Why does the spine crunch: causes and treatment of crunching in the lumbar region when bending

Perhaps each of us has experienced a crunch in the spine. Young people treat this as something completely natural, without attaching much importance and certainly not worrying. But in old age, it is customary to talk about certain diseases that provoke crunching. Is this really true? Is this dangerous and why does the spine crunch?

Why does the spine crunch?

Natural causes

The spine is a sore spot for many older people, as age-related changes occur in the musculoskeletal system. And if during his life he was affected by various negative factors, then this invariably leads to pain, crunching, and problems with extension. During movement, characteristic clicks may be heard, for example, if a person makes the following movements:

Extension and flexion of limbs.
Turns and bends of the torso and neck.
Extension of limbs or extension-flexion.
Chewing.

In this case, a crunch in the back is a normal phenomenon, as it is easily explained from the point of view of physics. Therefore, there is no cause for concern if there is no general impairment of the condition.

Important! If a person constantly plays sports, then crunching of the vertebrae is a common occurrence for him. Usually, unpleasant squeaks disappear after warming up the muscles and a simple warm-up. This is not considered a reason to see a doctor, as it is a variant of the norm.

Pathological causes

It is impossible to answer the question of why the spine crunches with high accuracy, since this is not only a normal phenomenon, but also a sign of a serious pathology. Sometimes the appearance of an unpleasant sound is associated with instability of the intervertebral discs, which occurs due to increased loads on the spine associated with sports activities or professional activities.

The main pathological causes are:

How to remove salts from the cervical spine

Failure of metabolic processes. Disruption of metabolism and blood flow invariably leads to starvation of joint tissue, vertebrae, and cartilage. It is the normal supply of nutrients and vitamins that ensures their health and functionality. Their deficiency causes the deposition of salts and calcium deposits on the bone parts of the ridge, which leads to crunching and clicking. The main causes of metabolic disorders include a passive lifestyle, poor nutrition, and hereditary skeletal diseases.
Intervertebral hernia. Any pathological processes in the cartilage tissue certainly lead to friction of the bone elements, which manifests itself in the clicking of the spine. In addition to the sound, patients in this case also complain of pain in the lower back or the location of the problem.
Anomalies in the development of connective tissue. The problem appears already at the age of puberty and is explained by the rapid growth of bones, increased stress on it, and lack of vitamins. Therefore, in the process, specific growths can form on the ligaments that protect them from injury.
Distortion of posture. One of the most common reasons for a crunch in the back. Scoliosis or other degenerative processes in the spine lead to the appearance of bubbles and gaps between individual fragments. Therefore, a creaking or clicking sound is necessarily accompanied by severe pain. If you do not start treating the disease with a chiropractor in time, the situation will only get worse over time.
Arthritis and arthrosis. Associated with natural wear and tear of the body throughout life. If the problem is in them, then in addition to clicks and squeaks, the patient experiences a decrease in motor activity, pain or other signs. Spondyloarthritis is considered a dangerous disease, which gradually leads to complete fusion of the bones, making the spine immobile. Its main symptom is a crunch in the back. It progresses gradually, in a chronic form, often without visible symptoms, so it is extremely important to detect it in a timely manner in the early stages for effective treatment.
Mechanical injuries. The back may also crackle if injured. This applies not only to fractures, but also to bruises, blows, and dislocations. Even after completing a rehabilitation course, clicks may appear every time you bend.
Osteochondrosis. A fairly common disease associated with degenerative processes in connective tissue. They are accompanied by characteristic sounds. The disease can appear at any age, as it is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and stagnant processes in the body.
Vertebral instability. A dangerous pathology that leads to joint dislocations. Manifests itself in the form of an unpleasant crunch in the cervical region.

Pathological processes that provoke the appearance of sound effects when moving joints are usually accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. Usually this is loss of sensitivity in the affected area, constant pain, discomfort when trying to sit down or take a breath.

