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HEALTH

Sometimes at the end of the day, I’ll crack my back to relieve stiffness and tension. This helps me feel better, but is it bad for my back?

Every so often, it’s not harmful, but it can become an issue if you rely on it as a daily fix. Let’s break it down:

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CRACK

Our joints are made up of tendons and ligaments, and we have cartilage in between that helps everything glide and move smoothly. When you apply pressure to your joints by twisting or cracking your back, it releases gas (that’s the popping sound you hear). Every once in a while, that’s okay, but cracking daily can cause the cartilage to wear out, leading to pain or possibly tendon and ligament tears.

WHAT YOU CAN DO INSTEAD

Gentle stretching and exercising are safer ways to relieve tension. A warm shower can also help—once you step out and dry off, slowly bend forward at the waist and hang toward the ground for 15 to 30 seconds. If the tension is centered in your