Quite often, sitting up at work in an office chair or at home in front of a computer, a person has a desire to stretch, move a little in place to stretch stiff muscles. Turning the back or neck from side to side can respond with a characteristic crunch, clicks, which usually no one pays attention to.
Indeed, such sounds in most cases do not indicate the presence of any pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. However, such body signals should not always be ignored. It is better to ask yourself: “Why is my back crunching?” Because sometimes clicks can be one of the symptoms of the disease.
Determining the nature of crunch
The nature of the crunch is not yet fully known to doctors, at the moment there are several theories explaining where this sound comes from. One of them, which doctors most often refer to, assures that the whole thing is in the synovial fluid. This substance ensures the mobility of the heads of bones in the articular bag that articulate with each other, but, like in any other liquid, gases in the form of bubbles can accumulate in it. Thesebubbles under a certain pressure, which is created through body movements, burst, thereby creating a characteristic crackling sound.
Another theory, in a physical sense, is similar to the one already mentioned. Its essence lies in the fact that during movement, when the heads of the bones are pulled away from each other for a certain distance, gas areas appear in the joints, due to an increase in the intra-articular space. When the space is again reduced to standard values, these gas cavities disappear, which generates vibration passing through the surrounding tissues and creating a vacuum pop.
When can you crack your back?
Crunch is considered absolutely normal if it is not accompanied by discomfort, discomfort, including burning and pain. So, for example, during morning exercises or warm-ups before training, it is quite possible to hear a crunch, and this is not a pathology. However, the opposite picture emerges when unhe althy stiffness results in a crunch that hurts.
At work or at school, sitting too long in one place, when turning in different directions, when moving the head in order to slightly relax hardened muscles, the neck and back can crackle. The movement of stiff joints will certainly be reflected in characteristic clicks, which disappear as the stiff parts of the body are developed.
Useful exercises for the spine
If a person is lucky enough to have a he althy musculoskeletal system that does not burst into pain whenslopes, turns and any physical work, then from time to time it will still be useful for him to carry out special exercises for the back. In this case, physical education with elements of yoga helps a lot, the postures and stances of which make the back crunch, which inserts the vertebrae back into the correct position.
Stretching exercises are best done at home, but some can be done at the workplace. To perform stretching, you need a chair or armchair. Sitting in it, with a straight back, take the left edge of the seat with your right hand. Then, with caution, slowly turn the body to the left side, the hips and legs do not move at this time. Do the same movements on the other side. Turns should be smooth and done until stagnant muscles are stretched or until the back begins to crackle.
Another effective exercise to relieve tension in the back muscles should be done lying on a hard surface, face up, after laying a rug on the floor. The right leg rises above the level of the body and bends at the knee, the foot drops to the level of the thigh. The raised leg should be turned to the left side, trying to get the knee to the floor. Hands at this time are pressed to the surface on which the exercise is performed.
Perform the same manipulations with the left leg. During stretching, a person’s back may crackle, which is due to the nature of the structure of the vertebrae. This is considered normal, but if pain or any discomfort is felt, then the exercise should be stopped.
Crunch likeproblem indicator
The phenomenon of cracking joints is not always harmless and is not accompanied by anything. Often it indicates the development of serious diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which over time can even limit mobility. However, problems of this kind do not manifest themselves exclusively through a crunch. It may also be the sound of a creak during movements, due to the depletion of the synovial fluid in the joint bag. This is eventually expressed through severe pain, local swelling, and sometimes even through an increase in body temperature.
If the crunch begins to appear regularly and in the same place, and if it is accompanied by other symptoms, then there is a serious reason to seek qualified medical help. Moreover, an appeal to a therapist is mandatory if the back joints crackle with severe limitation of their mobility.
Osteochondrosis is the cause of all troubles
Sedentary lifestyle, overweight, flat feet, poor posture, malnutrition and many other phenomena that are characteristic of a person of the 21st century, lead to degenerative changes in the joints. Also, these factors negatively affect the work of the back muscles, the feet are deformed. As a result of developing dystrophy of muscles and joints, a disease such as osteochondrosis appears, most often affecting the intervertebral discs. Over time, they decrease in volume, which reduces the distance between the vertebrae. Their friction against each other causes severe pain and restricts movement.
Osteochondrosis is dangerous because its progression leads to more serious diseases, such as: hernia, protrusion, sciatica. However, if you consult a doctor in time, and do not endure pain and spasms in all parts of the body, then getting rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis is quite realistic. Diagnosis of this disease and treatment is carried out quickly and without much difficulty. Therapeutic massage and physiotherapy, combined with medication, allow you to temporarily forget about the presence of the disease. A method such as stretching the spine, for example, helps if the back crunches in the area of the shoulder blades.
Protrusion and hernia
In relation to the complications of osteochondrosis in the form of a hernia and protrusion, things are more serious. Protrusion, as a stage immediately before the hernia, is characterized by compression of the fibrous ring, which is the sheath of the intervertebral disc. The nucleus pulposus, which, in turn, is the filler of the disc, presses on the ring, causing it to completely rupture at one moment. Protrusion is difficult to diagnose, as it rarely gives itself away as pain or crunch.
Rupture of the fibrous ring due to illness or excessive physical activity leads to the pouring of the nucleus into the spinal space, a hernia is formed. As a result, the intervertebral discs are displaced from their natural places, nerves are pinched, which can lead to paralysis of the limbs, and the overall mobility of the body is noticeably reduced. Hernia is mostly treated with surgery.
Which doctor should I contact?
The first doctor to visit is a general practitioner. Having studied the picture of the disease, he makes a decision and sends the patient to a specialist who will cope with the he alth problem as effectively as possible. This may be a vertebrologist who specializes specifically in diseases of the cervical and lumbar spine.
However, most often a therapist refers a person to a neurologist, since every hospital has such a doctor, which cannot be said about vertebrologists. He has sufficient knowledge for treatment, besides, he can prescribe drugs to reduce joint pain and give a referral for therapeutic massage.
The back does not always crunch due to the depletion of the joints. It could be an internal problem. For example, back pain can be caused by kidney problems. In this case, the patient is referred to a nephrologist or urologist, depending on the severity of the disease. Back pain, specifically in the back of the chest, can be caused by a pathology of the heart or lungs. Then a cardiologist or pulmonologist can help a person.
Diagnosis and complex treatment
As a diagnostic, examinations such as ultrasound, computed tomography and MRI are mandatory. The latter is the most effective in terms of information regarding problems with the vertebrae. It is on the basis of the data obtained with the help of MRI that the doctor builds a plan for future treatment. Also, in addition to research and tomography, you need to take blood and urine tests.
Whatwith regards to treatment, it differs depending on the specific disease, but there are certain basic methods for treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system. If the back crunches when turning or bending, then the patient can be helped by physical therapy and physiotherapy. If you are concerned about muscle pain and tightness, then the doctor may prescribe a therapeutic massage. Also, pain and inflammation in the joints is relieved by drug treatment through painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
General conclusion
The back is a rather problematic area of the body. A sedentary lifestyle and excessive physical activity, improper food and ecology can lead to various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. One of the warning signs of a problem is crunching.
In fact, the crunch itself is not dangerous, so the question: "Is it possible to crunch your back?", Without a doubt, you can answer positively. However, it must be understood that if the crunch is complemented by such negative symptoms as pain, discomfort and limited mobility, then you should immediately seek medical help.
