You perhaps sit in front of computer every day for extensive hours. Obviously, in today’s world of technology, most of the office works are done with computer, and as one of the staffs, you are also likely to do such work daily.
But, unfortunately, continuous working with a machine may lead to some problems in your body, and cracking neck is one of those notable issues, faced by many people. When you want to roll around your head, you may have stiff feeling, and hear a bang in the neck. This bang or pop is actually referred to as the neck cracking; however, it instantly gives you better feeling.
If cracking the back or neck a better sensation, then how can this be risky for your health?
Before discussing that, let’s have a glance at the body parts, which are included in the neck portion:
- spinal cord
- blood vessels
- bones
- ligaments
- muscles
- joints
- nerves
- arteries
These are small but important body parts; however, if you forcefully move your neck beyond the normal limits, these parts may be damaged in some means.
Cause of popping sound in your neck
In some cases, the necks may have structural malformations. With no appropriate test, you get no option to know the cause of your neck cracking. Some risk factors, in fact, are dependent on the twisting or rotating forces of the neck.
Joints hold carbon dioxide oxygen and nitrogen along with fluid, which greases the part where 2 bones join. While you pour fluid under stress, the tiny bubbles of gas in joint portions, are discharged, and it leads to a popping sound.
The sound seems to be comparable to a soda can opening sound. The force in the container is discharged while you unlock it. Gas fizzes go up forcefully with a crack. While the bubbles are freed, the liquid in the joints greases the surfaces, and the movement is restored to give you a good feeling.
Better feeling after neck cracking – But still not good for you
Whenever you control your joints, you actually cause the ligaments to get stretched as rubber strip. While you draw out any rubber string several times, it may lose the form and may turn out to be unstable may also snap. The same thing can be said in case of ligaments.
If you continuously extend them by breaking your back or own neck, they may not have the right stability and structure, needed for your joints for maintaining appropriate alignment. It can cause some difficulties, such as, strained nerves, crooked vertebra, soreness and stiffness.
In addition to it, while you crack the neck, the joints that cracked are sustained with ligaments, which are stretched previously. Thus, you are, in fact, not solving the issue; you may be able only to release gas and stretch ligaments.
Some experts say that neck cracking often causes more pain around the area. In addition to it, when you have not reached the age of sixty years, you may face the risk of heart stroke. The danger increases as the cracking can lead to blood coagulation that prevents the flow of blood to brain.
One common downside of frequent neck and back cracking habit is that you cannot reach the joints, which are stuck. It may make you prickly and painful for the remaining part of a day. So, it is always better to get your neck examined by any professional in order to heal the stuck parts.
Treatments which are alternative to neck cracking
As neck cracking is not good, there are some optional treatments, which you may choose to relieve pain or stress on the neck.
Heat and ice
Although both of them have almost the same effectiveness, the use of any of these methods lessens the tension.
- When you plan to apply heat, warm up the concerned part for about fifteen to twenty minutes after a gap of two or three hours until the reduction of the pain
- If you want to utilize ice, always be certain to wrap ice pack using some towel prior to using on affected spot. Repeat the process again, just like you have done with the use of heat.
Move the part
While you sense some tension, stiffness and ache in neck, you may try to move the area slowly. Moving helps to strengthen your muscles naturally. When you’ve been sitting on chair for some hours, or got up with a rigid neck, you may try gentle stretching. While you move, you should not make any sharp or fast movement. Massage yourself or have someone to manipulate you so that the muscles may be relaxed.
Over-the-Counter pain pills
Many people take some medication to be free from pain. Acetaminophen helps to reduce the aching. When the concerned part has inflammation, you can look for ibuprofen.
Develop healthy practices
With the development of some healthy habits, you may avoid the condition of rigid neck or neck cracking. For instance, you may do yoga on a daily basis. However, you need to quit smoking habit and accept good practices that may assist to relieve tension or soreness.
Consult doctor in severe cases
When your neck stiffness or pain does not show any improvement after choosing any remedy, you may need to talk to a physician. On the contrary, while you’re incapable of controlling the soreness or it is serious, you should visit a clinic right away.
If the neck pain lasts more than one month, the physician may recommend you to consult a physiotherapist to help you in having a therapy.
A few symptoms that require instant attention include:
- Neck ache along with fever, headache and inflated glands
- Nausea and pain
- Difficulty in bending the neck forward
- Not able to move the hands and arms
- Problem in breathing
Thus, though some people think that neck cracking gives them comfort, it is not always the best option. So, you may speak to your doctor or choose some other options.
