You might be itching to crack your neck when you feel the slightest discomfort or pain in the area. Maybe cracking your neck is out of habit. You may think that it’s perfectly safe and an effective way to relieve tension since you’ve been doing it for quite some time. However, the surprising truth is that it can make your neck pain worse.
Have you seen those ASMR chiropractor videos where you hear cracking, popping sounds? You probably thought, “Oh, that sounds relaxing.” Well, chiropractic adjustments do not involve pain. Without the help of a chiropractor, making these adjustments by yourself at home is dangerous for your spine and health.
This article will touch on why you should get help from a chiropractor for neck pain in Escondido instead of cracking your neck for pain relief.
The Reason Your Neck Makes a Cracking Noise
The neck is a fine part of the body, made from several bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that allow the head to stabilize and move in any direction. In addition, the joints in the neck are covered by a lubricating agent called synovial fluid. This fluid is vital in preventing the joints and bones from rubbing against each other. The reason why your neck creates a cracking sound is cavitation or the forming of carbon dioxide and nitrogen bubbles in the fluid.
Some conditions can also result in the popping sound in the neck. For example, osteoporosis, which can weaken the neck joints, can lead to cracking noise. Issues in the ligaments due to bony projections or misalignments are another possible reason. Lastly, neck injuries sustained from strenuous activities or accidents can produce cracking sounds. If you had any form of trauma to your head or neck before your neck pain, you should get help from a chiropractor for neck pain in Escondido.
Why It’s Dangerous to Crack Your Neck on Your Own
When you experience excess stress, your neck might tense up, giving you an urge to pop it. However, if you continuously crack your neck for relief or habit, you might be damaging its components. Regularly popping your neck makes you vulnerable to these conditions:
1. Stroke
Two years ago, news broke out involving a 28-year-old man who experienced a stroke following cracking his neck. According to the news report, the man from Oklahoma had been feeling neck discomfort. So, he tried stretching his neck. However, when he heard a pop, he “couldn’t walk straight.” While this event is rare, it’s not necessarily isolated. Also, in 2019, a 23-year-old woman from the UK experienced a stroke that left the woman paralyzed on her left side.
Cracking your neck can tear the surrounding blood vessels in the neck, causing the arteries to bleed out, resulting in blood clots. The blood clots can disrupt the circulation to the brain and lead to a stroke.
If you regularly pop your neck or if you know someone who does, immediately seek medical help if you notice the following symptoms following the neck cracking:
- Difficulty speaking
- Poor cognition (focus and comprehension)
- Disorientation
- Blurred vision
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness
- Weakness
2. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder that occurs due to ligament degeneration. When you regularly crack your neck, you accelerate the deterioration of the joints and ligaments in the region. This issue leads to added friction between the bones of the neck, leading to neck pain.
3. Severe neck pain
When you crack your knuckles, you might hear some popping sounds and experience little relief, especially after working with your hands. Many individuals think that cracking their necks whenever they get the chance can relieve their neck pains. However, regularly popping your neck can impact the neck components responsible for movement. As a result, after some time, you might experience stiffness and pain in the neck.
Get The Help of a Trusted Chiropractor for Neck Pain in Escondido
When it comes to neck issues, upper cervical chiropractic should appear in your list of alternative relief. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a medication and surgery-free method to correct misalignments that might be causing your neck pain.
As mentioned earlier, the neck has several components. The two uppermost bones in the neck, otherwise known as the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2) vertebrae, are vulnerable to misaligning. Misalignments in these bones, no matter how small, can result in the following detrimental conditions aside from neck pain:
- Migraines
- Vertigo
- Fibromyalgia
- TMJ disorders
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Lower back pain
- Hypersensitive vision
- Neck stiffness
- Numbness in the limbs
- Persistent headaches
Suppose you live with any of these symptoms or disorders. In that case, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ray Rickards, our chiropractor for neck pain in Escondido.
Here at Rickards Precision Chiropractic & Wellness, we offer proven and tested upper cervical chiropractic care, specifically the Blair technique. You check out our patient testimonials recommending the gentle and accurate techniques Dr. Rickards uses in realigning the neck bones. The proper and correct realignment in the upper cervical spine can encourage the body to heal from the conditions caused by the misalignment.
Schedule an appointment with our office if you want to learn more about how our chiropractor for neck pain in Escondido can give you relief. We can also be reached through our phone number: (760) 745-1511.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Rickards, call our Escondido office at (760) 745-1511. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.