Question 1

what causes my neck to crack?

Accepted Answer

Crackling neck: This is common and may be normal response to moving the neck and forcing air to make a noise much like popping your knuckles or it can be a sign of degenerative arthritis where the bones (vertebrae) in the neck are rubbing against each other. Consult with a physician and xrays would be helpful if you are concerned and/or have pain.

Question 2

why does my neck crack exactly?

Accepted Answer

Joint surfaces move: Cracking a joint moves the parts of the joint, with the cracking noise coming from cartilage surfaces sliding, from movement of a little air-space from one place in the joint to another, or from some other non-traumatic event. A person with no joint pains before or after cracking a joint is probably not damaging the joint. A doctor should evaluate any pain or stiffness associated with cracking.

Question 3

is it true that it's bad to crack your neck?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Under normal circumstances, but in general i would advise against active, aggressive manipulation of your neck.

Question 4

neck cracks when i lift weights should i stop?

Accepted Answer

No pain, no problem: Cracking of your joints including the neck/back has not been shown to have any ill effect as long as in doing so it is not causing you any pain. Lifting weight basically pulls on the muscles of your neck and that can cause cracking--quite common. If you have significant pain/stiffness that is adversely affecting your life/work/sleep etc...Consult your doc for an evaluation. Good luck.

Question 5

neck feels like it needs to be cracked what do u do?

Accepted Answer

Crack neck??: You can go to either a chiropractor or osteopathic physician who are qualified to do neck manipulation after having an x-ray to rule out pathology/contraindications to that procedure.  Might also consider acupuncture.

Question 6

how harmful for your health is it to crack your neck?

Accepted Answer

Depends on : Who's doing it. If you're doing it yourself, probably not a good idea, because doing it chronically will loosen your neck joint ligaments and worsen the problem. If done by a skilled manual medicine practitioner should be ok. Once in a great while, especially in older people this can lead to vertebral artery dissection.

Question 7

is it unhealthy to crack your neck? how can i get myself to stop?

Accepted Answer

Potentially: If you crack it out of nervousness, it may be a bad habit. Do not force it to crack. Increasing your stretching to the neck, forward/backward, side to side and in small circles, will likely reduce this need. Other options include seeing a chiropractor or osteopathic dr.

Question 8

is it possible to damage your neck by trying to crack it too much?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: I would not "crack" your neck.  This could lead to damage over time.  A consultation with a reputable chiropractor may be a better option for spinal manipulation.

Question 9

i cracked my neck this morning and now i can barely move it! what do i do?

Accepted Answer

Neck pain: consider it an acute strain. RICE
rest ice, compression and elevation, so for the neck ice the area for 10 minutes every 30minutes. Ibuprofen with food may help

Question 10

what could cause my neck to always feel like it needs to crack if i stretch it feels better for a sec then goes back to normal what can i do to fix it?

Accepted Answer

Chiro, DO or TMJ: The cause/source of your neck issue is important.  Don't crack your neck yourself.  You should consult a chiropractor to evaluate the problem.  Sometimes an adjustment from the chiropractor or a do may not hold, and your bite may not allow it to.  So a tmj/tmd specialist may also have to help. Working with other professionals certainly increases your chances of eliminating or diminishing your issu.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Crack your neck safely

A member asked:

What causes my neck to crack?

A member asked:

Why does my neck crack exactly?

A member asked:

Is it true that it's bad to crack your neck?

A member asked:

Neck cracks when i lift weights should i stop?

A member asked:

Neck feels like it needs to be cracked what do u do?

A member asked:

How harmful for your health is it to crack your neck?

A member asked:

Is it unhealthy to crack your neck? how can i get myself to stop?

A member asked:

Is it possible to damage your neck by trying to crack it too much?

A member asked:

I cracked my neck this morning and now i can barely move it! what do i do?

A member asked:

What could cause my neck to always feel like it needs to crack if i stretch it feels better for a sec then goes back to normal what can i do to fix it?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?