Spinal Manipulation: Cracking the Code

Is the satisfying “crack” during a spinal adjustment just a harmless pop—or something more profound?

In this episode, we dive deep into the mechanics, neuroscience, clinical evidence, and controversies surrounding spinal manipulation therapy. Whether you’re someone who swears by your chiropractor, a skeptical healthcare professional, or just curious about the science behind that famous pop, this episode is for you.

We'll explore:

• The biomechanics behind spinal cavitation (what actually causes the crack?),
• How spinal manipulation affects the nervous and endocrine systems, including hormonal, neurochemical, and sensory changes,
• What the clinical evidence says—and what it doesn’t—about managing low back pain, neck pain, migraines, and more,
• Risks, including rare but serious complications like vertebral artery dissection,
• And where research is heading in a field still hotly debated by clinicians and scientists alike.

We reference over 40 peer-reviewed studies to help clarify the murky waters of clinical outcomes, brain responses, patient safety, and evidence-based practice. You'll hear findings from landmark trials, global consensus reviews, and biochemical investigations—all presented in an accessible, conversational format.

So whether you're lying face down on a treatment table or standing in a lecture hall, this episode will give you a 360-degree view of one of the most polarizing tools in manual therapy.