Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 9/18/2009

Question
Help!  I know its totally my fault and I shouldn't of let him do it but I let some idiot crack my back for me at work the other day.  I've had it done to me loads of times before and its always helped to losen things up but this moron was showing off and did it really violently - it made a louder then usual noise and it really hurt.  I've never had any problems with my upper back only my lower back but over the past four days my upper back feels like its been pulled all across my shoulder blades and I get sharp pains when I move in a certain way or breathe in to my full lung capacity - it feels like its getting worse not better.  My spine doesn't feel like its been knocked out so I'm praying hes not done any long term damage?  Does it sound like muscle strain or like hes done something to a nerve perhaps?  How does this kind of thing heal?  Will it feel worse before it gets better?  I'm so skint I don't have the money to see a chiropractor for an appointment right now but I'm really worried I've done something awful to myself - any ideas?

Answer
Without an actual hands on exam it is a little difficult to diagnose.  That being said...there is a reason chiropractors go through the training that we do.  Safety, first and foremost.  The crack could have been anything from noise associated with joint movement to a fracture.  I would suggest that you find a good chiropractor.  Xrays would be a must!!!!  They would be best suited to assess and treat this.