29-Dec-2020

Attentiveness is the prime key

Many of us have the common habit of cracking your joints. The most commonly practiced joints are Knuckles, fingers, toes, backs and necks. Roughly people do it for fun as an ongoing habit practicing every second instance and some practice this to release stress and pressure feeling in joints which usually befalls because of prolonged static posture.

However, as it is concerned with Pros and cons of cracking your cervical spine i.e., Neck. The Occasional and gentle cracking of the neck won’t cause any impairment, but doing it recurrently, vehemently or implementing false technique can exaggerate the feeling of ache and uneasiness that you tried to resolve with cracking.

Furthermore, in this blog we have tried to explain to you about more probable risks, the ongoing mechanism in your body when you are cracking your neck on your own and When it is required for you to seek professional help.

Why does a popping sound is heard when you are cracking your neck?

The joints are wrapped in a capsular outer covering known as Joint capsule which contains fluids which is utilized to provide cushioning and resistance to forces acting on the joints. During the course of cracking, the capsule of the neck is stretched which in turn causes the decrease in pressure of fluid on the joint.

As the pressure drops the fluid changes its state to gas in turn causes popping sound in the joint. You will be happy to know that it is not harmful and is a normal process.

Specifically talking about the neck, the structure of vertebral bones in our cervical region comprises zygapophyseal joints on both sides of the vertebras. When you apply the sudden thrust force to crack the joint, these joints stretch which promotes the fluid blowout in the joint capsule. And as discussed above, as the fluid changes its state to gad, the popping sound is heard. Concerning which you feel that the pressure in your neck is released.

There are multiple theories in literature to explain the concept of this popping noise including the cavitation and the production of gas bubbles in the joints etc. but as considering the word constrained, we have discussed the most accepted theory only.

Are there any advantages to cracking your neck?

The cracking of the neck is just one way of adjusting your spinal malalignment and should be performed with top most precautions to prevent potential risks and complications associated with implementation of inappropriate or too forceful techniques. There are a lot many other options available to relieve pain and associated symptoms. Before, undergoing any cracking, you should first talk to a professional expert physiotherapist to better understand the underlying pathology. 

A professional can understand the underlying malalignment and successfully adjust your spine releasing the pressure which in turn will relieve your symptoms. But it is not necessarily the case every time, Sometimes the spine doesn’t get appropriately aligned in one session but the cracking sound heard during the treatment brings a psychological satisfaction and in turn the person feels relieved of all symptoms which is known as “Placebo effect”.

The physiological changes associated with the act of cracking is explained with the release of the natural pain killer endorphins from pituitary gland in your body. The endorphins released in the area of where the cracking is performed again tend to bring the feeling of psychological as well as up to certain extent physiological satisfaction.

Risks associated with Neck Cracking

Here the commonly heard quote comes in my mind “Excessive of everything is harmful”. Neck cracking too forcefully or repeatedly on short intervals can be potentially risky.

Sometimes doing it too frequently causes the cervical ligaments to stretch permanently which in turn causes a perpetual instability. The phenomenon is seen in individuals with hypermobile joints who frequently indulge in cracking their neck repeatedly. This makes your cervical spine more prone to wear and tear ultimately leading to progression of development of osteoarthritic changes.

Secondly, as we know that the body is connected to the brain and the brain is the central controlling unit of the body. The neck region is the whole passage for most of the blood vessels to pass and in course of doing this cracking one can unknowingly puncture a blood vessel causing the decrease in blood flow to the brain tissues which can lead to fatal complications like: Stroke, paralysis or loss of consciousness.

Furthermore, too forceful cracking of the neck can cause soft tissue injuries like muscle strain or impingement of nerves originating from the brachial plexus causing the localised and radiating pain to other parts of the body, usually upper limbs. It can also become a primary cause of exaggerating conditions like cervical radiculopathy.

Do you need physiotherapy treatment?

If you feel slight pain and discomfort and rarely crack your neck for the purpose of feeling relieved and feels absolutely fine after doing the same. then you can ignore and carry on.

However, if you are indulged in frequently cracking your neck multiple times in a day and then even not feeling comfortable. You need to consult your physiotherapist for a detailed assessment and a customized plan of treatment which can include the realignment of your neck as a part of it.

The common symptoms in your neck when you should immediately see your physiotherapist are:

• Consistent pain without any perceptible cause
• Uncommon swelling which might be because of fluid buildup or injury due to inappropriate cracking.
• Decrease in neck mobility and feeling of stiffness.
• Poor posture or suspected osteoarthritis.

At Makino, we can help you relieve your symptoms, it is not necessary to incorporate neck cracking to every neck condition. After a detailed assessment and diagnosis of the patient it is decided what treatment is to be given and whether the neck cracking is recommended for your condition or not. Other than neck cracking we have tremendous amounts of electrotherapeutic modalities and techniques available to treat your signs and symptoms. So better not to run behind a particular technique keeping your eyes closed.

Furthermore, if neck cracking is required then your joints are well manipulated and appropriately aligned to immediately relieve your signs and symptoms which in turn lowers your urge to self-manipulate the neck so frequently.

As considering the value of time, at Makino we guide you about your condition and explain to you about the estimated cause and precautions required to treat the same. For neck conditions usually posture correction, neck stretching, application of hot/cold depending on the condition are the take away messages for the patients.

Take away message:

• Sometimes doing neck cracking just to relieve pressure & feel psychologically satisfied is all fine.
• Forceful thrust forces or repeated application not suggestive.
• If the symptoms don’t resolve after you do it one or two times. It is recommended to consult your physiotherapist.
• Don’t apply the technique until unless you are well aware of performing the technique correctly.
• Before implementing any technique, you should be well aware of pros and cons and consider the associated risks.

Moreover, we have a chain of centers in Pan India to serve the community with our expert team of physiotherapists. Feel free to contact us and find the solution for your pain and discomfort.