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Associated symptoms in diseases of the musculoskeletal system

If you have the pathologies described above, you should not be surprised by clicks in the spine. But besides strange sounds, these diseases also manifest themselves with other symptoms. Therefore, it is the disease that needs to be treated, not the accompanying crunch.

With osteochondrosis, the patient has difficulty moving and feels pain. The localization of pain depends on the area of the lesion.

For protrusion, when the fibrous ring is damaged, the following symptoms are characteristic::

The normal functioning of the spine is disrupted.
A crunching sensation occurs in the joints of the intervertebral disc.
Severe pain with sudden movement.

With arthrosis, there is constant aching pain in the joints and lower back . The inflammatory process of this disease always causes a crunch.

Video: “Causes of clicking and crunching in the neck”

Diagnostic procedures

Crunching between the shoulder blades is a specific symptom of a number of different diseases. Therefore, consultation with a therapist and extensive diagnostics are required in order to determine the cause of the unpleasant sound. If the clicks are not normal, according to the doctor, he will prescribe the following tests:

X-ray of the spine. With its help, a large number of spinal diseases, joint deformations, and degenerative processes in cartilage tissue are identified.
Computed or magnetic resonance imaging. It is recommended for all patients who have no contraindications for this. You cannot do without such an examination if the crunching is systematic and causes severe discomfort to the person.
Ultrasound of soft tissues. This is a more highly specialized technique that allows you to identify any pathological changes in the discs, for example, fluid accumulation, problems in the joint membranes.
General analysis of urine and blood. Indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Spinal tap. It is used only in particularly severe cases to determine disorders in the spine and the presence of blood in the cerebrospinal fluid.

During the examination, the patient’s complaints are also taken into account in order to determine the location of the crunch and the presence of accompanying symptoms. The most common complaints are weakness, limited mobility, or fever. Based on the results obtained, tactics to combat the pathology are prescribed. In some cases, several different types of examinations will be required, but usually an x-ray or MRI is sufficient to identify the cause, the width of the lesion and associated disorders.

Urine and blood tests can detect inflammatory processes in soft tissues, therefore they are required to be taken during the examination

Diagnostics

If your joints are cracking, then a therapist will help you determine which doctor to see. He will cure some diseases himself. If the therapist suspects diseases of the joints or connective tissues, he will refer you to a rheumatologist. If there is a history of trauma, he will advise you to consult a traumatologist.

During the appointment, the doctor interviews the patient and examines him. The specialist checks how mobile the joint is and whether it is very bothersome. The doctor calculates BMI through the ratio of the patient’s height and weight, and is interested in his diet and physical activity.

Treatment of the spine and joints always begins with a thorough examination. Sometimes it turns out that the crunching was caused by latent diseases. To figure out why all the joints began to crunch, the following is prescribed:

general or biochemical blood test;
general urine analysis;
Ultrasound;
radiography;
CT;
MRI;
puncture.

A blood test helps identify the presence of inflammation. The composition of urine determines the excess of salts and protein. Uric acid levels will help detect gout. If autoimmune diseases are suspected, an analysis is taken for antibodies to one's own cells, as well as for specific markers of inflammation.

Using ultrasound, the structure of the joint and its functionality are studied, and using x-rays, pathological changes and traumatic damage to bones and surrounding tissues are detected. The puncture allows you to perform microscopic and bacteriological examinations of the intra-articular fluid.

How to treat crunch in the spine?

If you hear a crunch in your back in the area of the shoulder blades, which not only appears from time to time, but is also accompanied by unpleasant sensations, then it’s time to see a doctor. It can be very easy to neglect the situation in this case, since many pathologies develop without visible signs, in a chronic form, and only in the final stages become the cause of serious health problems. A comprehensive examination will be required to determine the cause; without determining the prerequisites for the development of a certain process, it is often difficult to formulate a correct treatment regimen.

