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Writer's pictureDr. Rory Dopps

The Dangers of Self-Adjustments: Why You Should Avoid Popping Your Own Neck and Back

Updated: Mar 17


A chiropractor providing a safe and effective spinal adjustment to a patient, emphasizing the need for professional care to avoid the dangers associated with self-adjustments and to promote optimal spinal health.
A person attempting to self-adjust their neck, illustrating the potentially risky practice of DIY chiropractic and the importance of seeking expert care for spinal health.

If you're like many people, you may have tried to pop your own neck or back at some point in an attempt to relieve pain or discomfort. However, it's important to understand that self-adjustments can be dangerous, and can actually cause harm or injury to your spine.

One of the main dangers of self-adjustments is the potential for injury to the vertebrae segments above and below the area being adjusted. The spine is a complex and delicate structure, and attempting to manipulate it without proper training and expertise can cause damage or irritation to the surrounding structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments.

In addition to the potential for injury, self-adjustments can also impair the active and passive range of motion in your spine. The active range of motion is the range of movement that you can perform voluntarily with your muscles, while the passive range of motion is the range of movement that can be performed by another person or an external force. Both the active and passive range of motion are important for maintaining proper spinal health and function.


Attempting to pop your own neck and back can cause damage or irritation to the structures in your spine, which can impair your ability to move freely and comfortably. This can lead to reduced flexibility and mobility, as well as increased pain and discomfort.


Furthermore, self-adjustments can also cause problems in the para-physiological space, which is the space between the vertebrae in the spine. This space is important for maintaining proper spinal function and health, and attempting to manipulate it without proper training and expertise can cause problems and imbalances in the spine.


In order to avoid the dangers of self-adjustments, it's important to avoid attempting to pop your own neck and back. Instead, it's best to stay in active motion, and to avoid over-stretching your joints and muscles. This can help maintain proper spinal health and function, and can reduce the risk of injury and pain.


If you're experiencing pain or discomfort in your neck or back, it's best to consult with a qualified chiropractor who can provide a thorough evaluation and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs and goals. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote spinal health and overall well-being, and can provide lasting relief from pain and discomfort.

At Dopps Chiropractic, our team of skilled and experienced chiropractors, led by Dr. Rory Dopps, is dedicated to providing safe and effective care to our patients. We use a variety of techniques, including manual adjustments and instrument-assisted adjustments, to address spinal problems and imbalances, and to restore proper spinal function and health.


If you're ready to experience the benefits of chiropractic care, contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards improved spinal health and overall well-being.

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