3 reasons your neck cracks so much and when to seek help

Have you stretched your neck and felt or heard a crack? Does your neck crack when you turn your head, like when you look over your shoulder while driving? The sound can be alarming if your neck hasn’t made it before, but it may not be a sign of a major problem. A physical therapist can examine your neck at Performance Rehab. They can let you know what they find, whether treatment is needed and what kind of treatment can help. Don’t hesitate to connect with a professional.

What could make your neck crack?

A few different causes could lead to that sound that your neck has been making. Some causes may be harmless and painless; others are indicative of issues that may need treatment. Some possible answers to “Why does my neck crack so much?” are:

1. Crepitus

The sound may have a cause called crepitus. Crepitus occurs when bubbles of gas in synovial fluid are manipulated. Synovial fluid is a lubricant in the joints of your neck. When you stretch joints quickly, you might hear popping or cracking sounds and feel a pressure change in your neck. Typically, joints that have been cracked cannot crack again for about 20 minutes.

Cracking your neck is not usually damaging in and of itself, but it can be a sign of osteoarthritis. Intentionally cracking your neck may not be safe if you have osteoporosis or a spinal condition. Whether you have one of these conditions or not, cracking your neck aggressively or forcefully may be harmful.

2. Torn cartilage

Cartilage lines the joints throughout your body. It’s a somewhat rubbery type of tissue that cushions joints and forms a few entire structures on its own, like the tip of your nose and the outer parts of your ears.

In osteoarthritis, cartilage is worn away gradually by repetitive motion. This happens to many people over decades. However, this isn’t the only way that cartilage can be damaged. It can also tear during a sudden injury.

3. Joint injuries

Your neck is a series of joints, as is the rest of your spine. A joint injury may cause cracking, clicking, popping or grinding sounds or sensations. It may cause stiffness or swelling. There may be acute pain with a recent injury, or pain that stays constant or ebbs and flows after a past injury that hasn’t healed properly.

If you have had a past neck injury, it may have caused damage that led to today’s cracking noises. It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, try to avoid the motion that causes cracking sounds. Seek medical attention right away if you have severe pain.

Know when to see a physical therapist about your neck

Acute or severe pain does not leave you with much room for questioning; you know that you should see a professional. But what if it doesn’t feel that bad, or you’re not sure?

Let an experienced physical therapist take a look at your neck if:

• Your neck cracking causes or coincides with pain

• You hear or feel your neck cracking frequently

• You have a limited ability to move your head or neck

• You have had a recent fall, accident or surgery

• You have had a past neck injury or surgery

• You feel unusual sensations in your shoulder, arm or fingers

Unusual sensations may include shock-like or burning pain radiating down your arm, but they aren’t limited to pain. They may be painless. Alongside or instead of pain, you may feel numbness, weakness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles feeling. The feeling might remind you of having your foot fall asleep or visiting a dentist for a filling and being given a local anesthetic.

Sensations like these are signs that you might have a damaged or compressed nerve root in your neck. The nerves with roots in your neck lead into your arms, and damage or compression within your neck can cause strange sensations or weakness in your arms and hands. This might be caused by a bone spur, herniated disc or other issue that a doctor can diagnose.

Performance Rehab offers effective physical therapy for neck issues

Treating the problem in your neck with physical therapy may provide relief. At Performance Rehab, our licensed physical therapists can evaluate your neck and create a personalized treatment plan, using gentle stretching exercises and manual techniques designed to restore normal range of motion and reduce pressure on the cervical joints.

Early intervention is key to lasting recovery. Contact us today to explore your options or request an appointment for one of our many clinics in the Kansas City area.