Is It Bad To Crack your Neck. whether you’re walking down the street or sitting at your desk, you may notice someone next to you cracking their neck. It’s common knowledge that cracking your knuckles causes long-term damage, but what about cracking your neck? Is it bad for you? And if so, how do you stop it? Dr. Abeal Abdelaziz, MD, an Orthopedic Surgery resident physician at Beth Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, explains why popping your neck isn’t good for you and what you can do to prevent it.
Does cracking my neck cause damage?
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Studies have shown that cracking your neck doesn’t cause any damage, even if you do it frequently. While there isn’t much danger in cracking your neck, there may be better options to relieve joints and muscle tension without hurting yourself.
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Some experts have warned that cracking your neck may lead to conditions like Parkinson’s disease, but doctors still aren’t entirely sure what causes Parkinson’s. A 2013 study of deceased NFL players who played football for more than 10 years found higher levels of the degenerative brain disease in players who had more severe cases of spinal disc injury and more frequent episodes of spinal disc herniation than in players without those injuries.
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Parkinson’s disease is probably caused by many factors, and it’s likely that genetics plays a role in developing Parkinson’s, just as it does with other complex disorders like heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease, says Dr. Ranit Mishori, professor of family medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine. The way in which an individual cracks their neck is unlikely to lead to Parkinson’s disease.
| 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 |
What about other types of spinal manipulation (like in yoga)
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The thing is, chiropractors are really good at cracking your neck and stretching out your lower back. But there are many other forms of spinal manipulation (like in yoga), and these kinds of spinal manipulation have been proven to be just as effective for pain management as cracking.
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The key to understanding, if spinal manipulation is bad for you, is that it has to be done properly—and by someone who knows what they’re doing.
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With manipulation, it’s important to recognize that there is risk involved with these types of therapies. If you have an underlying medical condition or if you’re experiencing acute pain, then spinal manipulation can cause more harm than good.
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It can lead to complications like stroke and even death—this is especially true for those who have undiagnosed spine conditions, like osteoporosis.
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Of course, it’s important to note that there are many other risks associated with chronic back pain. According to statistics from Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than 80 percent of Americans suffer from some type of lower back pain in their lifetime.
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Unfortunately, more than 90 percent of patients who suffer from acute low back pain never get better and may even get worse over time. In fact, most end up requiring long-term care or even surgery.
When should I avoid cracking my neck?
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There are certain conditions when it’s not safe to crack your neck. Avoid cracking your neck if you have osteoporosis, cervical stenosis, or whiplash, and keep in mind that it may be dangerous to crack your neck if you have any herniated disks, spinal stenosis, or any degenerative disc disease. Always seek medical advice before cracking your neck, especially if you have had an injury.
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Just as there are times you should avoid cracking your neck, there are also some important moments when it’s okay to crack your neck. If you have had whiplash or any other injury to your necks, such as after an accident or fall, it may be safe to crack your neck at certain stages of recovery. Seek advice from a medical professional before beginning any kind of exercise-related to spine health.
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If you feel like you can’t get out of bed without cracking your neck, it may be time to seek medical advice. The most common symptom associated with cervical osteoarthritis is pain or stiffness when moving or turning your head, so if you have been experiencing any of these issues it’s important to visit your doctor.
How do you know if what you’re doing is safe or dangerous
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If you’re thinking about cracking your neck, or if you are currently doing it, there are many things to keep in mind. Don’t try anything described on these pages unless you feel like you know what you’re doing and can do it properly.
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The information on these pages is meant for general knowledge only; people with health problems should consult their doctor before trying any of these methods.
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If you want to try to crack your neck, there are a few things you should know.
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One thing that’s especially important is not to attempt self-treatment for an acute neck injury.
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If you feel something is wrong, seek help. If you want to crack your neck, make sure that you’re doing it correctly—and only when you’re in good health.
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After reading these pages, if you still want to crack your neck, you can talk to your doctor about it. Let them know that you’ve heard that some people have had trouble with cracking their neck, and ask what they think.
So, should I crack my neck at all
Ask your doctor whether it’s right for you. A growing body of research suggests that popping your neck isn’t always as harmless as you might think—in fact, in some cases, it can be downright dangerous.
There’s no doubt about it: If somebody cracks their neck and they’re feeling immediate relief from pain or discomfort, that may give them confirmation bias to crack their neck more, Khanna says. But if they do it repeatedly and there’s no benefit, then that could lead to problems.
I get patients who present with neck pain and I ask them about how often they pop their necks, Khanna says. And if they tell me that they pop it once or twice per week and there’s no benefit, then I suggest stopping. In those cases, sometimes their pain actually gets worse. So definitely don’t do it chronically without a reason.
