When joints produce a popping or cracking sound, it often prompts questions about the professionals who address musculoskeletal health. This common phenomenon, often associated with joint manipulation, is a focus for several types of healthcare providers. Understanding their roles and the science behind joint sounds can clarify who to consult for musculoskeletal concerns.
Chiropractors and Osteopathic Physicians
Chiropractors, holding a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, especially those affecting the spine. Their education involves extensive coursework in basic sciences, clinical sciences, and chiropractic techniques, typically lasting several years. They use non-invasive methods, such as spinal manipulation, to improve function and alleviate pain. Their focus is on the relationship between the body’s structure, primarily the spine, and its overall function.
Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) are licensed medical doctors who integrate traditional medical training with a focus on the body’s interconnected musculoskeletal system. Their four-year medical school curriculum, similar to an M.D.’s, includes additional hours dedicated to manual medicine and the musculoskeletal system. D.O.s consider the whole person and use osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to diagnose and treat illness or injury. This approach helps address pain, restore motion, and support the body’s natural healing processes, often alongside conventional treatments.
Other Musculoskeletal Specialists
Physical therapists, holding a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree, are movement experts. They help patients reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent disability. Trained in manual therapy techniques, including joint manipulation, they improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness. Physical therapy involves therapeutic exercises and stretches to strengthen muscles and enhance physical function, focusing on rehabilitating injuries and improving daily activities.
Orthopedic surgeons are Medical Doctors (M.D.s) specializing in conditions affecting bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles. After medical school, they complete five or more years of specialized residency training in orthopedic surgery. While performing surgical procedures like joint replacements, they also offer non-surgical treatments such as medication and injections. They address a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, from acute injuries to chronic degenerative conditions like arthritis.
Understanding Joint Sounds
The popping or cracking sound heard during joint movement is primarily due to joint cavitation. This occurs within synovial joints, which are surrounded by a capsule containing synovial fluid, a natural lubricant. When joint surfaces rapidly separate, for example, during manipulation or stretching, pressure within the joint cavity drops. This reduction causes dissolved gases in the synovial fluid to rapidly form a bubble.
The audible “pop” is believed to be produced as this gas bubble forms. After a joint has “cracked,” there is a refractory period, typically around 20 minutes, during which gases re-dissolve before another bubble can form. Research indicates that habitual joint popping, when not accompanied by pain or swelling, is harmless and does not cause arthritis. However, if the sound is associated with pain, swelling, or limited movement, it could indicate an underlying issue.
When to Consult a Specialist
Consult a specialist for musculoskeletal issues if you experience persistent pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion. Seek evaluation if discomfort in joints, muscles, or bones lasts more than a few days or worsens with rest. Symptoms like frequent headaches, chronic back or neck pain, numbness, tingling in extremities, or difficulty with daily activities also signal a need for professional help.
A chiropractor or osteopathic physician is suitable for spinal alignment issues, chronic pain, or limited mobility, often using manual adjustments. For rehabilitation after injury or to improve movement and strength, a physical therapist provides targeted exercises and manual techniques. An orthopedic surgeon should be considered for severe pain, significant injury like a fracture, persistent joint swelling, or if non-surgical treatments haven’t provided relief, as they can diagnose and treat complex conditions and perform surgery.