Ring Dinger Chiropractic Adjustment: What It Is, How It Works, and Can It Help Your Back Pain?

By Dr. Boris Nektalov, DNM, DC, Chiropractor & Enzyme Nutrition Specialist · Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, Forest Hills, Queens NY

Published: November 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: November 1, 2026

Quick answer: The Ring Dinger is a chiropractic adjustment that applies a rapid, controlled pull along the length of the spine while the patient lies face-up. Some patients report immediate relief, but no high-quality clinical trials have shown it works better than conventional spinal manipulation, exercise-based rehabilitation or other recommended care. Because the force passes through the neck, careful screening and informed consent are essential, and it is not appropriate for everyone.

You may have seen it on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok. A patient lies on a specialized table, the chiropractor carefully positions their head, and then performs a quick, controlled pulling movement along the spine. Sometimes there is a series of loud pops. Sometimes the patient reacts right away: they sit up, smile, laugh, or say they feel lighter, looser and more relaxed.

This technique is widely known as the Ring Dinger chiropractic adjustment. Social media has drawn a lot of attention to it from people looking for relief from lower back pain, neck stiffness, spinal tension and other musculoskeletal complaints. That raises some practical questions. What exactly is it? How is it different from a traditional adjustment? Does it actually decompress the spine? And most important, is it safe and appropriate for everyone?

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, our chiropractic office in Forest Hills, Queens, we believe patients should understand the purpose, potential benefits and limitations of any treatment before receiving it. Patients often ask me about this longitudinal traction-style adjustment, so this guide explains what it involves and when it may or may not be appropriate.

What is the Ring Dinger adjustment?

Definition: The Ring Dinger is a popular name for a chiropractic adjustment that applies a rapid, controlled pulling force along the long axis of the spine. The underlying concept is known as long-axis spinal traction or longitudinal distraction.

The technique is associated with chiropractor Dr. Gregory Johnson, who helped popularize it through online videos. A traditional chiropractic adjustment usually focuses on one spinal region or joint. The Ring Dinger instead applies a traction-oriented force through the cervical spine (neck) and along the spinal column.

How the Ring Dinger is performed

1. The patient generally lies face-up on a specialized chiropractic table.
2. The chiropractor stabilizes the patient's body and carefully positions the head and neck.
3. A controlled pulling movement is performed along the spine's longitudinal axis.
4. This may produce audible joint cavitations, the cracking or popping sounds that gave the technique its name.

The sound is not the treatment. The purpose is to apply a controlled mechanical force to the spine, not to produce the loudest possible crack.

Why has the Ring Dinger become so popular?

The main reason is that it looks dramatic. Traditional adjustments often involve small, targeted movements that are hard to see on video. The Ring Dinger's pulling motion is visually distinctive, the sounds can be loud, and some patients report immediate changes in how their back or neck feels. That combination performs well on social media.

There is a deeper reason too. Many people have lived with back pain, neck stiffness or recurring spinal discomfort for years. They may have tried medications, stretching, massage or other treatments without the relief they hoped for. When they see someone describe immediate relief after a Ring Dinger, they naturally wonder whether it could help them.

That curiosity is understandable. But one patient's experience is not the same as scientific evidence, and a dramatic reaction on video does not prove that a spinal condition has been permanently corrected. Some patients feel immediate relief. Others have temporary soreness. Some may not benefit, or may not be appropriate candidates at all. The goal should always be to decide whether the treatment suits that patient's particular condition.

How is the Ring Dinger different from a traditional chiropractic adjustment?

Traditional adjustments generally apply a controlled force to a specific spinal joint or region. For example:

• A lumbar adjustment may address certain mechanical lower back symptoms.
• A thoracic adjustment may be used when restricted upper-back movement contributes to discomfort.
• A cervical adjustment may be considered for selected patients with mechanical neck pain.

