chiropractic adjustment is applied, the joint space is briefly stretched. This causes a rapid drop in pressure inside the joint capsule, which allows the dissolved gases to form a bubble — and when that bubble forms or collapses, it produces the characteristic popping sound.

It’s the same mechanism behind cracking your knuckles — just happening in your spinal or extremity joints instead.

No — the sound is completely harmless. Despite what you might have heard, there is no evidence that the clicking sound causes joint damage or increases the risk of arthritis. The idea that cracking joints is bad for you is a persistent myth with no scientific support.

The gas that causes the sound is simply reabsorbed by the joint fluid over the following 20-30 minutes, which is why the same joint can’t usually be adjusted again immediately — the gas needs time to dissolve back into solution.

Not necessarily — and this is an important point. The audible pop is a by product of the adjustment, not the goal of it. A chiropractic adjustment is about restoring normal movement to a restricted joint. Whether or not it makes a sound doesn’t determine whether it was effective.

Some adjustments produce a loud pop, some produce a quiet click, and some produce no sound at all — all can be equally effective. Chris never chases the sound or repeats an adjustment just to produce a pop.

That’s completely fine. At Chiro Pro there’s always an alternative. Instrument assisted adjusting uses a small handheld device to deliver a precise, low-force impulse to the joint — effective, comfortable, and produces no audible sound at all. Joint mobilisation is another option that uses slow, gentle movements rather than a thrust.

If you’re nervous about the sound or simply prefer a gentler approach, just let Chris know at your appointment. There’s no pressure and treatment is always tailored to your comfort level.

Whether you’ve had chiropractic care before or you’re considering it for the first time, we’d love to help. Book online today for your initial assessment with Dr. Chris Metcalfe at Chiro Pro in Umina Beach.

Learn more about the chiropractic adjustment techniques used at Chiro Pro, including diversified and instrument assisted adjusting. If the sound puts you off, instrument assisted adjusting is a great alternative.