From aaa@scs.leeds.ac.uk Fri Apr 15 10:18:16 EDT 1994
Article: 2684 of alt.backrubs
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From: csc8aaa@leeds.ac.uk (A Adams)
Subject: Re: gee hoping so see something here about BACKRUBS...
Reply-To: aaa@scs.leeds.ac.uk
Organization: SCS, U of Leeds, UK.
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 13:12:47 GMT
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Curtana (lochner@fshesa.physics.fsu.edu) wrote:
: maybe i'm whining... but i've been peering at this group on and off...
: and not a damn thing about massage...


Then your newsserver is expiring messages about massage faster than
you're looking. This is a low-ish volume newsgroup but most of it
is on-topic.

Back to the subject of cracking backs which was discussed a long time
ago. I was recently taught two methods of easing vertebrae:

They are both similar in that they involve picking the person up
from behind, and then arching their back and your own. The difference
in techniques is that in one the patient puts theire forearms together
and laces their fingers in front of their face, and in the other
the patient outs their elbows together, laces their hands behind their
neck and keeps their arms as close to each other and their chest
as possible.

Does anyone with experience recommend either of these techniques over
the other? Either in terms of ease of use or better results?

--
TTFN, A^3 *************************E-mail*aaa@scs.leeds.ac.uk********
************************************snail*Flat 18,26 Brudenell Road**
**"If you're not here to kick *******mail*Leeds,LS6 1BD,UK***********
**ass, get out." - jms ***************Tel*UK-0532 789237*************


From sthurman@aol.com (SThurman) Sat Apr 16 23:21:02 EDT 1994
Article: 2693 of alt.backrubs
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From: sthurman@aol.com (SThurman)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: back cracking (was: gee hoping so see something here about
Date: 16 Apr 1994 15:25:02 -0400
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In article <2onmdg$hok@news.iastate.edu>, meg@sequoia.eai.com (Meg Miericke)
writes:

Meg - I don't know how much you weigh, but did you ever think of walking on her
back?  It feels great and cracks my back very well.  If you don't feel
comfortable with that, stand on her buttucks with one foot and use the other to
work up her back.  That way you can regulate the pressure on her back.  Another
method is to have her lie on her side.  Kneel at her back.  Put one hand on her
hip, and the other on her shoulder.  Slowly push her hip away from you as you
pull her shoulder towards you.  It's sort of like wringing out a towel.  Cracks
everything in the lower back for me.  You might have to  experiment with hand
placement though.

Good luck and tell me how it goes.

SThurman@Aol.com


From bm5024@albnyvms.bitnet Sun Apr 17 09:18:13 EDT 1994
Article: 2695 of alt.backrubs
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From: bm5024@albnyvms.bitnet (ben)
Subject: Cracking backs
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The way that I've used most is similar. The patient (victim) puts a hand on
each shoulder, crossing  the forarms, and is picked up from behind by wrapping
an arm around each side and grabbing an elbow. Then, lift and arch backwards.
It tends to work pretty well.

--
	Ben


From klier@cobra.uni.edu Mon Apr 18 07:29:22 EDT 1994
Article: 2703 of alt.backrubs
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From: klier@cobra.uni.edu
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: back cracking (was: gee hoping so see something here about BACKRUBS...)
Message-ID: <1994Apr17.231626.26207@cobra.uni.edu>
Date: 17 Apr 94 23:16:26 -0600
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In article <2onmdg$hok@news.iastate.edu>, meg@sequoia.eai.com (Meg Miericke) writes:
> 
> I have a friend whose husband cracks her back by
> giving her a big hug and letting her totally
> relax and lean back against his arms.  
> 
> When he's not around, I can crack her back by
> having her lie face-down on the floor and breathe
> deeply.  I kneel on my left knee and plant my
> right foot on the right side of her body.  I place
> my hands, palms down, fingers pointing toward her
> head, on either side of her spine, separated by
> about 2 inches.  She breathes in deeply, then when
> she exhales, I let my right knee lean in against
> my right forearm to guide the amount of pressure
> I put on her back.  I think that habit came 
> intuitively, since I'm scared to death of doing
> something that would accidentally cripple her.
>

Be very wary about bear-hug type techniques, according to
my orthopod (I have scoliosis)... I found when I was a kid
that a bear hug helped, but was solidly warned off....

