The short answer is no. A chiropractor can do a chiropractic adjustment without cracking. “Cracking” your neck involves taking a joint to it’s current end range of motion then delivering a quick short thrust. This manual manipulation is one very effective way to get your neck joints moving, but there are others. A technique that is ideal for one person may not be the best for someone else. A chiropractor should have many methods to work with the neck as well as the rest of the spine.
There are eight nerves that branch out from the spinal cord in your neck that can also affect your head, shoulders, arms and hands — so it’s a very important area. A lot of people simply don’t like the manual popping of the neck. Others should not have it for specific health reasons. Either way, if you would like a chiropractic adjustment without cracking, your chiropractor should be able to provide that.
What is SOT?
Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) is a specialized, comprehensive, and innovative technique of Chiropractic founded in 1925 by Dr. De Jarnette. It’s named SOT because of the relationship between the sacrum (base of the spine) and the occiput (base of the skull). It promotes the optimal innate healing mechanics for the neck, spine, pelvis, cranium, nervous system, brain and muscles.
Stair stepping
Stair stepping is part of the SOT technique. Instead of cracking your neck, the head and neck are moved in a serpentine pattern to mobilize the joints from the base of your neck to up adjusting without cracking. Most patients find this technique very relaxing. For someone with head trauma like a concussion, it is the only technique I use on the neck.
The Activator
The Activator is a device that delivers a quick tap to the spine. While it feels very gentle, it produces significant force by moving just a short distance very quickly. Like all chiropractic adjusting, it helps restore motion to joints and clear pressure on the nervous system.
Adjusting after Injury
After trauma to the neck such as a whiplash injury, the last thing you want to do is further shock the system with a quick manual adjustment. This is especially true if the injury resulted in a concussion. The Activator and SOT stair stepping are both able to make a chiropractic adjustment without cracking. Stair stepping, being completely non-force introduces no shock to the system. Because concussion is the result of the brain hitting the inside of the skull, the tissue that supports and holds the brain and spinal cord in place, (the dura) is also strained. Stair stepping is very good at unwinding tension in the dural tissue as well as restoring movement and ease to the neck. In my opinion is the best way to address neck issues when there are active concussion symptoms.
