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To relieve stiffness or pain, most people crack their necks. On cracking the neck, the action releases fluid or gas from the joints around the neck. The cavitation or cracking, normally makes you feel good temporarily. However, it does not relieve you from the underlying issue. With so many triggers, it Is not a wonder that approximately 30% of Americans face neck issues each year.

Our own necks are not always so silent and smooth. Instead of that, they release an alarming series of cracks, cricks, outright crunches, and snaps. Mostly, this is harmless and inadvertent. A cracking sound in the neck that is not accompanied by any pain is likely caused by nitrogen bubbles popping in the body.

Reasons Behind Cracking In Neck

There are different types of neck cracking. These are as described below:

1- Arthritis

If your joint is affected by disease arthritis, the cartilage can be devoid of smoothness. When it moves, it can make a noise.

2- Movement

In joint movement, ligaments and tendons are affected, which are fibers that link the muscles and bones in the joint. If, slightly, a tendon moves out of its place, it can result in snapping noise, when it comes back to its original place. In the same way, the ligaments can become tightened when the joint moves which can result in a cracking noise. This will mostly happen in the knee or ankle.

3- Pressure Changes Within Facet Joints

Your facet joints possess a lubricant which is called synovial fluid. This fluid has numerous gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. On the movement of facet joints, the pressure of synovial fluid varies. This change in pressure leads to the formation of gas bubbles to collapse and form. 

As those bubbles collapse and form, you may hear cracking or popping sounds. After the bubbles form and collapse, pressure should build up inside the joints before they form and collapse again. Most research recommends that it takes almost 20 minutes for the internal pressure to reset before you again crack your joints.

4- Performing Neck Cracks

Performing neck cracks incorrectly or too frequently can cause harm. You should avoid cracking your neck too vigorously to avoid pinching your nerves. If you experience a pinched nerve in your neck, you may be unable to move it or find it extremely painful. 

The muscles surrounding your joints and the joints themselves may also be strained if your neck is cracked too hard. It can be hard to move your neck when your joints or muscles are not relaxed. When you feel as though you need to crack your neck frequently, hypermobility may be the cause.

During this condition, your joint has a greater range of motion than it normally would. When you give into the temptation to crack your neck frequently, you may permanently stretch your joints' ligaments.

Osteoarthritis is more likely to develop in neck joints when this occurs. Many important blood vessels are in your neck. A blood vessel can be punctured if you crick in neck too hard or too often. A blood clot can also block blood flow to your brain, which is dangerous.

5- Bones Grinding Together

When you do neck cracking and feel discomfort and pain, bone grinding could be the reason. Cartilage cushions our joints and bones, so they can move freely and smoothly without resulting in pain. However, as we grow old, this cartilage wears off. As a result, our joints and bones are most likely to suffer from grinding against each other. When this happens, you may feel grinding or cracking sounds followed by a limited range of motion or neck discomfort. Cervical arthritis is a common reason behind neck bones grinding.

Should You Crack Your Neck?

Before neck cracking, consult your physician. There are many individuals who are capable of cracking their necks without causing any harm. However, if this activity is performed too frequently or using an incorrect technique, problems can quickly arise. A pinched nerve, strained muscles, or punctured blood vessels may be some of the problems that may arise. The tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in your neck may be further damaged if they are weakened due to injury, aging, or overuse.

Depending on your doctor, you may be able to safely crack your neck with the help of a chiropractor or spine specialist. In addition, you may be able to do so during specific yoga poses that support your surrounding tissues.

Many theories have been proposed linking cracking your neck to arthritis, but the evidence for these theories is mostly anecdotal. Typically, arthritis causes neck cracks as a result of bones grinding against one another. Contrary to this, the cracking sound generated by rolling your neck is likely a result of changes in pressure within the joint fluid. A voluntarily moving neck does not cause the same kind of cracking as an arthritic neck. Furthermore, no correlation exists between arthritis and neck cracking.

When Should You Seek Help If Your Neck Is Cracking A Lot?

Quite often, these sounds are harmless, but some serious medical conditions can also cause these sounds. Car accident injuries, such as whiplash, may cause cervical osteoarthritis. There are usually other symptoms besides neck pain Lancaster in people with these serious issues. When a person has neck cracking along with the following symptoms, it's a sign that they should go with neck pain doctor:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Numbness

• Weakness In arms, shoulders, or hands

How To Stop Cracking And Grinding

If you find yourself persistently cracking your neck or grinding it without relaxation, visit your doctor for neck pain treatment. You can stop grinding and cracking by attending to the underlying causes. The following factors may contribute to your neck cracking frequently:

• Tight muscles

• Joint hypermobility in the neck

• Misaligned joints

Therefore, you should follow the below-mentioned steps to treat these issues:

• Applying ice or heat to tight muscles.

• Realign your joints by visiting a spine doctor or chiropractor

• Maintain a regular schedule of stretching and yoga poses, such as the cobra pose.

• Strengthening Your neck muscles by practicing exercises.

• Enhancing the ergonomics of the workplace.

• Exercising and stretching regularly.

• You should use an orthopedic pillow and mattress that support the natural curvature of your neck.

• Your knees should be slightly flexed while you sleep on your side.

• Scheduling an appointment for massage or acupuncture.

• Aspirin, Aleve, or Advil are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), whose mechanism of action is to release inflammation.

When experiencing neck pain grinding involuntarily, or experiencing a great deal of discomfort, you should consult a physician or a spine and pain specialists. Medical management or treatment is likely to be necessary for a state affecting your joints, bones, or soft tissues.

The Bottom Line

Physically and mentally, neck cracking can be very relaxing. However, if you are doing it frequently and are experiencing constant pain or pressure, it would be wise to consult your physician. Regardless of the cause of your discomfort, they will be able to identify and remedy any underlying problems.