The fight against crunching in all joints requires a comprehensive approach aimed at restoring blood circulation, improving metabolic processes, and restoring normal mobility of the vertebrae. A variety of methods are used for this, the main ones being taking medications, visiting a chiropractor, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.

Drug treatment

If a crunch in the lower back appears and is accompanied by an inflammatory process, taking a complex of medications is mandatory. This allows you to relieve pain, relieve swelling and restore mobility to the patient. Medicines are always selected individually, since many drugs have serious contraindications and undesirable effects.

The main groups of drugs prescribed:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen). With their help, swelling is relieved, pain is eliminated and joint mobility is restored.
Painkillers (Ketonal, Analgin). Prescribed in case of acute pain that a person cannot tolerate. In especially severe cases, patches based on lidocaine or novocaine are used.
Chondroprotectors (“Teraflex”, “Donna”). If the cause is hidden in cartilage pathologies, then you will need to take drugs that start the regeneration process and restore the integrity of the damaged fiber.
Multivitamins (“Glucosamine forte”, “ArtriVit”, “Kalcemin”). The supplements contain a large number of vitamins and minerals that help maintain healthy joints and bones.

Doctors also use other medications that allow them to achieve the desired result and relieve any symptom. If there is an increased risk of an allergic reaction to drugs that cannot be replaced, antihistamines are used.

Therapeutic massage should be performed by an experienced, qualified specialist in a clinical setting.

Massotherapy

An integrated approach to treating crunch in the lower back or other places includes therapeutic massage. It is recommended for almost all patients (including newborns), as it has no contraindications or side effects.

The main benefits of the course of procedures are:

Improving blood flow in the affected area.
Increased lymph movement.
Restoring nutrition of soft tissues, improving oxygen supply to discs and bone parts.
Relief of pain syndrome.
Restoration of the nervous system.
Improving the general condition of the patient.

There are several types of massage that are used to relieve unpleasant symptoms, including if the spine begins to crunch and hurt. The most commonly used are point, can, classic, and hardware. The procedure is carried out by a competent specialist, taking into account the general condition of the patient.

Important! It is strictly prohibited to carry out any influence during an exacerbation, as this only worsens the situation.

Acupuncture

Treatment with needles was used several centuries ago, but now it does not lose its relevance, since, by irritating certain points characterized by biological activity, it allows you to start the process of tissue regeneration and relieve pain. The main indications for the technique are:

Overstrain of the muscle corset.
Severe pain in the cervical region, lower back or chest.
Spinal injury.
Poor posture.
Osteochondrosis or arthritis.

The technique shows good results when a neuromuscular disorder is observed, and there is no physical pathology. The main contraindications include infectious diseases, nervous disorders, oncology or the period of pregnancy.

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Manual therapy

One of the most effective ways to deal with an unpleasant crunch in the back is to consult a chiropractor. This specialist works with various diseases of the bone and muscle system. The technique is not used independently, only in combination with others, only in this way can you get a good result.

The main principle of manual therapy is manual pressure on the back, which allows you to remove pathological symptoms, correct the position of individual fragments, restore blood circulation and return the anatomically correct position of the discs. The impact on individual areas is always dosed and returns the usual mobility.

Important! Before contacting a particular specialist, you need to check his level of qualifications and experience in working with a specific problem.

Physiotherapy

Diseases, pain or crunch in the back are often associated with poor mobility throughout life. Therefore, therapeutic exercises, which are carried out under the supervision of a specialist, will help get rid of the problem. Supervision by medical personnel is essential to avoid complications resulting from improper technique.

There are several types of exercise therapy:

Gymnastic exercises for intervertebral hernia.
Exercises for the prevention of osteochondrosis.
Health complex.
Therapeutic training "Qigong".
Exercises to strengthen your back.
Rehabilitation after spinal surgery.

Each variety has its own characteristics and pursues specific goals. Therefore, a suitable type is selected taking into account the patient’s condition. The use of exercise therapy along with medications and therapeutic massage gives excellent results.

