How to Crack Someone Else's Back

Co-authored by Eric Christensen, DPT

Last Updated: December 6, 2022 References

Though cracking your back can provide relief, it can also cause serious injuries. In fact, if you don't follow the proper safety precautions, it can actually make back pain worse or cause further trauma. This article provides information on how to crack someone’s back safely, including how to use proper chiropractic techniques and when to stop and leave the job to a professional chiropractor or doctor. If a friend has asked you to crack their back for them, use these guidelines to ensure a safe, helpful experience!

1

Apply gentle pressure.

Approach cracking someone's back like a massage. Professional chiropractors apply gentle pressure with their hands on the upper back, lower back, and buttocks. Mimic the professionals by only pushing gently onto the back and buttocks during the process, and make sure the person you are helping is comfortable the whole time. ^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Though the methods in this article are based on chiropractic practices and are safe to perform, it's always best to see a professional. If the person you are helping has severe back pain, encourage them to see a doctor or chiropractor instead.

2

Start with the person lying on their stomach.

Find a gentle surface for the person to lay down on. A professional chiropractor has patients lie on a chiropractic table to provide the most comfort. Mimic that as best you can with something like a bed, table, or clean part of the floor.^{[2]
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Mayo Clinic
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3

Push on the person’s back and buttocks.

Gently press down on the person’s buttocks with one hand. Using your other hand, press down on the person’s upper back. Make a series of gentle pressing motions for a few seconds to start.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Eric Christensen, DPT
Physical Therapist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.}
- Ask the person you are helping how this feels to them. If the pressure causes them pain or discomfort, do not proceed!

4

Press on the back while raising and lowering their legs.

Have the person lift both of their legs up slightly. A chiropractor is able to lift the bottom half of their table up and down for this motion. Mimic that by asking the person to lift both legs up and down slightly at the same time.^{[4]
X
Research source} As they do so, press your hands gently on their lower back.
- Have the person move their legs in a gentle, rocking motion.

5

Press on the upper back.

Apply gentle pressure with the bottom of your hands. Keep pressing until the person feels relief. As you do this, encourage the person to take deep breaths in and out.^{[5]
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- Keep in mind, you may not always hear the traditional popping or cracking sound. Nevertheless, the person may feel relief from the rocking and pressing alone.

6

Try a partner stretch.

A partner stretch is a great way to relieve back pain. Start by sitting on the floor facing each other. Stretch your legs out in a V and plant your feet against your partner's, keeping your toes pointed at the ceiling. Grip each others' hands firmly, then slowly lean backward while your partner leans forward. Be sure to keep your arms extended in front of you while you do this. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds, then relax.^{[6]
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- This exercise may crack your partner's back, but even if it doesn't, they may get some relief just by stretching through their whole range of motion.^{[7]
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  Research source}

7

Talk to the person throughout the process.

Keep a dialogue going to make sure the person is comfortable. Instruct them to tell you to stop immediately if they feel pain and ask how they are feeling throughout the process.^{[8]
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Research source}
- If they express pain or discomfort, stop immediately! Continuing to crack someone’s back after they have experienced pain can cause injury.

8

Take safety precautions.

Never help someone crack their back if they claim to be in severe pain. Cracking someone's back if they're in intense pain can result in serious complications. Severe back pain should only be treated by a medical professional.^{[9]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If a part of the person's back is particularly sensitive and they feel they must protect it from pressure during the process, you should not be cracking their back.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Eric Christensen, DPT
  Physical Therapist
  Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.}

9

Never use bear hugs or methods involving lifting.

These can cause serious injury. Even if your friend asks you to, don't walk on their back or try to crack their back by hugging or lifting them. If you use the wrong amount of pressure, you can cause a serious back injury that will require medical treatment, like a herniated disk, stroke, or compression of the nerves in the lower spinal column.^{[11]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If the person you are helping starts to brace themselves or hold their breath, stop immediately.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Eric Christensen, DPT
  Physical Therapist
  Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.}

10

Seek medical attention if they need to crack their back often.

A constant need to crack your back is a sign of an underlying medical problem. This person may have a condition related to the muscles or the bones in the back. While back cracking can temporarily relieve pain, it will not help address the bigger cause of back pain.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

11

Make lifestyle changes to prevent future back pain.

Eat a healthy diet, stretch regularly, and lose excess weight. Each of these methods can help relieve or prevent future back pain, and work great in combination with occasional back cracking.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet improves your bone and muscle health. Eat whole foods, plentiful amounts of fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed, high-calorie treats with low nutritional value like french fries, ice cream, and soda.
- Stretching and exercising regularly improves the range of motion in your joints and keeps your muscles in healthy condition.
- Losing weight helps you avoid back pain, as excess weight strains your lower back.
- Quitting smoking improves your overall muscle health, as nicotine disrupts the blood flow to your muscles.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is it safe to crack someone's back?

Eric Christensen, DPT
Physical Therapist
Eric Christensen is a Physical Therapist based in Chandler, Arizona. With over a decade of experience, Eric works in both orthopedic and neurological fields and specializes in custom orthotic prescription and casting, vestibular reprogramming, and manual therapy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University. In practice, Eric takes a developmental approach to rehabilitation utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He uses functional movement patterning and manual therapy to return patients to prior levels of function.

Eric Christensen, DPT

Physical Therapist

Expert Answer

Yes, as long as you're careful. To be safe, work the person's soft tissue instead of leaning on their spine. If the other person is in pain or is bracing themselves for potential pain, stop whatever you're doing.