Why is your throat cracking?

Physiotherapist Sridhar Yalamanchili, PT, MSPT, of the Atlantic Spine Center in New Jersey says that neck crunching is very common – it happens to almost everyone – and it happens for a variety of reasons, including general stiffness in that section of the spine. “Stiffness in some vertebrae, cavitation, and the movement of the tendons and ligaments that support the neck can all lead to tears,” says Yalamanchili. The good news? “Most of the time these noises are harmless.”

But what exactly is cracking and what kind of noise is that? “The sound isn’t coming from the bones or cartilage breaking or rubbing,” said Joshua Scott, MD, a certified primary sports physician at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. It is most likely bubbles that are making this noise. “Most experts are of the opinion that this sound comes from gas bubbles made up of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the synovium [joint] Fluid that cavitates and bursts when the joint is stretched quickly. ”This also explains why you can normally only crack once -“ The gases have to build up again in the synovial fluid, so we usually cannot crack the same joint several times in a row ”, says Dr. Scott.

Is it okay to crack your throat

However, there are some reservations about its harmlessness. Yalamanchili says one should watch out for pain, loss of movement, and tingling or numbness in the neck or arms. In any of these cases, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have a pre-existing condition, it is also important to see a throat tear specialist. Dr. Scott advises “seeing a licensed professional who knows how to manipulate the spine to perform such treatments” and if you have severe osteoporosis, spinal cancer, or a spinal fracture, you should “never undergo spine manipulation”.

Why does it feel so damn good to crack in the neck?

“This pressure relief in the form of bubbles in the synovial fluid feels good,” explains Dr. Scott. “Some practitioners believe this is due to the sudden change in pressure, while others believe it is due to a release of endorphins due to the movement near the spinal cord.”

However, watch out for “aggressive or excessive” self-ruptures – Dr. Scott says that while a throat tear can be satisfying when done in excess, it can cause increased pain, nerve damage, or even artery damage that can lead to a stroke (mega-yikes).

You probably won’t hurt yourself, he says, if you limit it to an occasional crack. “A person who has broken their own neck or back is unlikely to be injured because the person generally protects their spinal cord from moving enough to cause damage,” says Dr. Scott. However, there can always be too much of a good thing. “Repeated self-cracking can become a habit and stretch the ligaments around the spine. This can lead to excessive movement or joint instability over time. This can cause pain, and for this reason I do not recommend that my patients practice repetitive self-cracking of the back or neck. “

Loosen up your neck and shoulders with this quick stretch routine.

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