If you’re someone who tends to crack their neck chronically, then it’s important to see your doctor. They’ll be able to give you advice based on what they find.
What can I do instead of cracking my neck
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There are many effective, safer ways to soothe neck pain than cracking it—all of which are not only less dangerous but also more effective. Consider icing your neck for 15 minutes at a time. Or look into receiving acupuncture therapy.
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It’s all about personal preference, but do yourself (and your body) a favor and avoid cracking whenever possible. A little bit of self-care can go a long way in avoiding future issues down the road!
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Alternatives to cracking your neck include any of these additional methods for relieving stress on your cervical spine:
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- Look into getting acupuncture. Needles placed at certain points in your body can trigger pressure points in other areas, leading to significant pain relief.
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- Consider icing your neck for 15 minutes at a time. Icing reduces swelling and also works as an anti-inflammatory agent.
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- Try heating pads. Heating pads can warm up your neck, relax it, and even help with pain relief.
Is there anything else I should know before I start cracking my neck?
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If you have osteoporosis or brittle bones, avoid it. Osteoporosis or brittle bone disease is when there’s low density in your bones, which makes them prone to cracking or breaking more easily.
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Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed in women who are over 60 and men who are over 70 but can also be diagnosed in younger people who have experienced certain health issues like smoking, stress, or eating disorders that affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.
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If you’re taking blood thinners, refrain from cracking your neck or back because it could cause bleeding that would be difficult to control. An anticoagulant is a medication that helps prevent clots from forming in your veins, making them thinner and easier to break apart. If you take aspirin or are otherwise sensitive to pain, avoid cracking until you’ve consulted with your doctor.
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If you suffer from back or neck pain, visit your doctor before cracking to see if there’s another cause for your pain. Sometimes it’s a pinched nerve, muscle strain, or another condition that should be treated with medication or physical therapy. Since cracking only temporarily relieves pain and doesn’t actually treat any underlying issues, it could make things worse.
Summary
One of our colleagues recently asked whether it’s bad to crack your neck. After giving it some thought, we decided that there are several ways to respond to that question. The most straightforward answer is it depends on what you mean by ‘crack your neck.’ But before we get into that, let’s take a sat what happens when you crack your neck in general. To understand that, we ntep back and lookeed to learn more about two things: joints and muscles.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Everyone wants to know about what happens in the world so here is some knowledge about this article.
Do chiropractors recommend cracking your neck?
Although some might, most don’t. While it’s not considered harmful, there is no compelling evidence that suggests it’s effective. So if you need to relieve tension in your neck, cracking it could make your symptoms worse rather than better. A 2015 review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that cracking one’s back resulted in no obvious therapeutic benefit.
Is cracking your neck safe?
Yes, as long as you don’t do it too much. If you have acute pain or stiffness in your neck, go see your doctor right away—don’t wait. But if you have chronic neck pain that comes and goes, it might be best to let someone else crack it for you. Because there is no data indicating any particular benefit, cracking your own neck carries some risk.
Are there any precautions I should take when cracking my neck?
If you’re going to do it, go slow and use less force than you think you need. But don’t crack your neck too often. And never try to crack your own neck if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (you can ask your doctor for testing). Seek medical care if pain persists.
How long does it take to crack your neck?
Well, that depends on who’s doing it! The average person takes about 60 seconds, but you can use as much time as you need. Just remember: The slower and gentler you are, the more effective it will be.
How often should I crack my neck?
That depends on what’s causing your pain and how long you’ve had it. If you’re healthy, cracking your neck just once in a while shouldn’t cause problems. But if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (you can ask your doctor for testing), be careful. Consult with your doctor before doing any new activity, especially one as provocative as cracking your neck.
Does cracking your neck hurt?
Not if you do it correctly. Although there’s some discomfort, cracking your neck shouldn’t be painful—and if it is, stop and consult with your doctor. Don’t try to force it or go too far.
Do I need to see my doctor before cracking my neck?
No, but it’s always good to get a green light from your doctor, especially if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (you can ask your doctor for testing). Make sure you tell your physician that you plan to crack your neck so they can help determine whether or not it is safe for you.
Should I do anything special after cracking my neck?
No, but you may want to take it easy for a while. Stop and use common sense. Don’t crack your neck too often or too forcefully. And avoid positions that make you uncomfortable or cause pain. If your discomfort persists or worsens, consult with your doctor right away.
Conclusion
At the end of this article, you will successfully like to know that is it bad to crack your neck. So what is cracking your neck? Is it dangerous or not? How many times should we crack our necks in a day and how many times in a week?