tiktok tuesday: the back cracking challenge

the latest viral trend on tiktok has users cracking each other’s backs, filling the platform with the audible popping of teenagers’ spines.the popularity — and pitfalls — of joint cracking is nothing new — a chat board post from 2001 asks for recommendations on the best way to crack one’s back, and a 1996 article in the seattle times tells of a man who inflicted an (arterial) tear after cracking his neck.the trend currently making the rounds was initially posted by @megumi.iwama, a dancer whose bio says she “cracks backs for fun.” in the video, iwama’s friend kneels on the ground and puts his arms behind his head, while iwama stands behind him and links her arms through his. she then pulls his arm backwards while pushing forwards with the rest of her body until the camera picks up an audible cracking sound. the video has been shared more than 101,000 times and the hashtag #backcrackchallenge has more than 88 million views on the platform.not surprisingly, it’s a viral challenge that has chiropractors cringing.“when you adjust yourself, you actually are unable to adjust the specific tight joints that actually need it,” dr. michael vanderschelden, a u.s. chiropractor, told buzzfeed news. “what you are doing instead is moving the segments above and below the tight joint. therefore, you end up with joints in your spine that are unstable, and the joints that are still tight remain tight. this is why, when you adjust yourself, usually it gives you no lasting relief, as people usually try to do it again and again multiple times a day.”he also commented on some of the risks. “an unstable spine from multiple self-adjustments will result in instability and make you prone to early degeneration and arthritis.”the satisfying ‘popping’ sound that we hear when we crack any joint — knuckles, knees, back — is typically attributed to one of two causes, according to leonard calabrese, a doctor of osteopathic medicine with the cleveland clinic. the first cause is the release of air bubbles in fluid that lubricates your joints. the second is the sound of taut ligaments as they slide off a bony surface — which creates a snapping sound.is cracking bad for you?
there seems to be some disagreement as to whether purposely cracking your joints is harmful in the long run. an article published in the western journal of medicine compared test results of 28 elderly volunteers who self-reported cracking their knuckles over their lifetime. the authors found no correlation between knuckle cracking and a higher rate of injury or arthritis, noting that “the chief morbid consequence of knuckle cracking would appear to be its annoying effect on the observer.”the same may be said for cracking one’s back, however — especially considering the extra weight the spine bears daily. and while calabrese writes that the popping sound is harmless, both he and vanderschelden, recommend that people stay away from purposely cracking their joints.if individuals feel tight, the better bet is to engage in gentle stretching several times a day, or to visit a doctor for targeted relief, according to healthline. ergonomic desks and proper posture can also help with tension in the upper back and neck.have a tiktok challenge you think we should be talking about? let us know at info@healthing.ca.