Patients love that sound. The crack of relief when vertebrae shift back to where they belong. It's satisfying, immediate, and for many, addictive. But what if that satisfying pop is actually putting you at risk?

As a chiropractor who's spent decades in practice, I've watched the explosion of "adjustment videos" across social media. These clips rack up millions of views, with comments section filled with people practically feeling relief through their screens. The appeal is undeniable.

Yet here's what those viral videos rarely mention: cervical manipulation carries serious risks that every patient deserves to understand before climbing onto the table.

Why Neck Adjustments Feel So Good

When your chiropractor performs a neck adjustment, they're working with the soft tissues that hold your vertebrae in place. These tissues can shift due to injury, poor posture, or repetitive motions, potentially irritating surrounding nerves.

The immediate relief many patients report is real. The adjustment can reduce pressure on nerves and restore proper movement. This explains why Americans and Canadians now visit chiropractors twice as often as they did in the past.

With approximately 86 percent of Americans experiencing neck pain, it's no wonder people seek solutions. The problem isn't that adjustments never help. The problem is they're not always the right solution, and sometimes they create new problems.

The Risks Nobody Talks About

While rare, cervical manipulation has been linked to arterial dissection, a tear in the artery walls that can lead to stroke. These events can be devastating and even fatal.

More common risks include increased pain, headaches, and dizziness following adjustments. For patients with certain conditions like osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, or spinal instability, neck manipulation may be particularly dangerous.

What's concerning is how these risks get buried beneath the satisfying cracking sounds and promises of instant relief that dominate social media content about chiropractic care.

When Adjustments Make Sense

Responsible chiropractic care begins with thorough assessment. Before any neck manipulation, our team at Deerfield Medical Center will:

Take a detailed medical history. Perform a comprehensive physical examination. Consider imaging when appropriate. Discuss alternative approaches first. Explain all risks and benefits clearly.

For many conditions, gentler techniques or completely different approaches may be more appropriate than high-velocity neck adjustments.

Finding Balance in Chiropractic Care

The conversation around neck adjustments shouldn't be all-or-nothing. While some practitioners perform them routinely with minimal screening, others avoid them entirely out of caution.

The truth lies somewhere in between. Cervical manipulation can be appropriate for specific conditions in properly screened patients when performed by skilled practitioners.

What matters most is informed consent. Patients deserve to know both the potential benefits and risks before that satisfying crack. They should understand that alternatives exist, and that the most visually dramatic treatments aren't always the most effective.

Social media's appetite for "satisfying" health content has created unrealistic expectations. The most responsible practitioners focus less on viral-worthy pops and more on sustainable results through comprehensive care.

Next time you're considering a neck adjustment, have a frank conversation with your provider about necessity, alternatives, and risks. Your neck deserves nothing less than fully informed care.