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.
Vinod Morè
Vinod Morè
2023-07-08
Visits to Livewell Chiropractor SengKang helped me to reduce chronic back and shoulder pain with back posture readjustment together with given home exercise. Dr Chaw Siew Wei expertise to focus on aching points helped to relax tense shoulder.
winnie lee
winnie lee
2023-07-05
I suffered from back pains for quite awhile now and have been visiting Dr Jessie for the past few months. Since then, my condition has improved, no longer have frequent back pains. Highly recommend Dr Jessie, friendly, engaging and professional!
Hong Hui Teo
Hong Hui Teo
2023-07-05
I had suffer lower back slip disc at my L4 bone for 13 years. Way back, i had went to hospital for MRI scan, refer to bone specialist and even tried TCM but non of them work well. Time and money spend in the past but the aching/pain just cannot resolve hence at one point of time i had already given up the hope for my slip disc and have the mind set to just live with the pain forever. Recently, happen to saw Chiropractic Ads in my facebook so i decided to give it a try. Did some research online and found LiveWell Sengkang so decided to give it a last tried. Dr Siew Wei was my chiropractor. After 2 session with Dr Siew Wei, realize my back was not as ache as before and surprisingly my body movement had improved as previously due to the aching/pain my body movement when straightening my back is like having this one to two sec pain/aching lag time whenever i bend down and up to do thing. Somehow, Chiropractic improve my body movement and daily lifestyle so I decided to sign up for a 20 session with Dr Siew Wei to continue maintaining my back ache. Overall, i feel the time and money spend is really worth here as I can really see the result here after 2 session with Dr Siew Wei.
John Cole
John Cole
2023-06-11
Dr Jessie assessment was accurate as per what XRay shows. Her chiropractic skill was amicable and was engaging throughout the process..kudos!
Adrielle Alemania
Adrielle Alemania
2023-06-11
I had an ankle surgery 6 months ago and with a scoliosis, it definitely affected my walking during rehabilitation. And I also suffered from severe back pain. with proper exercises, stretching and Chiropractic treatment with Dr. Jessie. I definitely feel a huge improvement on my walking and there’s lesser back pain. Dr. Jessie is a very well versed Chiropractor, she is also very friendly and tends to every patient with different specific treatment. I had chiro treatment done few years back and this is definitely a better clinic! Also I would like to thank the counter staff for always being flexible with my timing.
Daniel Ng
Daniel Ng
2023-06-09
Made an appt after feeling stiff necks and shoulders. Attended to by Dr Kenney. Recommended to do an x-ray and realised I have cervical neck. Now midway to the treatment and feeling much better. Even the chest tightness I used to have, is also better now (yes, chest tightness or pain can be caused by chiropractic issues). Definitely recommend - most of time, the appt are punctual and treatments are fast.
Vivien Chan
Vivien Chan
2023-06-09
I highly recommend Live Well Chiropractic for their exceptional chiropractic treatment. My doctor, Dr. Kenney Truong is professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate. He has demonstrated an impressive level of expertise and provided effective and timely treatment - successfully addressing both symptoms and root causes of pain. Patient education and empowerment are prioritized, and the clinic has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Overall, my experience has resulted in significant pain relief and improved well-being.
ily a
ily a
2023-06-03
My experience with Livewell has been great! Dr kenney always manage to help me alleviate the pain around my problematic areas. Their prices are reasonable too.
Zi Jie Tham (M字秃Uncle的中年危机)
Zi Jie Tham (M字秃Uncle的中年危机)
2023-05-31
Dr Kenney is very professional and patient. He will check with you any pain and adjust treatment accordingly. There is no pain for doing chiropractic unlike surgery. Though it will take some times to improve body condition progressively.

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