Is it possible for my neck to crack from intentionally bending or twisting it? You won’t suffer arthritis from lightly cracking your neck or from doing so infrequently. However, doing it incorrectly, frequently, or violently can actually make you feel worse. Read the article and know more about the relationship between neck cracking and arthritis.
What Makes That Cracking Or Popping Sound
Your body’s joint capsules are stretched when you crack your neck or any other joint. These capsules contain fluid, and stretching them allows the fluid to put less pressure on the joint.
The fluids within the joint become gas as the pressure drops. A popping sound is produced when the fluid turns into gas. Boiling or cavitation are two terms used to describe this process, which is typically not harmful.
You have several groups of joints called facet joints in your neck. Your neck has these joints on each side. The facet joints in your neck stretch when you crack it, allowing fluid in the joint capsule to spread out. Your neck joints will pop once the liquid turns into gas.
This is why neck cracking gives you the impression that pressure is being released from your neck region.
Neck Cracking: Is It Bad For You
You shouldn’t have to exert any force to crack your neck, and it should never hurt. You are probably harming yourself if cracking your neck hurts or if you have to exert a lot of force.
The numerous blood vessels in that region of your body are harmed if your neck is repeatedly forced to crack. Given that blood is transported to and from the brain through these vessels, you shouldn’t be doing that at all. Your risk of having a stroke can increase if these vessels are damaged.
Along with the risk of strokes, you can also harm someone long-term. Your muscles, tendons, and ligaments won’t be able to support your head up properly if you forcefully crack your neck and overextend them.
Later on, this might set off a chain reaction. Additionally, you don’t want that!
On the other hand, unless there is another underlying condition or injury present in your neck muscles or joints, occasionally cracking your neck shouldn’t pose any real form of immediate danger.
Crack Your Neck And Arthritis
According to studies, there is no harm done when you crack your neck simply for habit or to release tension. The fluid between the synovial joints causes gas bubbles to form and make the audible popping noise.
Numerous studies on the subject have determined that neck cracking is safe because medical literature has demonstrated that cracking the fingers does not result in arthritis.
The Actual Cause
The deterioration of the cartilage that lines the joints in the neck is what leads to neck arthritis, also known as cervical osteoarthritis. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones start to rub against one another, causing pain in the neck similar to other types of arthritis.
Injuries, genetics, physically demanding jobs, and more all have the potential to cause neck arthritis.
When Cracking Causes Concern
Although cracking is not a cause of neck arthritis, pay close attention if the cracking does cause pain, and then reach out to your physician or one of our Atlanta chiropractors for a consult. In addition, if your neck starts to crack following an injury like an accident, call your doctor right away. This cracking noise might be caused by a structural alteration brought on by the injury.
Muscle strains can result from overstretching and extending so as stated before, cracking is not harmful but contorting your neck can cause damage.
How Risky Is It To Crack Your Neck
If you crack your neck incorrectly or too frequently, it could be harmful.
Overly vigorous neck cracking can irritate the neck’s nerves. It may be impossible or extremely painful to move your neck as a result of a pinched nerve.
Excessive neck cracking can also put stress on the muscles that surround your joints as well as the joints themselves. Moving your neck may feel difficult if your muscles or joints are strained.
Hypermobility may be to blame for the feeling that you frequently need to crack your neck. This occurs when a joint’s normal range of motion is exceeded.
Your neck’s ligaments may become permanently stretched if you give in to the urge to crack your neck repeatedly. Perpetual instability is the term for this. You run a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis in your neck joints when this occurs.
Important blood vessels can be found in your neck. In some cases, repeatedly or too forcefully cracking your neck can pierce one of these blood vessels. Additionally, it can lead to blood clotting, which is risky because it prevents blood flow to the brain.
What Actually Causes Neck Arthritis
Cervical osteoarthritis, also known as neck arthritis, is not brought on by cracking your neck, but it is a fairly common condition that can arise as you age.
The condition is brought on by the gradual breakdown of the protective cartilage that lines the joints in your neck. Bone-on-bone grinding happens as the cartilage gradually wears away, which may result in joint pain and swelling.
Neck arthritis may be caused by a combination of genetics, injuries, and physically demanding employment. No amount of neck-cracking will hasten the process.
Crack Your Neck With Carefulness
Although moving your neck in a “cracking” motion is not dangerous for people with arthritis, it is advised to see a doctor if doing so causes pain or swelling or if the sound is produced repeatedly.
Additionally, you ought to see a doctor if your neck started to creak following a collision, a fall, or any other traumatic injury. Your neck may have undergone a structural change as a result of the trauma, which requires treatment, as indicated by the cracking noise you hear.
Although the forming/collapsing of air bubbles in synovial fluid, the most likely cause of the occasional neck-cracking sound, is not harmful, you may still want to stop doing the repetitive neck bending or twisting that causes it.
If you forcefully stretch your neck beyond its normal range of motion, you risk injuring your muscles with strains or sprains.
If you’re unsure as to whether or not your neck cracking is a problem, you can always ask your doctor or chiropractor about it. Your peace of mind might be enhanced by their expert judgment.
The Bottom Line
Physically and psychologically, neck cracking can make you feel good.
Conversely, if you’re doing it frequently and experiencing pressure or pain all the time, see a doctor. Any underlying problems that might be causing you discomfort can be identified and treated with their assistance. Therefore, you should be careful when cracking your neck.
