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Hello, I have a question regarding the pain, popping and cracking of my back, shoulders, sternum, arms, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, ankles and toes. There is pain in these areas on a daily basis like after exercise, standing at work or some sports. I am in my middle 20s and this definitely is frustrating but should this pain popping and cracking hinder me?
Is a seeing a chiropractor valuable, is exercise the answer, and what else could be done?
Jeffrey,
The painless joint popping and cracking is a normal phenominon, and there is little known about it. Some people have joints that more frequently pop, and some also constantly feel the need to self crack their joints. The spontaneous popping of a joint, called "crepitus," is seen more frequently in previously strained or injured joints, and sometimes is a hallmark of a damaged joint. The latter scenario is often encountered with a joint injury or other pathology, for example an arthritic shoulder or knee. Some believe that simple malfunctioning of a joint will lead it to popping and cracking, and I would agree that this can be the case in some instances. Painful popping is another story. Pain means that something is deranged or inflammed. My suggestion is to find a chiropractor that is skilled at both joint manipulation to the spine and extremity joints as well as at manual and mechanically assisted soft tissue mobilization. You may want to search these web sites for lists of DC's: www.grastontechnique.com and www.acbsp.com. Try a hand-full of sessions and see if it helps. Part of your workup should be a thorough history and physical examination to rule out any underlying disease process. The DC may order blood work or refer you to your PCP for lab tests if your work up warrants it.
'Hope this helps.
Dr. G
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Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP
Expertise
21 Years in practice: I can answer any question regarding chiropractic and sports medicine treatment. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe, valid, reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of unscrupulous chiropractors and fraudulent methods to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine. I have experience treating elite and Olympic athletes.
Experience
Experience:
- 21 years in practice;
- Pan American Games, 2011: Official Medical Staff for the Pan Am Games.
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: World Olympians Associan and International Sports Chiropractic Association Healthcare Team;
- International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma;
- Official Provider: Jamaican Track and Field team for Penn Relays (2009-2011)
- Experience with USA Gymnastics Healthcare team and International Powerlifting Association Medical Staff;
- 300 hour chiropractic sports medicine diplomate degree (DACBSP); International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma (ICSSD)
- Healthcare Consultant: Century, Ty-Wood Corp. Holliston, MA (2005-2007)
- Team Chiropractor: Boston Bulldogs USL D-3 & Boston Renegades USL W-1 League (1999-2004)
- Independent Examiner: Scope Medical and The Physician's Network
- Professional/Clinical Monitor: Affiliated Monitors, Inc.
- Board of Directors: MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (Massachusetts)2000-2006
- "The Impact of Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy on Chronic Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprain Syndrome in Two Young Athletes" J. of Chiro Med , Fall 2004
- "Work Related Injury;" The Hanover Report, June, 1993
- "Long Lasting Analgesic Effect of Oxymorphonazine in Rats;" Agonists and Antagonists III, n.7675, 1985
- BS Biology, Doctor of Chiropractic: Northwestern College of Chiropractic,
- Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)
Education/Credentials
Doctor of Chiropractic Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians
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