Sengkang: 6284 4878 | 9817 2361
Toa Payoh: 6226 0829 | 9827 3139
Potong Pasir: 6241 2124 |
 9837 2385
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Sengkang: 6284 4878 | 9817 2361
Toa Payoh: 6226 0829 | 9827 3139
Potong Pasir: 6241 2124 | 9837 2385

Neck Cracking: Is It Safe or Should I Stop?

Cracking Your Own Neck

We’ve all seen people "crack" their necks to try to relieve pain or stiffness. Some of us do it to release the pressure or tension that we’re feeling in our shoulders or neck. Sometimes it’s a matter of habit, just like how we crack our knuckles. When you crack your neck, the action releases gas or fluid from the joints surrounding the neck. The cracking usually makes you feel better temporarily. However, it doesn’t alleviate the underlying problem.

What Makes the Popping or Cracking Sound in my Neck?

This sound is caused by the release of gas from between the spinal segments that naturally occur in the spaces of the joints. 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 will turn to gas, hence getting a popping noise.

But those cracking sounds that you hear when you self-adjust are just releases of air pockets and this does not correct the misalignment in your spine. The correction of a subluxation (dysfunction within the spine ) is not merely just popping a joint. When getting a proper Chiropractic adjustment, the Chiropractor is able to locate the dysfunctional and subluxed joint through examination and adjust it in a way that is comfortable and safe. Chiropractic is all about making sure the signals and communication between your brain and body is doing well, so that your body functions as it was designed to. But when you crack or twist own neck and back, there is no control as to which joint you are targeting and often results in normal joints being popped.

A chiropractor may also advise you on how to change your lifestyle, such as exercising or maintaining a moderate weight, to minimize neck pressure or pain. They may also give you tips on how to treat your neck at home.

Risks of Cracking Your Own Neck

Cracking your neck can be harmful if you don’t do it correctly. It may cause:

  • pinched nerve
  • wear and tear on the vertebrae
  • strain muscles around the joint
  • hypermobility due to overstretched ligaments

Alternative Methods to Relief Neck Pain

Many people experience neck pain because of poor posture and muscle strain. If you have minor neck pain or stiffness, avoid cracking your own neck and take these simple steps to relieve it:

  • Apply ice for the first few days to reduce inflammation
  • Take a few days off from sports, activities that aggravate your symptoms, and heavy lifting. When you resume normal activity, do so slowly as your symptoms ease.
  • Practice good posture.
  • Exercise your neck every day. Slowly stretch your head in side-to-side and up-and-down motions. You can also watch this video to learn some simple neck stretches from Dr Jessie Lim.
Suzanne Sim
Suzanne Sim
2022-04-26
Visited Dr Jason on 6th March 2022 due to acute back pain where I cannot even stand, sit, sleep and walk properly. During my first visit I had to borrow my mom’s walking stick in order to walk, and I needed someone to help me up when I was sitting down. After the first 2 sessions, my pain eased greatly and I can sit/sleep better and I can walk freely without the help of the walking stick. After 9 sessions with Dr Jason, I can say that everything is pretty much well and I’m back to my usual self. So thankful towards Dr Jason!
Aaron Pasaoa Lee
Aaron Pasaoa Lee
2022-03-29
Live Well Chiropractic, from front desk staff to the Doctors everyone is so welcoming and accommodating. Service is impeccable and staffs were on point every time I drop by to visit. Booking appointment was a breeze because of the WhatsApp function they have which made communication seamless. My chiropractor was Dr. Kenney. One I would recommend besides Dr Jessie. Attention to detail and precise with all the adjustments. I will definitely go back to them for spine health and any injuries related. Thank you for taking care of me.
Ang Yew Yee
Ang Yew Yee
2022-03-26
I came here to relief my bad back and after the sessions, it gets better and better. The staffs are friendly and the doctors are professional! 😀
John Lam
John Lam
2022-03-25
Staff at Live Well are friendly and accomdating to my schedule when I need to reschedule my appointment. I came in with constant shoulder and neck ache accompanied with tension headache, and lower back ache. Dr Kenny has been providing adjustments for my spine, and given me the knowledge on maintaining a good posture and stretching exercises. Now, my shoulder, neck ans lower back ache episodes have decrease, and I have lesser tension headaches. Live Well Chiropractic is definitely recommended for people who suffer from musculoskeletal aches and pain.
Anne Atienza
Anne Atienza
2022-03-23
Very cozy and clean! All staffs friendly and approachable. I had a bad back pain after I give birth ,seriously pain to the point I can’t blend my body or carry my baby and Dr Jessie helps me ya now I’m better so much relief after a few sessions. 👍👍👍
Teresa Ong
Teresa Ong
2022-02-08
Thanks to Dr Jason, after 3 months of adjustment to my upper back my headaches are gone, I also had better quality sleep, and had more energy throughout the day.
Eng Cher Heng
Eng Cher Heng
2022-02-06
Dr Jason is very experienced and i trust him to treat my condition which has improved tremendously over the past 9 months. I have multiple disc degeneration causing pins and needles with my fingers. Seeing him regularly helps to keep my neck, spine in good condition, alleviating symptoms that i used to face.
Kelvin Quek
Kelvin Quek
2022-01-26
I woke up one morning (4 years ago) in pain and unable to turn my neck, after sleeping in a bad posture. Usually this takes 1-2 weeks to recover on its own. Desperate and in so much discomfort, I decided to give Chiropractic a try, and visited Dr Jason (now in Live Well Chiropractic). To my surprise, all it took was just one treatment from him and I had instant relief! Ever since, I have been regularly going to Dr Jason for the past 4 years. The frequencies of my bad neck aches lessened significantly and my posture has also improved tremendously. Friendly, very experienced, reliable and most importantly effective! I will definitely recommend Dr Jason to anyone who wants to give Chiropractic a try and I am convinced that you will be the next one giving him a great testimony like myself 😊
Irene Tee
Irene Tee
2022-01-25
I have been going to chiro with Dr Jason for more than 8 years, from treatment stage to maintenance stage now. I was in really bad shape, the pain in my lower back was so severe that I couldn’t even sit for more than 5 minutes without feeling pain as my protruding disc was pressing on my nerves. I tried TCM treatments and physiotherapy. These treatments didn’t work for me. I am grateful that I found Dr Jason. He was friendly and patient, taking the time to understand my condition, saw my x-rays and MRI scan. He told me that my condition could be improved. No hard selling. For the first few weeks, I had to go for treatments more regularly. My condition improved very quickly that the number of times I needed to go for treatments every week reduced. Now, I no longer feel pain when I sit for long periods of time! He is the number 1 doctor that I go to for any body pain. When my wrist and elbow hurt, he could feel the slightest misalignments and adjusted them back in place for me. Thank you Dr Jason! :)

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