OK, according to my docs:
1) lie out on belly on sturdy table, feet on floor.  Reach
across the table to the other side, and slowly raise feet off
floor, as far as possible.

2) Stand back to back with someone about your size.  Link
elbows.  Let them lean forward gradually, pulling you onto
their back (your feet remain on floor).  Your back is totally
supported into a "backbend" by theirs.  (warning, I got 
stuck once this way... my friend and back supporter had to be
"rescued"  ;-) )

3) In a swimming pool with a low diving board: Jump up and hang from
your arms from the board.  Feet and most of the legs should still be
in the water.  Hang for a few seconds to stretch the back muscles, 
then bring both feet forward slowly, then backwards as far as possible
slowly... then back and forth again, until your arms get tired...  ;-)

4) Again, in a pool:  Lie in the back float position.  Tilt your
head back and "fin" suddenly backwards... the object is to do
a backflip in the water (this is a standard synchronized swimming
move).  

Kay Klier  Biology Dept  UNI



From meg@supai.eai.com (Meg Miericke) Mon Jun 20 09:03:34 EDT 1994
Article: 3078 of alt.backrubs
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From: meg@supai.eai.com (Meg Miericke)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
Date: 20 Jun 1994 12:40:23 GMT
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I have an elaborate technique for stretching out my back before
I crack it, which I call "Rolling around on the floor."

First, I lie down on my back and pull the base of my head "up,"
so that, anchored against the floor, the base of my head is
pulling on my spine.  Another way to think about it is to point
your chin at your chest without expending effort with your
neck.  The point is to relax.

If I'm really tensed-up, I take a moment to massage my shoulders
and neck, stretching out the muscles.

Then I roll up into a ball (my friends call this part
"Ball of Meg") and come as close as I can to putting
my knees on the floor behind my ears, as if I'm doing
a backwards somersault.  Then, using my hands to keep
the base of my head from shifting back down toward my 
back, I unroll, trying to elongate my spine as much
as possible. 

When I'm relaxed, I gently lift my head with my _hands_
and push the base of my head forward, so the base of my
chin points first at one side of my chest, then the other.
Usually this results in a number of pops ranging from
my neck down between my shoulder blades.

Then I sit semi-cross-legged with one knee up and turn in
the direction of that knee, wedging my opposite elbow
against it for leverage until I have turned as far as 
possible, and repeat for the other side. This gets 
the ones in my middle back.

I have yet to develop a systematic way of cracking my
lower back, which is where I really feel the need most
of the time.  Once or twice it's been successful to
massage and pull at the muscles right around that area, 
but they are pretty hard to grip.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Meg


From daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org (Daniel Dillman) Mon Jun 20 07:02:14 EDT 1994
Article: 3076 of alt.backrubs
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Apparently-to: SYLVAN
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
From: daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org (Daniel Dillman)
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SS>There are ways to crack your own back alone involving twisting and
SS>leaning off the edge of a bed, but I don't think I'd be able to
SS>describe them in a post (I can barely explain it in person).

I know well, because I frequently crack my own back.  I find that
certain heights of office chairs work well for me, or I can put the
backs of my hands in the center of my back as high up as possible and
lean back into them...

... GURU -- One who knows more jargon than you.
---
 * TLX v4.00 *


From sylvan@aol.com (Sylvan) Mon Jun 20 18:46:19 EDT 1994
Article: 3084 of alt.backrubs
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From: sylvan@aol.com (Sylvan)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
Date: 20 Jun 1994 15:25:03 -0400
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Meg -

Sit down, legs straight in front of you. Put your right foot flat on
the ground (floor, bed) just to the left of your left knee (so legs
crossed, kind of). Now put your right hand behind your back, as far
to the left as you can.  Put your left arm straight in 'front' of
you, and with your left elbow push against the right side of your
right knee.

