Insights into Chronic Neck Popping and How to Address Discomfort
Does turning your head cause shooting pain down your neck and shoulders? Do you hear popping or grinding sounds when you move your neck? If so, you may be dealing with a crick in your neck.
A crick in the neck goes by many names – neck crepitus, cervical crepitus, or simply neck cracking. While an occasional neck crack can feel satisfying, chronic cracking coupled with pain can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of neck crepitus to help you find relief. Read on to learn what causes that clicking, popping sensation, when it may indicate an underlying problem, and most importantly, how to stop the pain.
What is Neck Crepitus?
Neck crepitus refers to the clicking, cracking, or grinding noises that can occur when moving your neck. It happens when there is a release of built-up pressure within the neck joints or popping of muscular tendons and ligaments.
Specifically, neck cracking is produced by:
- The cartilage surfaces in neck joints momentarily breaking suction as the neck moves, creating a popping sound
- Worn neck joints grinding together and causing crackling or grating noises
- Tight neck muscles or tendons snapping back into place, resulting in popping
For most people, occasional neck cracking is normal and not a cause for concern. However, frequent, loud cracking or cracking accompanied by pain may indicate an underlying condition. The specific nature of the sounds can provide clues as to the cause.
While neck crepitus itself is typically harmless, persistent cracking with pain or stiffness warrants a trip to the doctor. They can examine your neck, order imaging tests, and diagnose any related problems.
Causes of Neck Cracking
Neck cracking has several common underlying causes. Here are a few common culprits behind it:
| Causes | |
| Escaping air | As the neck joints move, air bubbles can form and pop, creating an audible crack. This is very common. |
| Changing pressure | Shifts in the fluid and air inside neck joints lead to pressure changes that produce cracking. |
| Tight muscles | Stiff neck muscles or tendons snapping over bones as the neck moves can cause painful popping. |
| Aging | Over time, neck joint cartilage can become brittle and crack more easily. |
Most of the time, neck cracking without pain is completely normal. But sudden, severe discomfort after neck cracking warrants caution. It may signal injury or an underlying condition requiring medical intervention.
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Does The Neck Need To Be Cracked?
If your neck feels stiff and bound up, needing a good crack for relief, there are several likely reasons:
- Muscle tension: Tight neck muscles put pressure on vertebrae, making cracking feel needed to release it.
- Posture: Slouching can compress neck joints, building tension.
- Joint stiffness: Changes in neck joint fluid viscosity and scar tissue may reduce mobility, making cracks feel needed.
- Whiplash: Prior whiplash injury can cause chronic neck stiffness that seemingly requires cracking for temporary relief.
Rather than forcing cracking, try gentle stretches first. Tilt your head side to side, chin to chest, look over each shoulder, and roll your shoulders.
This may provide relief without any cracking. If not, consult a physical therapist for neck exercises tailored to your situation.
Potential Painful Outcomes of Neck Cracking
Cracking your neck forcefully or frequently can lead to several painful complications both in the short and long-term. Here are some key risks and potential consequences:
Pinched Nerve
Misaligned vertebrae from neck cracking can pinch or compress nerves in the cervical spine. This causes radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness along the nerve’s pathway into the shoulder, arm and hand.
Muscle Strain
The uncontrolled, forceful motion of neck cracking can overstretch muscles in the neck and upper back leading to muscle strains or tears. This causes local pain, stiffness, and spasm in the strained muscle.
Ligament Sprain
Similar to muscle strains, the jerking motion of neck cracking can also over-stretch or tear ligaments around the cervical vertebrae. Damaged neck ligaments lead to instability, pain, and joint restriction.
Vertebrae Misalignment
Frequent forceful neck adjustments may misalign the vertebrae, reducing spinal mobility and compressing nerves. This causes local neck pain as well as referred pain in the head, shoulders and upper back.
Whiplash Injury
If neck cracking involves sudden, uncontrolled movements, it risks traumatic injury to vertebrae and soft tissues of the neck. Whiplash symptoms include intense neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and arm numbness.
Inflammation
Repeatedly overworking the neck joints with frequent cracking irritates the area leading to swelling, stiffness, and soreness. This may exacerbate existing neck pain.
Disc Herniation
In rare cases, heavy neck cracking may tear or herniate a cervical disc. This causes severe neck pain, arm numbness, and nerve damage requiring prompt medical treatment.
10 Easy Ways To Alleviate Neck Pain From Popping
If neck cracking and popping has led to painful neck symptoms, there are several conservative treatment options to help alleviate discomfort:
- Apply Heat – Use a heating pad, warm compress, or warm shower to relax tense neck muscles and increase blood flow. The warmth can reduce muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain.
- Ice – Alternate heat with ice packs or cold compresses to also reduce inflammation in irritated neck tissues. Icing is especially helpful after acute neck injuries from cracking.
- Massage – See a massage therapist regularly to work out knots and loosen tight neck muscles causing pain. Deep tissue massage techniques can release trigger points.
- Stretching – Perform gentle neck stretches and range-of-motion exercises morning and night. Slow rotations, side bending stretches, and chin tucks can relieve tension. Yoga can also improve neck flexibility.
- Strengthening Exercises – Isometric neck exercises using resistance bands can strengthen neck muscles to better support the head and neck. Physical therapists can provide a tailored exercise program.
- Posture Correction – Use posture braces or cues to correct hunched forward head posture, which strains the neck. Optimize ergonomics at your workstation to avoid neck strain.
- Joint Mobilization – Physical therapists can perform gentle joint mobilization techniques to improve spinal mobility and reduce popping.
- TMJ Treatment – For popping and pain related to the temporomandibular joint, use TMJ splints or mouth guards and avoid teeth clenching/grinding. Seek orthodontic treatment if necessary.
- Medications – Over-the-counter NSAIDs or muscle relaxants may provide temporary pain relief. Consult a doctor about prescription options as well.
- Alternative Therapies – Acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment or osteopathic manipulative therapy may also help manage neck discomfort.
With a combination of stretching, strengthening, posture correction and anti-inflammatory modalities, most neck pain from popping can be effectively treated without invasive procedures.
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When to Seek Medical Care For Neck Pain
If the need to crack your neck persists along with worsening discomfort, seeking professional medical help is wise. Some signs it’s time to see a doctor include:
- Chronic neck pain lasting over 2 weeks
- Frequent headaches accompanying neck pain
- Tingling or numbness in your arms or hands
- Muscle weakness or reduced coordination in your arms
- Severe neck pain that wakes you at night
- Trauma such as a car accident causing neck pain
Don’t try to tough out nagging neck problems. Your doctor can properly assess the cause and prescribe rest, medication, physical therapy, or imaging tests as needed. Taking action before it becomes severe can help avoid a chronic issue.
Takeaways
While an occasional satisfying neck crack is generally harmless, take heed if it becomes a chronic habit requiring force. Work on posture and neck stretches instead. Persistent discomfort or changes in cracking sensations warrant an examination. Don’t ignore chronic neck pain – address it early before it becomes debilitating.
At Kaly, we make it easy to get connected to top local specialists for any nagging health or pain issues. Our proprietary matching technology instantly pairs you with vetted providers based on your specific needs.
Schedule an appointment, even same-day, through our easy online booking platform. Don’t let neck pain hold you back – take control of your health with Kaly. Sign up now!