Some 80 million Americans suffer from acute back pain, and more than half miss work as a result.
Manual medicine is a cornerstone of osteopathic treatment.
The cracking is really only a small component of manual medicine, says Richard Jermyn, DO, director of the center. The cracking sensation can be related to muscle spasms, or may be a reflex or movement of a tendon. Manipulation is particularly helpful in treating medical conditions to augment or replace medication. Many people can't tolerate the side effects of medications. Jermyn sees many elderly patients with osteoporosis, which is more painful than many people realize.