Yeesh, not so complicated to show, but tricky to describe.  Anyway,
if you can make sense of it, this works for my lower back.  Obviously
it can be done backwards, too.


-Aaron (Sylvan@aol.com)


From daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org (Daniel Dillman) Tue Jun 21 15:49:11 EDT 1994
Article: 3087 of alt.backrubs
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
From: daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org (Daniel Dillman)
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MM>I have yet to develop a systematic way of cracking my
MM>lower back, which is where I really feel the need most

What I usually do is sit in a chair (usually my computer-desk chair)
and twist my torso in either direction and bend slightly at the waist at
the same time.  I usually pop in at least one direction, if not both.

It helps if you're relaxed first.

... Happiness is a warm modem.
---
 * TLX v4.00 *

------------------============<>=============-----------------
   Granite City Connection (612) 259-0801
   Email: daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org (Daniel Dillman)
------------------============<>=============-----------------


From Bill_Arnett@mindlink.bc.ca (Bill Arnett) Wed Jun 22 07:20:44 EDT 1994
Article: 3092 of alt.backrubs
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From: Bill_Arnett@mindlink.bc.ca (Bill Arnett)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 94 19:30:06 -0700 (PDT)
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someone was asking about cracking the lower back (her own)....

I get a lot of tension in my lower back and while I don't *try* to crack it
sometimes it does crack in the process of strecting the muscles. In
addition to various stretches that have already been mentioned, the two
that
I find most effective are:
1) sitting cross-legged lower your right shoulder toward your left knee.
To increase the stretch, reach out in the same direction with your right
hand.
Repeat for the other side.
2) Standing up, lean forward at the hips supporting your weight on a table,
then bend your spine down slightly and over to one side.  (This helps
when nothing else does.)

disclaimer: these work well for me, but I don't know if they are medically
sound in general.

Cheers. Bill.
--
Bill_Arnett@mindlink.bc.ca
PO Box 32593, Aberdeen Centre P.O., Richmond, BC.  V6X 3S1



From ao488@yfn.ysu.edu (Sarah Lathom) Sat Jun 25 10:46:39 EDT 1994
Article: 3101 of alt.backrubs
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From: ao488@yfn.ysu.edu (Sarah Lathom)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
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For cracking my lower back I find that it usually works best
to sit in a chair as straight as possible, turn to the right or
left and grip the back of the chair with both arms for support
and turn as far as possible. If this does not work then try 
simply sliding down in the chair so that you are "sitting" on
the part of the back which you want cracked. If THAT doesn't
work then I just wait a while and start with the first one again.
I can't say that this will work for everyone seeing as how I
can easily crack any part of my body that I need to (ie. my neck,
shoulders, fingers, back).

Sarah
-- 
Rap's Law of Inanimate Reproduction:

          If you take something apart and put it back together
          enough times, eventually you will have two of them.


From delmkins@kentlaw.edu (DIANE ELMKINSSI) Sun Jun 26 09:46:27 EDT 1994
Article: 3103 of alt.backrubs
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From: delmkins@kentlaw.edu (DIANE ELMKINSSI)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 1994 17:30:41
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In article <2u42nn$l84@news.iastate.edu> meg@supai.eai.com (Meg Miericke) writes:
>From: meg@supai.eai.com (Meg Miericke)
>Subject: Re: Cracking backs
>Date: 20 Jun 1994 12:40:23 GMT

>I have an elaborate technique for stretching out my back before
>I crack it, which I call "Rolling around on the floor."

>First, I lie down on my back and pull the base of my head "up,"
>so that, anchored against the floor, the base of my head is
>pulling on my spine.  Another way to think about it is to point
>your chin at your chest without expending effort with your
>neck.  The point is to relax.

>If I'm really tensed-up, I take a moment to massage my shoulders
>and neck, stretching out the muscles.