In the Ring Dinger, the force is directed lengthwise through the spine instead of mainly targeting one joint. This creates a traction-like effect that may involve multiple spinal segments. Some patients describe it as a full-spine stretch or release. Others say their back feels less compressed or that they move more comfortably afterward.

That does not make it superior to traditional adjustments. There are no high-quality randomized clinical trials showing that this specific technique produces better outcomes than conventional chiropractic manipulation, exercise-based rehabilitation or other recommended treatments. Each technique has different mechanical characteristics, and the right choice depends on the patient. At our Forest Hills clinic, we evaluate each patient's condition before deciding which chiropractic adjustment approach may be suitable.

What happens to your spine during a Ring Dinger?

The spine is made of vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs, which help distribute mechanical loads and allow movement between segments. Ligaments, muscles, joint capsules and other connective tissues support it.

During a longitudinal traction-style adjustment, a pulling force travels through the head and neck toward the rest of the spine. This may temporarily change the load on spinal joints and the surrounding soft tissues. Some joints may cavitate and make an audible pop.

What does the popping sound mean?

Cavitation is generally thought to reflect changes in pressure and gas behavior within synovial joints. It does not mean vertebrae were out of place or have been permanently realigned. It also does not prove that a herniated disc has been pushed back into position.

Does the Ring Dinger really decompress the spine?

The Ring Dinger is often described as spinal decompression. However, high-quality clinical research has not adequately measured the forces individual spinal segments actually experience during the procedure. Claims that it precisely separates every vertebra, or creates a predictable vacuum that pulls herniated discs back in, should be treated with caution. The value of the procedure has to be judged by patient outcomes and safety, not by assumptions about what the sounds mean.

Can the Ring Dinger help lower back pain?

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a chiropractor. It can come from mechanical joint irritation, muscle tension, disc-related conditions or other causes.

Research supports spinal manipulation as one possible treatment for certain kinds of lower back pain:

• A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis in JAMA found that spinal manipulative therapy was associated with modest improvements in pain and function for acute lower back pain.
• A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis in The BMJ found that spinal manipulation produced outcomes broadly comparable to other recommended treatments for chronic lower back pain.

These findings support spinal manipulation for selected patients. But neither review studied the Ring Dinger specifically. Evidence for spinal manipulation in general does not prove that a particular full-spine traction adjustment works equally well. Some patients report relief after a Ring Dinger, but more research is needed to establish how well it works, who it suits best, and how safe it is.

If you have lower back pain, the most important first step is finding out what is causing it.

Can the Ring Dinger help a herniated disc?

A herniated disc occurs when disc material extends beyond its normal boundaries. Depending on where it is, it may irritate or compress a nearby spinal nerve root. That can contribute to lower back pain, pain radiating down the leg, numbness, tingling or weakness.

Some people with herniated discs are drawn to the Ring Dinger because of its traction-style movement. They hope that pulling along the spine will take pressure off the disc. However, there is currently insufficient clinical evidence that the Ring Dinger reliably reduces disc herniations or improves neurological outcomes in lumbar disc disease.

Having a herniated disc also does not automatically make someone a good candidate for high-velocity longitudinal traction. The location of the disc problem, the neurological exam, symptom severity, and any instability or other risk factors all need to be considered. Depending on the diagnosis, conservative herniated disc care may include education, appropriate exercise, selected manual therapy and other options. Some patients may benefit from medical or surgical evaluation.

The Ring Dinger should never be presented as a guaranteed way to reverse a herniated disc or avoid surgery.

Can the Ring Dinger help sciatica?

Sciatica usually refers to pain radiating along the path of the sciatic nerve. It may come from irritation of a lumbar spinal nerve root (lumbar radiculopathy), but other conditions, including deep gluteal syndrome, can cause similar symptoms. Because the causes differ, treatment has to be based on the underlying diagnosis.

