If you’ve ever twisted your head and had a pop, crack, or crunch sound coming from your neck, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Neck crepitus can be startling, but the truth is, these sounds are more prevalent than you’d think. They’re usually harmless most of the time, but sometimes they can signal that something more is brewing in your neck.
Neck crepitus typically occurs when you turn your head and the tendons, joints, or ligaments in your neck move around. When these tissues adjust or snap back into position, you may hear clicking or a pop. With age, cartilage found between the joints of the neck can begin to deteriorate, particularly with conditions such as arthritis, like cervical spondylosis.
When that cushion of bones wears down, it can make the bones rub on each other, creating grinding or crunching noises. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation in the neck facet joints can erode cartilage and make it more likely for crepitus to occur as well.
Air bubbles are also one of the most frequent causes of those cracking noises. When you tilt your head in a particular way, tiny bubbles will form in the joint fluid or small cavities within the joints. Cavitation is what causes the joint to pop, not the explosion of the bubble, but the pressure shift that creates it. Once a joint pops, it normally will not do so again until the pressure has built back up, which tends to take around 20 minutes.
Injuries such as whiplash or other trauma may also cause crepitus. These types of accidents can cause swelling in the muscles and ligaments in your neck or damage to surrounding tissue, so your neck will feel tighter and noisier than normal. Even common habits can contribute. Bad posture—such as slouching over your computer or constantly looking at your phone—can put strain on your neck and cause stiffness, pain, and increased cracking or popping.
In all likelihood, neck crepitus is not a symptom of anything harmful, unless you’re having other symptoms, that is. But if you’re experiencing the cracking every time you move your neck, or if you’re having pain that radiates down your arm, numbness or tingling, dizziness, or if you’ve recently had a neck injury or had surgery on your neck, it’s a good bet to get it looked at. These may be indicative of more severe problems, such as nerve involvement, instability of the spine, or balance problems.
Neck issues don’t necessarily manifest as simple sounds. For example, cervical spine problems can cause dizziness or a feeling of floating, known as cervical vertigo. This type of dizziness is usually associated with neck trauma, arthritis, or chronic poor posture.It might also be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, wobbly, or headaches occurring regularly.
Cervicogenic headaches are another instance—these begin in the neck, usually on one side, and may be brought on by a specific movement or restricted motion range. Such symptoms serve as reminders of how very interrelated your neck wellness is with your overall health.
When you see a medical provider regarding neck crepitus, they’ll first typically take a history of your symptoms and conduct a physical examination. They might also listen to what your neck sounds like when you move it and how well you’re able to turn or tilt your head.
In cases where the symptoms are more frequent or severe, they may refer you for imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, in order to check for such issues as wear on the cartilage, herniated discs, or damage to ligaments.
It just depends on why you have the neck crepitus. If it’s an occasional crack without pain, you likely don’t have to do anything about it. But if it becomes more irritating or happens more often, simple fixes such as putting heat on it, stretching gently, or working in shorter breaks from repetitive motion can fix it. Paying attention to your posture—especially if you’re working at a desk or on your phone a lot—can make a huge difference. Physical therapy is often helpful, too, as it strengthens and stretches the neck muscles to improve support and reduce tension.
Pain and inflammation can often be managed with over-the-counter meds, and some people find relief through massage, chiropractic care, or even acupuncture. In most cases, though, when there is actual instability in the spine, surgery would be required—but that is not usually what happens.
Being diagnosed with neck crepitus is all about being a little more aware of what your body is communicating to you. Pay attention to when the noises occur, what makes them improve or worsen, and if they accompany other symptoms. In most instances, those cracks and pops are simply the ways your neck moves. But if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it—your neck works pretty hard every day, and taking care of it is worth the trouble
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