“Why does my back crack when I stretch?”

Cracking noise is common. But not necessarily normal. I would suggest you have a Chiropractor check you over.

Why does my back crack when I stretch? Every time I stretch my back cracks. Is it normal? Should I see a chiropractor? *The cracking noise you are hearing is from gas and fluid interacting in the small joints that connect the bones (vertebra)* *in the spine together**. Normally, each of the bones in the spine moves a small amount to give us our full range of motion. When one of the bones is stuck (subluxated), the others need to move more to make up for that. That is the "popping" and "snapping" you hear. Those noises also mean that the spine isn't working properly. A chiropractor will find the bones in the spine that aren't moving properly and adjust them.*

I think everyone should see a chiropractor. All of us have spines and bones that shift. We work, exercise, and sometimes that causes a misalignment, or subluxation. If your back cracks every time you stretch, you may have a misalignment. Or, you are realigning it as you stretch. It's not uncommon to hear pops when stretching, but it could indicate cause to see a chiropractor for general wellness and to make sure you are in optimal alignment.

This is a vague question, I can see you for an examination and review the
results with you.

Your back cracks when you stretch because there are joints that are freely moving and can self adjust when you move. The problem is that there are joints surrounding those areas that are not freely moving and can cause muscle tension, discomfort, and reduced motion. I tell my clients to come in for an adjustment even though they pop when they stretch to make sure that your whole spine, and body, is getting adjusted and getting adjusted correctly.