Some patients with lumbar-related symptoms may benefit from appropriate conservative spinal care. However, the Ring Dinger has not been adequately studied as a specific treatment for sciatica. Patients with significant nerve-root compression, progressive weakness or other neurological abnormalities need careful evaluation and may not be suitable candidates.

At our Forest Hills office, we focus on identifying the source of sciatic pain instead of assuming one adjustment will help everyone. When it comes to sciatica, the quality of the examination matters more than the name of the technique.

Is the Ring Dinger a good option for neck pain and stiffness?

Many people become interested in the Ring Dinger because they feel tension throughout the neck and upper back. Long hours at a computer, repetitive movements, low physical activity and certain injuries can all contribute to mechanical neck discomfort, and some people report a feeling of release after manual therapy.

But because the Ring Dinger applies force through the head and cervical spine, the neck deserves special attention. The cervical spine contains delicate neurological structures and sits close to major blood vessels. High-velocity cervical techniques carry potential risks, including rare but serious complications. That is why the Ring Dinger should not be treated as a routine stretch that suits everyone.

Patients with suspected cervical instability, certain vascular conditions, significant osteoporosis, acute trauma or other contraindications may need a different approach. Anyone considering a neck-focused technique for neck pain should have a thorough exam and a discussion of alternatives first.

Is the Ring Dinger the same as Y-Strap decompression?

No. They are often grouped together because both apply traction-oriented force through the head and neck, but they are different procedures. A Y-Strap is a device that fits around the back of the head so the practitioner can apply a longitudinal pull. The Ring Dinger typically relies on manual positioning and stabilization of the patient's head and body. The force direction, stabilization method, speed and technique can all differ.

Both are sometimes described online as “full-spine decompression” adjustments. Neither should be confused with mechanical traction on a motorized decompression table, and neither has a well-established evidence base showing it is better than standard conservative care.

At our office, treatment is chosen based on examination findings, patient preferences and clinical suitability. No one should receive a high-force traction adjustment simply because they saw a dramatic video online.

How does the Ring Dinger compare with non-surgical spinal decompression therapy?

If you search for spinal decompression therapy in Queens, you will find several different procedures described with the same term: manual traction, mechanical traction, motorized decompression tables and longitudinal traction-style chiropractic adjustments. They share the general idea of applying a pulling force, but they are not interchangeable.

The Ring Dinger is a relatively rapid manual adjustment, while table-based decompression delivers traction through equipment. The duration, speed, force and overall experience differ. Patients should be cautious about claims that any form of spinal decompression can permanently restore disc height, reverse degeneration or cure every pinched nerve. The right treatment depends on the diagnosis and the patient's clinical picture.

Why do some patients feel immediate relief?

Some patients notice changes in comfort or movement shortly after treatment, and several mechanisms may be involved. Manual therapy can influence sensory input from spinal joints and surrounding tissues. It may produce short-term changes in pain perception, muscle activity or movement tolerance. The patient's expectations, nervous system responses and natural ups and downs in symptoms may also play a part.

These effects can be meaningful. Someone who moves more comfortably after treatment may find it easier to take part in rehabilitation or get back to normal activities. However, immediate relief does not necessarily mean a structural problem has been permanently fixed. Likewise, the absence of a loud crack does not mean an adjustment failed.

The real measure of treatment is whether the patient gains meaningful improvement in pain, movement and daily function, not how dramatic the adjustment looks on camera.

Is the Ring Dinger safe?

Safety is one of the most important considerations with this technique. Because the Ring Dinger involves a rapid longitudinal force through the cervical spine, it calls for particular caution.

• Possible side effects: temporary soreness, discomfort, headache or a flare-up of symptoms.
• Rare but serious risks: complications involving the cervical spine, nerves or blood vessels are possible with cervical manipulation. How often they occur specifically after a Ring Dinger is unknown.
• Evidence gap: there is not enough published safety research on the Ring Dinger to give a reliable complication rate for this procedure.

