Khaberni - While neck cracking may provide immediate relief, doctors warn that it can be costly. Repeated or excessive neck cracking may damage blood vessels and increase the risk of having a stroke by disrupting blood flow to the brain. Experts advise looking for safer alternatives, such as gentle stretching, correcting body posture, or physical therapy, to relieve long-term neck pain.
Do you often crack your neck to relieve stress or stiffness? Although common among many, you may not realize its serious consequences. While it provides temporary relief, experts point out that it may increase the risk of very serious conditions, such as a stroke.
Why can cracking your neck be dangerous?
The cracking sound you may hear when rotating your neck or stretching it involves synovial joints. These joints are encapsulated in fluid-filled capsules, which facilitate movement and sliding between adjacent bones. When synovial joints extend beyond their normal range, negative pressure inside the capsule leads to the rapid release of gases dissolved in the synovial fluid.
Doctors warn that the potential danger of neck cracking could stem from the anatomy of this part of the body, which contains critically important arteries, including the vertebral and carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain. Among the things that happen during neck cracking:
Arterial dissection
This involves a sudden and strong twisting or moving of the neck, which may lead to a small tear in the inner lining of one of these arteries.
Blood clot formation
A blood clot may form at the site of the tear.
Stroke
If this blood clot moves and travels to the brain, it may obstruct blood flow and cause an ischemic stroke. This is a leading cause of strokes in young people, or those under the age of fifty.
Safer alternatives to neck cracking
To break this dangerous and compulsive habit, it is important to find safer alternatives. If you frequently feel the urge to urinate due to muscle tension or poor body posture, you need to change your lifestyle. From a sedentary lifestyle to an active lifestyle, it may be important to change the way you sit, stand, or even walk. According to experts, those who spend long hours looking at mobile phones or computer screens suffer from muscular imbalances that cause excessive pressure on the neck joints.
Some of the best alternatives to stop cracking your neck include adjusting its comfortable settings, keeping screens at eye level, and maintaining an upright sitting posture to significantly reduce stress. Other options you can try include:
Gentle stretching exercises
Try incorporating light neck rolls, chin tucks, and side stretches into your routine.
Posture correction
Ensure a comfortable working environment at your desk and maintain good posture to reduce chronic pressure.
Heat or cold therapy
Always try using a warm towel or ice pack to alleviate muscle stiffness.
Consult a doctor
If you are suffering from chronic and persistent neck pain or a frequent urge to crack your neck, consult a doctor, licensed physical therapist, or chiropractor for an appropriate diagnosis and safe treatment plan.
