As mentioned in previous blogs, the reason the joints in your back crack is because you have increased the amount of space between the bones causing gas bubbles to be released from the joint so that they pop.  When the bones are pulled apart, you are stretching all the tissues that connect the two bones.  These tissues would include the joint capsule, ligaments (ligaments connect bone to bone), muscle, and the outer portion of the disc.  If any of these tissues are injured from the primary insult, they will likely be irritated when they undergo a spinal manipulation (a spinal manipulation is a rapid stretch of the spine necessary to produce cracking).  A good analogy would be; if you sprained your ankle, stretching out important ligaments, and then had someone pull on your ankle in order to make it crack, how do you think it would feel? I think we would both be surprised if you did not have a significant increase in pain following an aggressive stretch of a sprained ankle.  This is exactly what you're doing when you undergo a manipulation of your spine when the supporting structures are injured.  The spine is not a magical entity.  It is made up of the same tissues that you would find in any other part of your body (such as the ankle).  With most injuries, there is nothing you can do to magically make the pain disappear instantly.  The body simply needs time to heal itself. Don't pursue the wrong treatment for your body. A quick fix will often cause you increased grief.