That uncertainty matters. Before considering the procedure, a chiropractor should review your medical history, assess neurological findings, screen for contraindications and explain the risks and alternatives. Some patients are better suited to gentler mobilization, exercise rehabilitation or other conservative options. You should also feel completely comfortable declining any technique. An impressive-looking adjustment is never more important than patient safety.

Who should not get a Ring Dinger adjustment?

Not everyone with back pain or spinal stiffness should receive a Ring Dinger. Particular caution is warranted for people with:

• Suspected spinal or cervical instability
• Significant osteoporosis
• Acute fractures or recent trauma
• Certain inflammatory or connective tissue disorders
• Neurological deficits
• Possible vascular abnormalities
• A history of significant neck trauma or complex spinal surgery (may need additional evaluation)

Red-flag symptoms that need urgent medical attention

• Severe or progressive weakness
• Changes in bowel or bladder control
• Numbness in the saddle region
• Sudden severe neck pain or headache with dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or other neurological symptoms

In these situations, chiropractic manipulation should never delay proper medical assessment. For many patients, the safest and most effective treatment may not involve high-velocity traction at all.

Why does the examination matter more than the adjustment?

A common misconception is that patients should pick a technique before they have a diagnosis. Someone watches a Ring Dinger video and thinks, “That's exactly what I need.” But how can anyone know that without an examination? The questions that should guide treatment are:

• Is the pain coming from a spinal joint?
• Is there nerve-root irritation?
• Is the problem muscular?
• Are there degenerative changes?
• Are there symptoms that require medical referral?
• Could a gentler treatment provide similar benefits with less risk?

What to expect at an evaluation

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, we emphasize individualized assessment before recommending adjustments or other therapies. Depending on the findings, an exam may include orthopedic testing, neurological assessment, range-of-motion evaluation and review of existing imaging. Additional imaging is ordered when medically indicated, not automatically for every patient. If a traction-style technique is being considered, we discuss its risks and alternatives as part of informed consent. Our goal is to work out which treatment may be appropriate, not to perform a technique because it is popular online.

Why combine chiropractic care with rehabilitation?

Even when an adjustment brings relief, lasting improvement often takes more. For example:

• Someone with chronic lower back pain may benefit from progressive strengthening, regular physical activity and improved movement tolerance.
• Someone with neck discomfort from long hours at a computer may benefit from workstation changes, shoulder strengthening and frequent movement breaks.
• Someone with recurring spinal symptoms may need guidance on returning to exercise safely.

That is why we treat chiropractic care as part of a broader approach to musculoskeletal health. Patients at our office may also have access to soft tissue therapies, posture correction, rehabilitation guidance and selected adjunctive treatments. We offer shockwave therapy and red light therapy in Queens for appropriate musculoskeletal indications, although these modalities are not established treatments for every spinal condition.

The aim is not to stack up as many treatments as possible. It is to identify which interventions are reasonable for each patient's needs.

Should you choose a chiropractor based on Ring Dinger videos?

Social media can be a useful way to learn about a chiropractor's techniques and communication style, and treatment demonstrations can help you understand what happens during an appointment. But videos show selected moments, not the full clinical process. You see the adjustment, hear the sounds and watch the reaction. You usually do not see the medical history, the neurological exam, the informed-consent discussion or the follow-up assessment.

When choosing a chiropractor in Forest Hills, Queens or anywhere else, look beyond how a procedure looks. Consider:

• The provider's credentials and clinical experience
• Google reviews
• Communication style
• Willingness to explain risks and alternatives

A responsible chiropractor should be comfortable explaining why a particular technique is appropriate for you, or why it should be avoided.

How do nutrition and lifestyle fit into spinal health?

Spinal health is shaped by more than a single adjustment. Physical activity, muscle strength, sleep, ergonomics, nutrition and overall health can all affect how people experience musculoskeletal pain. As an enzyme nutrition specialist, I also discuss appropriate nutrition and lifestyle habits as part of a broader wellness approach, and many patients looking for holistic wellness care in Queens appreciate that.

