Can cracking my neck cause arthritis?
Most of the people purposely bend or twist their head either out of nervous habit or for tension relief. When you twist or bend your head, you likely notice a cracking, popping, or snapping sound. Some of you may be wondering, can be cracking your neck cause arthritis?
You’re probably safe
In almost every situation, it is safe to crack your neck. The sound from cracking your neck is the sound of tiny gas bubbles that form and pop in the fluid between your synovial joints. This process, as far as we know, causes no harm to your neck. Even though cracking the neck has not been the most focus study, we do know from medical literature on cracking fingers that this movement does not increase the risk of arthritis. Currently there is still no evidence shows neck cracking leads to arthritis.
What actually causes neck arthritis
Neck arthritis, or cervical osteoarthritis, are caused by other factors such as aging but not neck cracking. The condition is caused by the gradual wearing down of the protective cartilage that lines the joints in your neck. As the cartilage starts to wear away over time, the bone will start to grinding with other bone and causes pain and swelling in the joints. Other aspects like genetics, injury, and working a physically demanding work could all play a small part in developing neck arthritis.
Crack with caution
Even though neck cracking isn’t one of the arthritis hazards, but if you are doing this movement causes pain or swelling, or the sound can be recreated every time you move your neck, then you should visit your doctor for safety. Muscle strains or sprains can happen if you doing it wrongly or forcefully overstretch your neck, extending it beyond its normal range of motion.
