Is it safe to crack my neck?

Lots of us will feel a  sense of relief when our neck clicks after a stressful day at work, but do you really understand the possible risks from doing this too often?

When you click your neck, you are only targeting the more mobile joints, not the ones which are really “stuck”. This is why you still feel the repeated need to do it. Clicking your neck will not solve the underlying cause to your stiffness, but can give you some temporary relief.

When done in moderation, there can be some benefits to cracking you neck. For a lot of people, cracking their neck can relieve pain and stiffness. In some cases circulation can also be improved. However there are also risks associated with clicking your neck.

Most of the time, when you click your neck (or any other joint in your body), you’re not moving the joints, but instead popping small pockets of gas which form in the joint space. This in itself is not damaging, however, forcibly clicking joints increases the pressure being placed through them and can overstretch surrounding ligaments, leaving the joint unstable, increasing the risk of cartilage wearing down. This can then lead to osteoarthritis, and subsequent increases in stiffness. Cracking your neck too forcefully can also lead to nerves becoming impinged- this can be extremely painful, and can sometimes prevent you from being able to move your neck. Cracking you neck too foricbly has also been linked to an increase in your risk of serious medical episodes including blood clots and strokes. This is due to the important blood vessels that run through the different parts of your neck, to and from your brain and other vital organs.

The bottom line

Cracking your neck can feel good, both physically and mentally, and it is fairly common to get some clicking with movement. But forcibly clicking your neck could be doing you more harm than good. It is never advised that you try to forcibly click your neck at home, because of the risk of serious injury. If you feel the need to regularly click your neck, or feel or constant feeling of pressure or pain, you should seek the advice of a healthcare professional.

This blog post is not designed to replace a full assessment or treatment from qualified healthcare professional. If you are experiencing neck pain and stiffness, and would like to discuss your own condition or to book an appointment, contact us.