However, no dietary supplement, enzyme product or spinal adjustment has been established as a cure for every disc or nerve condition. A holistic approach should complement evidence-based treatment, not replace it.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Ring Dinger chiropractic adjustment?

The Ring Dinger is a popular name for a chiropractic adjustment that applies a rapid, controlled pulling force along the length of the spine (long-axis spinal traction or longitudinal distraction). The patient lies face-up while the chiropractor stabilizes the body and positions the head and neck. The technique is associated with chiropractor Dr. Gregory Johnson, who popularized it through online videos.

Is the Ring Dinger safe?

There is not enough published research to give a reliable complication rate specific to the Ring Dinger. Possible side effects include temporary soreness, discomfort, headache or worsening symptoms. Because the force passes through the neck, rare but serious complications linked to cervical manipulation are possible. A chiropractor should screen for contraindications and explain risks and alternatives before considering it.

Can the Ring Dinger fix a herniated disc?

There is currently insufficient clinical evidence that the Ring Dinger reliably reduces disc herniations or improves neurological outcomes. It should never be presented as a guaranteed way to reverse a herniated disc or avoid surgery. Suitability depends on the location of the disc problem, neurological findings, symptom severity and other risk factors.

Is the Ring Dinger the same as a Y-Strap adjustment?

No. Both use traction-oriented force through the head and neck, but a Y-Strap is a device fitted around the back of the head, while the Ring Dinger typically uses manual positioning and stabilization. Neither is the same as mechanical traction on a motorized decompression table, and neither has been shown to be superior to standard conservative care.

What does the popping sound during a Ring Dinger mean?

The sounds are joint cavitations, generally associated with changes in pressure and gas behavior within synovial joints. They do not mean vertebrae were out of place or permanently realigned, and they do not show that a herniated disc was moved. The sound is not the treatment itself.

Who should not get a Ring Dinger adjustment?

Particular caution is needed for people with suspected spinal or cervical instability, significant osteoporosis, acute fractures or trauma, certain inflammatory or connective tissue disorders, neurological deficits, possible vascular abnormalities, or a history of significant neck trauma or complex spinal surgery. Progressive weakness, bowel or bladder changes, saddle numbness, or sudden severe neck pain or headache with neurological symptoms need urgent medical evaluation.

Ring Dinger chiropractic care in Forest Hills, Queens: the bottom line

The Ring Dinger has become one of the most recognizable chiropractic techniques on social media. Its distinctive pulling motion, audible joint sounds and memorable patient reactions have generated enormous interest. For some patients, traction-oriented manual treatment may bring a sense of relief or easier movement.

But it is not a universal solution for back pain, neck pain, sciatica or herniated discs. Evidence for spinal manipulation in general should not be mistaken for proof that this specific technique works. And because the procedure applies force through the cervical spine, careful screening and informed consent are especially important.

If you are looking for a chiropractor in Forest Hills, NY and wondering whether the Ring Dinger, spinal decompression or another conservative option is right for your back pain, neck pain, sciatica or herniated disc, we can help you sort through the options. We focus on individualized examinations, patient education and treatment recommendations based on clinical findings. Book an evaluation or contact our office.

The Ring Dinger may be one of the most dramatic-looking adjustments in chiropractic, but the most important part of any treatment is not the sound, the video or the immediate reaction. It is whether the procedure is appropriate, safe and genuinely beneficial for the person receiving it. Effective chiropractic care begins with understanding the patient, not simply performing the adjustment.

References

1. Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017. PMID 28399251
2. Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2019;364:l689. bmj.com

About the author: Dr. Boris Nektalov is a chiropractor and enzyme nutrition specialist at Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens, NY.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional medical evaluation. If you have red-flag symptoms such as progressive weakness, bowel or bladder changes, saddle numbness, or sudden severe neck pain or headache with neurological symptoms, seek urgent medical care. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider regarding your specific condition.