Cracking your back (or self manipulation, as we call it) can feel great, and it can help relieve back tension and back pain when it's done correctly. So before you attempt to adjust your back with a good back crack, it's very important to have a proper diagnosis on what's causing your back pain and the proper ways to crack your back for your type of back pain. And if you have certain diagnoses, you should not crack your back at all, so make sure you have cleared it with your doctor or physical therapist. It is best to have them do it first to make sure you know what it's suppose to feel like. See Doctor Jo’s blog post about this at: http://www.askdoctorjo.com/how-to-cra...

The first way to crack your back is using a medium to low height chair. If the chair is not padded, you might want to use a towel for extra padding. Put your hands behind your head, and lean back over the backrest of the chair where you want to pop your back. Taking a deep breath in and letting the air out as you lean back.

The next way to crack your back is by using your hands behind you. I like to call this the reverse Heimlich Maneuver. Clasp your hands behind you in the area you want to crack. The motion will be upward at an angle. Use a quick thrust when you do this, and taking a deep breath in and pushing when all the air is blown out helps.

Now here are some ways to do it with a foam roller. Make sure to prop your knees up when doing these. Put the roller horizontally on the ground where you want to crack your back when you lie on it. Put your hands behind your head again to protect your neck. Use a quick push when you lean back, and taking a deep breath in and pushing when all the air is blown out helps. You can also put the roller at an angle to get the rotational adjustment. Make sure you talk with your doctor or physical therapist to find out which way will work best for you.

Finally, lie down on your back. Try to keep your upper back flat on the ground through out this manipulation. Put one leg straight out, and then bend the other one up and over the leg that is straight out. Some people like to hook the foot onto the back of the knee to help support the leg. Put the opposite arm straight out to the side to help keep your upper back on the ground. Then take the hand of the same side, and place it on your buttocks area. You will push downward and pull over at the same time. Use a quick push when you do this, and taking a deep breath in and pushing when all the air is blown out helps.

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Lower Back Pain Back Flexion Stretches:
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Doctor Jo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
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How to Crack Your Back:
   • How to Crack Your Back - Ask Doctor Jo  

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