You can do exercise therapy on your own or attend special group training sessions.

Osteopathy

One type of manual therapy aimed at manually influencing the spine is osteopathy. Its main feature is the elimination of the cause of the disease, which leads to damage to internal organs and the central nervous system. Thanks to professional influence, the body’s own resources are activated and the self-regulation mechanism is launched. The procedure is recommended for the following pathological conditions:

Protusions.
Intervertebral hernia.
Arthritis or arthrosis.
Osteochondrosis.
Pain in any part of the spine.
Posture disorders.

You need to trust your health only to an experienced, qualified specialist who has experience. Such doctors usually see patients in specialized clinics.

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Physiotherapy

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system cannot be avoided without physiotherapy techniques. Various techniques used in a specialist’s office help restore blood circulation, improve muscle tone, and speed up the recovery process during the rehabilitation period. A correctly selected technique does not cause side effects or complications, and normalizes the condition and psycho-emotional background. The most common treatments for back crunch are:

Electrophoresis.
Mud therapy.
Ultrasound therapy.
Water procedures.
Electrical stimulation.
Phonophoresis.
Magnetotherapy.
Laser therapy.

Since back crunching in itself is not a pathological condition and does not require specific treatment, a suitable physiotherapy procedure is selected individually, based on the presence of chronic pathologies, age and the desired result.

Electrophoresis procedures can only be performed as prescribed by a doctor.

Surgery

If the spine crunches in the lower back and a serious disorder in this area has been diagnosed, which conservative therapy cannot cure, surgery is prescribed. You cannot do without it if neurological disorders occur or there is a risk to the patient’s life. Indications for a radical approach are the following cases:

Protusions in the lumbar region.
Intervertebral hernias of any location.
Progressive curvature of the spine (more than 40 degrees).
Spinal instability.
Serious spinal injuries.
Compression of nerve endings, resulting in dysfunction of internal organs.

Doctors use a variety of techniques to restore health to the patient. Most often, this involves prosthetics of intervertebral discs or individual bone fragments of the ridge, removal of sections of bone to reduce pressure on the nerves, or excision of a herniated disc.

Why do you feel relief?

Some people and doctors believe that crunching your back is possible and even beneficial. After all, after this action a person feels relief. And this is true to some extent; after such a rotation, the block of muscle tissue and bone joints is removed. Thanks to this, stiffness of movements disappears. However, this effect does not last long; after the body is stressed, tissue spasm occurs again.

To eliminate stiffness, it is necessary to perform special therapeutic exercises. Physical activity will not only relieve lower back stiffness, but also normalize the functioning of housing and communal services, get rid of excess weight and restore general health.

Preventive actions

The appearance of a crunch in the thoracic region or any other place causes discomfort and can become a symptom of a serious pathology. To prevent it and improve the health of the body, experts recommend following a number of simple rules:

Organize proper healthy nutrition. Eat only healthy fruits and vegetables grown without the use of dangerous chemicals. Eliminate sweets, flour, spicy, fried foods from your diet.
Include sports in your life or move a lot during the day. Swimming, yoga, or at least a little exercise in the morning will be of great benefit.
Don't wear high heels every day, only on holidays. Choose high-quality orthopedic shoes with stable heels made of high-quality material.
Always pay attention to your posture, especially when working at a computer or doing delicate work. The shoulders should be straightened, the back should be straight, the head continues the spine.
Consult a doctor promptly for treatment of any type of pathology.

If you follow all the rules, you can forever forget about spinal pathologies, crunching between the shoulder blades and other disorders, most of which are not treatable and can become chronic, significantly reducing the quality of life.

Back crunching occurs in many people and is usually not a cause for concern. But if it is accompanied by discomfort, pain, fever or decreased sensitivity in the affected area, then you should immediately consult a doctor. He will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and prescribe the correct therapy to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and restore normal joint mobility.