In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about neck crunching and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Introduction
Hearing a crunching, popping, or grinding sound (neck noises) or grinding noise in your neck when you roll your head is a common experience. For many, these noises—known as crepitus—can be alarming, especially if they are accompanied by neck pain or stiffness. While neck crunching is often harmless, it can sometimes signal underlying issues that require attention. Understanding the causes, when to seek help, and the most effective treatments can help you maintain a healthy, pain-free neck.
What Causes Neck Crunching and Popping?
- Gas Bubbles: The most common cause of neck crunching is the formation and collapse of tiny air bubbles in the synovial fluid of your neck joints. Air escaping from the joint capsule during neck movement can also produce cracking sounds and popping sounds. This is similar to the sound you hear when cracking your knuckles and is usually harmless [1].
- Ligament or Tendon Movement: As you move your neck, ligaments or tendons may shift position and snap over bony structures, creating a clicking or popping sound. Ligaments and tendons, as well as other connective tissues and soft tissues, can produce a snapping sound or snapping sounds as the neck moves.
- Joint Degeneration: Age-related changes, such as osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis, can cause rough bone surfaces in the neck joints, leading to grinding sounds, cracking noises, or crunching noises, often accompanied by neck pain or stiffness [2]. Degeneration of the neck’s facet joints and facet joints can also contribute to these symptoms by causing bone surfaces to become irregular, resulting in additional grinding sounds and cracking noises.
- Previous Injury: Past trauma or whiplash can alter the mechanics of the neck, making crepitus more likely.
- Poor Posture: Prolonged poor posture, especially from looking down at phones or computers, can strain neck muscles and joints, increasing the likelihood of both pain and crunching sounds.
The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae, and age related degeneration, disc degeneration, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative changes in neck anatomy can all be underlying causes of neck arthritis, neck crepitus, and various neck noises. Understanding the causes of neck crunching involves considering both the structure and movement of the neck, including the role of the neck’s facet joints, ligaments and tendons, connective tissues, and soft tissues during neck movement.
Is Neck Crunching Dangerous?
In most cases, neck crunching is not dangerous if it is not accompanied by pain, swelling, or neurological symptoms. However, if you experience persistent neck pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or headaches, it is important to seek medical advice. Medical attention is especially important if other concerning symptoms or troubling symptoms, such as weakness or nerve pain, accompany the neck crunching. If symptoms accompany the neck crunching, such as severe pain, numbness, or other neurological signs, prompt evaluation is necessary. Conditions like spinal instability or a herniated disc may require treatment and should not be ignored. These symptoms may indicate nerve compression, disc problems, or other serious conditions that require prompt evaluation [3].
How Is Neck Pain Diagnosed?
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is essential for persistent or severe neck pain. Diagnosis may include:
- Detailed medical history and physical examination
- Imaging tests (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) to assess joint health, help identify degenerative joint disease as a potential cause of neck pain and crunching, and rule out serious conditions
- Blood tests if infection or inflammatory conditions are suspected
At ProHealth Clinic, we use a patient-centred approach to identify the root cause of your neck pain and tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
Treatments for Neck Pain and Crunching
Treating neck crepitus involves tailoring management strategies to the underlying cause, which may include both conservative approaches and medical interventions aimed at reducing symptoms and improving joint stability.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises and stretches to improve neck strength, flexibility, and posture [4].
- Manual Therapy: Techniques such as massage or gentle spinal mobilization to relieve muscle tension and improve joint mobility.
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help reduce pain. NSAIDs and steroid injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation, which can alleviate pain and improve mobility. Always consult your doctor before use.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Ergonomic adjustments, regular movement breaks, and improved posture can help prevent and relieve neck pain.
- Advanced Interventions: In some cases, steroid injections or minimally invasive procedures may be considered for persistent or severe neck pain.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat neck pain.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with neck pain.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of neck pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Exercises for Neck Pain Relief
Gentle neck stretches and strengthening exercises can help reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance range of motion, and support healthy neck movements. Examples include chin tucks, neck rotations, and shoulder blade squeezes. Regular exercise can help prevent neck symptoms and maintain overall neck health. Always perform exercises slowly and stop if you experience pain. For best results, consult a physical therapist who can tailor a program to your specific needs and symptoms [4].
Lifestyle Tips for a Healthy Neck
- Maintain good posture, especially when using electronic devices. Improving posture and correcting posture are key to preventing neck issues.
- Take regular breaks from sitting or repetitive activities. If you have a desk job, avoid sitting for long periods and take regular movement breaks.
- Use a supportive pillow and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
- Stay active and incorporate neck-friendly exercises into your routine.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension.
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce strain on the neck.
- Incorporate activities that relieve tension in the neck, such as heat therapy, massage, or deep breathing, and support overall spine health.
Case Study: Lasting Relief from Neck Pain and Crunching
Patient: Mark, 38, IT professional
Problem: Persistent neck pain and crunching sounds for over a year, worsened by desk work and poor posture.
Treatment: After assessment at ProHealth Clinic, Mark received a combination of physical therapy and prolotherapy injections.
Outcome: Within 2 months, Mark reported a significant reduction in neck pain and crunching. At 6 months, he was pain-free, with improved posture and mobility.
“I never thought my neck would feel this good again. The crunching is gone, and I can work comfortably all day.”
How to Prevent Neck Crunching and Pain
- Practice good posture and ergonomics at work and home
- Stay active and stretch your neck and shoulders regularly
- Use a supportive pillow and avoid sleeping in awkward positions
- Take breaks from screens and repetitive tasks
- Address neck pain early to prevent chronic issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for my neck to crunch when I move it?
Occasional neck crunching is common and usually harmless, especially if it is not accompanied by pain or other symptoms. If you have persistent pain, numbness, or weakness, consult a healthcare professional.
Can neck crunching be prevented?
Maintaining good posture, staying active, and performing regular neck stretches can help reduce the likelihood of neck crunching and pain.
Is prolotherapy safe for neck pain?
Prolotherapy is considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. It is minimally invasive and has a low risk of side effects. Always consult a specialist to determine if it’s right for you.
How long does it take to see results from prolotherapy for neck pain?
Many patients notice improvement within a few weeks, with optimal results typically seen after 3-6 sessions, depending on the severity of the neck pain.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let neck pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
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Phone: +441234380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
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London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating neck pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with neck pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-eaton-4338225b/
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Neck Crepitus: What Causes Grinding Sound in Neck?. Accessed June 2024.
- Arthritis Foundation. Neck Pain: Causes and Treatment. Accessed June 2024.
- NHS. Neck pain. Accessed June 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. Neck pain: Diagnosis & treatment. Accessed June 2024.
- Rabago D, Slattengren A, Mundt M. Prolotherapy in Primary Care Practice. Prim Care. 2010;37(1):65-80. Read study.
- Hauser RA, et al. A Systematic Review of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2016;9:139-159. Read study.