HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Is it bad if i can crack my neck without using my hands?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Kornelis Poelstra answered

Specializes in Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Neck cracking: Many people do this, for temporary stress relief in the neck. It is most likely some gas escape into the fluid indise of the facet joints in the neck, or some tendons rubbing across the spine. There is no good evidence that this is bad for you, although intuitively, it might not be the best thing to do all the time.

Dr Bowen agreed

Answered 4/23/2018

4.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

My girlfriend cracks her neck using her hands. It makes a loud pop, and often causes jolting "shock" sensations down her arms. She says it helps neck pain. Is there a chance this could be damaging?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

28y.O. Female; decreased thirst; numbness to arms/hands; neck bothersome and feels need to be cracked or for a massage. Symptoms related?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I am experiencing neck, back and wrist aches, this has been on and off for months. When it comes on I feel like I need to frequently crack my wrists. When it happens it's very uncomfortable. What could this be?

7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have really bad pain in my hands neck and lower back after an orgasam what causes this?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I had a pimple on the nape of my neck and it popped by itself. Is it bad that I washed my hands and deluted some dial antibacterial soap and put it on my pimple, then rinsed it and dried? I know its not recommended but is that fine to my health ? ?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Is it necceseraly bad for your health if you crack your neck, hands, etc?
Is it bad to crack your joints? Like fingers, wrist, neck and your back?
My left arm hurts from my neck to my fingers. Soulder and wrist crack badly and sometimes my fingers swell up, go cold and blotchy. Anti-inflammatory gel seems to help. Causes?
Why do I feel electric shocks in my hands when I crack my neck sometimes?
My hands have been red for a few days. They have also been extremely dry and cracked. I used Bag balm on my hands to help with the dryness. They broke out which is weird because Ive used Bag Balm on my face and neck with no problems before?

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
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.