Why Does it Feel So Good to Crack My Neck?

It’s something that you become more familiar with as you get older. You wake up in the morning with a kink in your neck or you start to get aches and pains when you’re sitting at your desk. Cracking your neck can feel really good, and if it produces a sound, it can be pretty satisfying too. But why does it feel so good to crack your neck? And is it something that you should be doing? Is it bad for your neck or is it ok to continue to do it? This post explores why it feels satisfying to crack your neck and whether you need to do anything about it.

Why Does Your Neck Crack?

Your bones cracking is a perfectly normal thing to happen. People used to say that cracking your bones would cause conditions such as arthritis, but there isn’t much evidence to suggest this is true. Cracking your bones doesn’t usually hurt, and it can often feel good, although not everyone likes the sound of it. Lots of joints can crack, including your neck, and it can help to temporarily relieve pain or tension.

What about the noise that’s created when you crack a joint? The noises you hear can be created by a few different things. They are most likely to be gases escaping from your joints. You might also hear sounds caused by ligaments or tendons snapping into place when you move your joint. If you have arthritis, a lack of cartilage might make your bones rub together more and create a noise.

Why Does It Feel Good?

So why does it feel good to crack your neck? It’s most likely that it feels good to crack your neck because it relieves tension. Cracking your neck can feel good because it releases tension in the joints and muscles of the neck, which can improve range of motion and decrease pain. If tension has built in your neck from sleeping in a bad position or hunching over a desk, cracking it can help to make it feel better. Just like having a good stretch feels good, so can cracking your joints. However, it’s important to note that excessive cracking of the neck can lead to damage of the joints and ligaments over time. It’s also important to consult a Chiropractor if you are experiencing chronic pain or discomfort in your neck.

Is It Safe to Crack Your Neck?

While cracking your neck may provide temporary relief from tension, it is not always safe to do so. In some cases, excessive neck cracking can lead to injury or damage to the joints and ligaments in the neck. Additionally, if you have certain underlying medical conditions or have had a neck injury in the past, cracking your neck may not be safe.

It’s also important to understand that neck cracking is not a substitute for proper neck exercises and stretching, which are essential for maintaining good neck health. If you have chronic neck pain or discomfort, it is best to consult with Chiropractor to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

In general, it is not harmful to crack your neck occasionally, but it should not be done excessively or as a habit. While it might feel good, your spine and the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding your neck and back are delicate and complex. It’s best to have your neck and back “cracked” by a professional.

How a Chiropractor Can Help?

Chiropractor treatments offer a safer option if you want to have your neck cracked. If you want to deal with the aches and pains of everyday life, regular chiropractic adjustments can help. They help to correct misalignments in your spine and can relieve tension and pain. At Vida, we also offer massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and other treatments that can help to improve the function of your joints and muscles.

Cracking your neck can feel great, but it’s not such a good idea to do it yourself. Vida Integrated Health can help you to do it in a healthier way with chiropractic care and more.