Neck Cracking - Benefits and Risks

4/29/2020 Neck Cracking: Benefits and Risks
Neck Cracking: Is It Safe or Should

I Stop?
Medically reviewed by William Morrison, MD on May 11, 2017 — Written by
Tim Jewell
How it works Benefits Risks See your doctor

Takeaway
Caution is key
Cracking your joints is a common habit. Many of us do it. We
crack our knuckles, fingers, toes, backs, and even our necks.
But not everyone does it for the same reason. Some of us do it
to release pressure that we’re feeling in our shoulders or neck
or as a reaction to stress. Sometimes it’s just a matter of habit.
But is there actually any benefit to cracking your neck? The

answer is yes and no. Cracking your neck gently or only
cracking it occasionally won’t cause you any harm, but doing it
incorrectly, too frequently, or too forcefully can actually cause
more pain or discomfort than you felt before you cracked your
neck.
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Keep reading to learn more about the potential risks, what’s
happening when you try to crack your own neck, and when to
https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-cracking#takeaway 1/15
seek help.
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What makes that cracking or popping

sound?
When you crack your neck or any joint in your body, the
capsules around your joint are stretched. These capsules
contain fluid, and stretching them allows the fluid to put less
pressure on the joint.
As the pressure decreases, the fluids in the joint turn to gas.

When the fluid becomes gas, it makes a popping noise. This
process is known as either boiling or cavitation, and it usually
isn’t harmful.
In the caseAof your neck, you have several sets of joints called
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facet joints. These joints are located on each side of your neck.
When you crack your neck, the facet joints stretch, which lets
fluid spread out in the joint capsule. Once the fluid becomes
gas, your neck joints pop. This is what makes neck cracking
feel like it’s releasing pressure from your neck area.
An alternate theory suggests that the cracking sound is

produced by a bubble being created in the joint.
Is there any benefit to cracking your neck?

Although cracking your neck can benefit you in a few ways,
you should always talk to your doctor or chiropractor before
doing so. They can advise you on whether it’s safe for you and
recommend other options for relief.
One study showed that having your neck cracked by a

chiropractor can have a positive mental effect. That’s because
many people associate cracking sounds with the release of
pressure and successful adjustment of a joint.
In some cases, just hearing the cracking sound can make

someone feel better, even if no pressure was released or the
joint wasn’t even fully or successfully adjusted. This is known
as a “placebo effect.”
Cracking your neck also releases endorphins in the area of

your neck joints. Endorphins are produced by your pituitary
gland and are released by your body to help manage pain. 
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When you crack your neck, endorphins are released in the
area. This gives you a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure.
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How risky is it to crack your neck?

Cracking your neck can be harmful if you don’t do it correctly or
if you do it too often.
Cracking your neck too forcefully can pinch the nerves in your
neck. Pinching a nerve can be extremely painful and make it
difficult or impossible to move your neck. Cracking your neck
too hard can also strain the muscles around your joints and the
joints themselves. When your muscles or joints become
strained, moving your neck can feel like a chore.
Feeling like you need to crack your neck a lot may be a result
of hypermobility. This is when your joint has a larger range of
motion than normal. When you give in to the urge to crack your
neck a lot, the ligaments in your joints can get permanently 
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stretched. This is called perpetual instability. When this
happens, your neck joints are more at risk of developing

osteoarthritis.
Your neck is home to many important blood vessels. In some

cases, cracking your neck too hard or too often can puncture
one of these blood vessels. It can also cause blood clotting,
which can be dangerous as it blocks blood flow to your brain.
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Should I seek chiropractic care?

If you crack your neck regularly but don’t feel any sort of
constant pain or discomfort, you likely don’t need to seek
chiropractic or any other kind of medical care.
But if you’re cracking your neck frequently and never seem to

feel satisfied, you may need to get your joints realigned. This
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
can help you feel less of an urge to crack your neck all the
time.
You should also see your doctor or chiropractor if:
you begin to notice any unusual swelling in your neck, as

this can be a sign of fluid buildup, injury, or infection
you start to feel pain in your neck joint, especially chronic

pain that doesn’t have any noticeable cause
your joints are starting to become less mobile because of
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age or a condition like osteoarthritis
A chiropractor can help manipulate your joints to make sure

they’re aligned, which can prevent the feeling of pressure or
pain that makes you want to crack your neck.
They can also give you advice on how to change your lifestyle,
such as exercising or losing weight, to minimize neck pressure
or pain. They may also give you tips on how to treat your neck
at home. This can include how to use heat or cold on your neck
to reduce pain or swelling.
To find a chiropractor, ask your doctor to refer you to a

specialist in your network. Your healthcare provider may also
provide an online specialist locator so that you can search for
your own chiropractor.
Your health insurance may cover a chiropractor, but it’s best to

check your insurance to see what the cost of a specialist is.
DependingAon how much your insurance will cover, seeking a
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chiropractor can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few
thousand dollars.
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The bottom line

Neck cracking, especially when it’s done right and not too
often, can make you feel good by releasing pressure in your
joints. But if you’re doing it a lot and feeling constant pressure
or pain, see your doctor or a chiropractor. They can help
diagnose and fix any underlying issues that may be
contributing to your discomfort.
Asking your doctor or chiropractor about how to crack your

neck properly can help you make sure you do it right and

prevent anyA Dlong-term
V E R T I S E M E N T damage to your neck joints and the
surrounding tissues, muscles, and nerves.
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4/29/2020 Neck Cracking: Benefits and Risks

Neck Cracking: Is It Safe or Should

How it works Benefits Risks See your doctor

But is there actually any benefit to cracking your neck? The

What makes that cracking or popping

As the pressure decreases, the fluids in the joint turn to gas.

An alternate theory suggests that the cracking sound is

Is there any benefit to cracking your neck?

One study showed that having your neck cracked by a

In some cases, just hearing the cracking sound can make

Cracking your neck also releases endorphins in the area of

How risky is it to crack your neck?

happens, your neck joints are more at risk of developing

Your neck is home to many important blood vessels. In some

Get Answers from a Doctor in Minutes, Anytime

ASK A DOCTOR NOW

Should I seek chiropractic care?

But if you’re cracking your neck frequently and never seem to

You should also see your doctor or chiropractor if:

you begin to notice any unusual swelling in your neck, as

you start to feel pain in your neck joint, especially chronic

A chiropractor can help manipulate your joints to make sure

To find a chiropractor, ask your doctor to refer you to a

Your health insurance may cover a chiropractor, but it’s best to

The bottom line

Asking your doctor or chiropractor about how to crack your

surrounding tissues, muscles, and nerves.

Looking for topical CBD?

READ THIS NEXT

How to Treat Neck Pain

Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is common. Although it

A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It

Whiplash occurs when a person's head moves backward and

Fixing Upper Back and Neck Pain

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, RN, CRNA

It’s an avoidable slouch that causes much upper back, neck,

People with hypermobile joints are able to extend them

Stretches to Loosen Your Trapezius

Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, MS, NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-

The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers

If you experience muscle spasms as a symptom of fibromyalgia,

5 Neck Exercises for Arthritis

Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DBT

Stretching and strengthening exercises can help keep your

Understanding Neck Spasms

Stretches to Do at Work Every Day

Neck and shoulder pain are common in sedentary jobs. Get

Get our wellness newsletter

Enter your email

Your privacy is important to us

About Us Health Topics

Health News Contact Us

Advertise With Us Advertising Policy

Find An Online Doctor Do Not Sell My Info

© 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. All rights

informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical

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