>Then I roll up into a ball (my friends call this part
>"Ball of Meg") and come as close as I can to putting
>my knees on the floor behind my ears, as if I'm doing
>a backwards somersault.  Then, using my hands to keep
>the base of my head from shifting back down toward my 
>back, I unroll, trying to elongate my spine as much
>as possible. 

>When I'm relaxed, I gently lift my head with my _hands_
>and push the base of my head forward, so the base of my
>chin points first at one side of my chest, then the other.
>Usually this results in a number of pops ranging from
>my neck down between my shoulder blades.

>Then I sit semi-cross-legged with one knee up and turn in
>the direction of that knee, wedging my opposite elbow
>against it for leverage until I have turned as far as 
>possible, and repeat for the other side. This gets 
>the ones in my middle back.

>I have yet to develop a systematic way of cracking my
>lower back, which is where I really feel the need most
>of the time.  Once or twice it's been successful to
>massage and pull at the muscles right around that area, 
>but they are pretty hard to grip.  Any suggestions?

>Thanks,
>Meg
I find that for your lower back it helps to lie on the floor or something 
hard, a bed won't do.  With one knee bent pull the other one to your chest.  
Do not bounce it.  Hold for a few seconds and then alternate legs.  Do this 
three to four times each.  Strech both legs out straight and put arms out in 
a T form.  Pull one leg up half way and twist to opposite side and do the 
same with other.  Repeat once or twice if desired.  Hope this helps:)


From Ben Herman  Mon Jun 27 19:13:24 EDT 1994
Article: 3117 of alt.backrubs
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
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From: Ben Herman 
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
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In article  DIANE ELMKINSSI,
delmkins@kentlaw.edu writes:
> 
> >Then I roll up into a ball (my friends call this part
> >"Ball of Meg") and come as close as I can to putting
> >my knees on the floor behind my ears, as if I'm doing
> >a backwards somersault.  Then, using my hands to keep
> >the base of my head from shifting back down toward my 
> >back, I unroll, trying to elongate my spine as much
> >as possible. 

Hmmm, I thought I was the only one who did this contrived exercise. 
Normally this in and of itself will pop most of my back. If I still feel
that I've missed a few I'll push up my chest (I.e. bring my shoulders
closer together as I'm lying on the floor) That generally kills the rest
of the Thoracic....

I do something very bad for the Lumbar (lower back).
I stand in a door frame with my feet wedged against the frame (keeps the
lower body steady). I place my hands at about waste height on the frame
and twist in one direction and then the other... Ahhhhh... If I place my
hands at head height I can get many of the Thoracic without balling up.
(Real convenient at the office)


Ben                                                    ..::''''::..
                                           .:::.   .;''        ``;.
   ....                                    :::::  ::    ::  ::    ::
 ,;' .;:                ()  ..:            `:::' ::     ::  ::     ::
 ::.      ..:,:;.,:;.    .   ::   .::::.    `:'  :: .:' ::  :: `:. ::
  '''::,   ::  ::  ::  `::   ::  ;:   .::    :   ::  :          :  ::
,:';  ::;  ::  ::  ::   ::   ::  ::,::''.    .    :: `:.      .:' ::
`:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:'   :;:    `;..``::::''..;' 
=========================================    -       ``::,,,,::''
And everyone will wonder what you're up to.
b-herman@uchicago.edu


From ag071@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Lee Hunter) Fri Jul  1 23:30:07 EDT 1994
Article: 3140 of alt.backrubs
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From: ag071@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Lee Hunter)
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
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>Meg Miericke (meg@supai.eai.com) wrote:

>: I have yet to develop a systematic way of cracking my
>: lower back, which is where I really feel the need most
>: of the time.  Once or twice it's been successful to
>: massage and pull at the muscles right around that area, 
>: but they are pretty hard to grip.  Any suggestions?
>

What works for me is to just lie on my back and bend my right knee and,
keeping the knee bent, bring it towards the floor to the left of my legs
(using gentle pressure from my left hand and keeping my back pretty much
on the floor). Repeat with the other side.

