The ‘cracking techniques’ are some times used by osteopaths and are called high velocity thrusts or HVT’s. Theses techniques are sometime applied to the spinal joints to increase the range of movement and relax the deep muscles that cannot be reached by massage alone. These techniques are not suitable for everyone and is usually only performed in the mid and lower back for safety reasons. This technique is only a small part of the treatment used by osteopaths and if a patient is not happy with this the style of the treatment can be easily changed with out effect to the outcome of the treatment.