During an adjustment we manipulate a joint lengthening the joint space. this reduces the pressure within the joint causing some of the gases that are dissolved in the synovial fluid to form a bubble that rapidly collapses on itself. It is this process that creates the ‘popping’ sound.

This is important as some people think the ‘pop’ is caused by the joints grinding on one another when in fact it is the opposite, the joint are being separated.

This process leaves the joint space wider and the synovial fluid more widely distributed as well as providing a greater range of motion.

K. deWeber, M.Olszewski, R.Ortolano. 2011. Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Family of medicine