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The Bizarre Relief of Watching Chiropractic Adjustments on YouTube
A chiropractor explains YouTube’s addictive ‘crack’ videos
Sound can be many things, take on many forms, and conjure a vast array of emotions. Sound can bring us to rage or laughter, or it can calm our nerves, invoking an almost sedative, relaxing quality. While chiropractic work is known for many therapeutic things, soothing sounds aren’t primary among them.
I am a practicing chiropractor. And no less than once a week, I find myself speaking to a patient — in person or over the phone — asking for what I call “the Youtube special.” Can you do that thing I’ve seen on Youtube? That “thing” they’re referring to is a chiropractic adjustment, also called a spinal correction or manipulation. But these prospective patients are seeking a very specific type and style of adjustment — one which produces audibly loud sounds released from the joints within the spine or body.
In many cases, chiropractors do utilize techniques that produce sound, similar to cracking one’s joints. In some cases…
