Is it BAD to CRACK my own neck? - The Source Chiropractic

Why do you always feel like you have to crack your own neck? & Is it BAD to crack your neck?
The answer is "the feeling of needing to CRACK your neck is because two vertebrae are not moving correctly, they are fixated or stuck, giving you the sensation of needing to move.
The problem is, typically when you FORCE a pop or crack, is the vertebrae above or below the stuck one which is actually moving.
So you're not fixing the problem, and you feel like you have to do it again a few hours later.
Is this bad?
YES... because over time if you continue to do this, you will create HYPERMOBILITY of those joints, or too much motion, which is just as bad as to little motion, or hypomobility. This leads to degeneration and arthritis.
The Chiropractor finds the vertebrae which is not moving, giving you the sensation of needing to pop it, put a specific adjustment back in to restore proper biomechanics and leading to long term spinal health.

[@pamtuss1956]

I prefer to leave the neck cracking to my Chiropractor!!

[@deewagner2300]

What about when the neck, or back or hips, crack while stretching?

[@TheSourceChiropractic]

Great question Denise, the idea here is the difference between a normal cavitation "pop/crack" with normal movement vs a forced movement. It is normal for the body to release increased areas of stress within joints while doing movements or stretches; that is ok. This video is specifically talking to when people feel the need to "pop" an area and then forcing that movement. This video talks to the understanding that feeling the need to move an area like that, is due to an area not moving properly "being stuck".