It would be wise to start with defining what exactly "popping" means. This noise happens when a stretching of a joint creates a vacuum. The vacuum pulls out gases from the synovial fluid. The release of gas creates a pop. This is called a cavitation. This is similar to what happens when you open a wine bottle (the cork-top kind, not the cheap screw cap). Improved range of motion is often felt immediately afterward. That is unless something goes wrong. And it could.
Stretching the joint to get a pop and re-aligning the joint are two different things. I can pop my own knuckles, but that does not necessarily re-align them. A real Chiropractic adjustment requires an assessment first. It requires that misalignments be identified before the adjustment, and checked afterward to see if any change occurred. Without this essential information, the chances of the joints moving in a "good" direction are minimal. Here is another curveball- the areas that are in pain are not always the areas that need to be adjusted!
Once in awhile, I see someone who has "popped" a joint in a bad direction, and they are stuck. The alignment is now worse, and sometimes painful. However, it more often happens that the person has popped their back numerous times a day, and have done so for years or even decades. When this happens, the joint tissues get stretched. It becomes difficult if not impossible to achieve any adjustment until the person STOPS THE POP. This patient is usually very disappointed on the first visit, because any further "popping" is unlikely.
It is surprising to me how many DIY videos there are on Youtube for those willing to try, but these are quite ridiculous. I will say that some of these movements are good as stretches. But there is a big difference between going for a stretch and going for a pop. If you are truly trying to stretch, and you feel a pop, there is no need to fear. Unless, of course, it was a button that popped off your clothes.
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