Regards
Lee 
-- 



From smachado@netcom.com (Dr. Steven A. Machado) Sat Jul  2 22:06:36 EDT 1994
Article: 3146 of alt.backrubs
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
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From: smachado@netcom.com (Dr. Steven A. Machado)
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
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Daniel Dillman (daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org) wrote:
: MM>I have yet to develop a systematic way of cracking my
: MM>lower back, which is where I really feel the need most

: What I usually do is sit in a chair (usually my computer-desk chair)
: and twist my torso in either direction and bend slightly at the waist at
: the same time.  I usually pop in at least one direction, if not both.

: It helps if you're relaxed first.

: ... Happiness is a warm modem.
: ---
:  * TLX v4.00 *

: ------------------============<>=============-----------------
:    Granite City Connection (612) 259-0801
:    Email: daniel.dillman@granite.mn.org (Daniel Dillman)
: ------------------============<>=============-----------------
I have had to rescue several people after doing this! Be careful twisting 
the lower back.....it often times gives way!

Steve
Cyberspace Chiropractor
-- 
                                             smachado@netcom.com


From tline@iac.net (Tom Line) Mon Jul  4 18:11:28 EDT 1994
Article: 3150 of alt.backrubs
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From: tline@iac.net (Tom Line)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Cracking backs
Date: 4 Jul 1994 15:13:04 -0400
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Cracking backs.


Bend your knees and stand on the bathroom floor with your back against 
the bathtub. (have a towel across the tub edge) and slowly lean 
backwards, perhaps putting your palms on the floor of the tub.

I wrote a short text on "being your own chiropractor". Let me know if you 
want it and I'll send it at cha.




From smachado@netcom.com (Dr. Steven A. Machado) Tue Jul  5 07:42:25 EDT 1994
Article: 3152 of alt.backrubs
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From: smachado@netcom.com (Dr. Steven A. Machado)
Subject: Re: Cracking backs
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Tom Line (tline@iac.net) wrote:
: Cracking backs.


: Bend your knees and stand on the bathroom floor with your back against 
: the bathtub. (have a towel across the tub edge) and slowly lean 
: backwards, perhaps putting your palms on the floor of the tub.

: I wrote a short text on "being your own chiropractor". Let me know if you 
: want it and I'll send it at cha.

I would like to know, as it is difficult to control the movement of the 
spinal segments when trying to "do it yourself". I am a chiropractor and 
a black belt (22 years in martial arts) and have a pretty good body 
sense, and I can't tell which way a bone as gone, nor influence its 
movement in a predictable way by myself. Anyone can make the joints make 
noise, and I have treated several people who twisted themselves into 
traction or disc surgery. Be careful!

Steve
Cyberspace Chiropractor
-- 
                                             smachado@netcom.com


From markt@harlqn.co.uk (Mark Tillotson) Wed Jun 29 17:32:37 EDT 1994
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From: markt@harlqn.co.uk (Mark Tillotson)
Subject: Re: Back Cracking
In-Reply-To: bio3@ccnet.up.ac.za's message of Sun, 26 Jun 1994 12:01:12 GMT
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Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 20:08:13 GMT
Status: R

> Hi, I was just wondering why it sometimes is necessary to crack ones back or 
> neck? I always thought it was possibly not a good thing.

I'm not sure there's any good reason for cracking joints per se,
but it is usually an indication that you've moved them further than
a sedentry lifestyle normally does... (which _is_ a Good Thing)

My experience is that a good progressive warm-up and stretching
session rarely generates cracking sounds, because you always mobilise
each joint gently before any appreciable force is applied to it.  
Thus perhaps cracking is not a sensible goal to aim for, compared to 
the actual stretch---cracking happens when the joint moves suddenly,
but ideally joint motion should be smooth.  Oil the hinges and the
door moves silently.

> I sometimes get a very sharp and painful burning sensation at the back of my 
> neck when I turn it suddenly, which lasts for a few minutes. 
> Can anyone give me a reason for this?
Probably something (tendon, muscle, nerve) gets plucked as you turn
quickly.  Solution: don't turn the neck quickly if your body isn't
ready to do so. (early in the morning for instance)

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