Chiropractic Community Calls for Increased Awareness of Crack Back

Davenport, IA - Life-threatening spinal injuries usually involve a source of obvious trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or accidentally falling down an open manhole when someone forgets to put the cover back. But this isn't always the case. A growing number of mothers and fathers are suffering from what chiropractors, experts in the management of spine health, are calling "crack back" or "line spine", and they are calling for increased awareness and action from government leaders.

An elderly woman, shown here at the gym in the early stages of crack back after her no-good unemployed 49-year-old son stepped on a sidewalk crack, probably intentionally, in order to get his grubby hands on the inheritance and pay off gambling debts

Crack back occurs when a child, either intentionally or accidentally, steps on a sidewalk crack. This results in the sudden and catastrophic breaking of their mother's back. Line spine, which typically affects fathers, occurs when a child steps on a line. Lines may be existing sidewalk expansion joints or even chalk-based hopscotch courts. Regardless, these cracks and lines are all extremely risky. Not every case will result in death, with some only causing minor acute or chronic low back pain, but the potential for a catastrophic outcome is very real.

"This is a global epidemic with more potential for serious injury than relatively minor conditions like text neck or when a kid wears their backpack on one shoulder," Frank Grimes, a chiropractor who practices at the Crack Back Institute in Belvidere, NE, explained. "After Accordion syndrome, this is the problem with the highest risk for extreme spinal injury that we deal with in the clinic, and it has become increasingly common. This country has a real infrastructure problem, and cracks are everywhere these days. And frankly, so are kids. It's a recipe for disaster."

Most people are familiar with Accordion syndrome. Named after chiropractor Robert Accordion, who first described the condition in 1907, this is when a patient's entire spinal column collapses and then comically bobs up and down as they shriek in pain. Typically linked to untreated chiropractic subluxations that damage the spine and surrounding support structures over time, it is designated as a chiropractic "never event" by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Strip Malls. Grimes is hoping that crack back and line spine will receive the same focus in the near future.

"I've lost count of how many lives I've seen ruined by these conditions," Grimes, who trademarked Crack Back and changed the name of his practice after noticing that more than 90% of his patients complained of low back pain, revealed. "I just diagnosed a young woman with it last week. This was a thriving mother who loved being outdoors, hiking the trials, and solo climbing up the sides of mountains. She loved life. And then her kid steps on a crack right as she's about to summit El Capitan. She survived, but she may never climb again."

Sidewalks across America are in bad shape. There are billions of cracks and even more lines putting unsuspecting parents at risk, and this will likely only get worse. According to Grimes, our political leaders are failing us. "We live in the richest country in the world. The money is there to fix the problem, but we can't seem to get much of anything done in Congress anymore."

Keeping sidewalk cracks and lines clear of weeds or other debris that might hide them from sight is helpful, but repairing them as soon as possible is best

What can people do to prevent crack back and line spine? The most important step is prevention. Avoiding sidewalks is key because that is where high risk cracks and lines are most commonly found, although some evidence suggests that concrete driveway cracks may be just as dangerous. And keeping some kind of crack filler or sealant handy might just save the life of another mom or dad in the future.

Grimes has developed the SAFE acronym to help children at almost any age to remember how to prevent severe parental spinal injuries:

• Step over all cracks and lines

• Avoid sidewalks whenever possible

• Fill in sidewalk cracks and lines, ideally with a self-levelling polyurethane sealant

• Eyes down at all times when walking on or near sidewalks

Dr. Grimes is currently offering a Winter Wellness package for parents. This includes a complete spine analysis, which includes spinal resiliency measurements, establishing a SAFE sidewalk plan for the entire family, as well as crack back or line spine treatment if indicated for only $99. Call today!