Expectations of Chiropractic Treatment: Study says sound of "Snap, Crack and Pop" Doesn't Necessarily Mean You've Had a Good Chiropractic Adjustment

Patients often think that just because they hear a "pop" or cracking sound, that this means their chiropractic adjustment has been successful.  The study synopsis below indicates this isn't the case.

• A study by Peter J. Miller and Alessandra S. Poggettia, Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, 13-15 Parkwood Road, Bournemouth BH5 2DF, United Kingdom, published February 2011.

It has been demonstrated that the ‘audible release’ is not necessarily an indicator of a successful chiropractic adjustment. However, it seems widely believed that patients attribute a therapeutic value to the cracking noise. The objective of this study is to understand the patient opinion on the mechanism and perceived therapeutic value of joint cavitation, and associated audible release.

Design
A qualitative semi-structured interview study.

Setting
Interviews were carried out on a one to one basis at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC).

SubjectsEight patients were recruited from the AECC clinic reception. Patients were invited to participate in the study if they had been suffering from a long-standing problem treated with manipulative chiropractic care and had attended the AECC clinic for a minimum of 4 months. Students from the AECC were excluded.

Methods
Signed informed consent was gained. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The eight transcripts were then analysed through a process of thematic analysis.

Results
Patients perceived the audible release as resulting from bones being moved, or the sound to a release of gas bubbles from the joint space. Patients showed a divergence of opinion as to whether the audible release guaranteed a successful adjustment.

Conclusion
Patients do not need to have a deep understanding of the mechanisms for the sound they hear. The majority of the patients associate the crack with a physical feeling of release; therefore they assume that the sound is proof of a well-achieved adjustment. Nevertheless, patients do not discard the therapeutic benefit of an adjustment that did not achieve the audible release. This appears to be due to their past experiences and their trust in the chiropractor.

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Broward County Chiropractor Dr. Troy Lomasky heads Coast Chiropractic of Wilton Manors, Florida. A graduate of the famed New York Chiropractic College, he specializes in quickly treating pain from a variety of conditions. Services include: Consultation, X-ray, spinal adjustments & massage therapy, physiotherapy, spinal decompression for disc problems; spinal and muscular rehabilitation. New patients & same-day appointments available. (954) 463-3036 or www.chiropractorwiltonmanors.com. On-call for emergencies 24 hours. Serving Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.