Cracking, Grinding, or Crunching Sound In Neck When Turning Side to Side?

Do you hear a cracking, grinding, or crunching sound in your neck when turning your head from side to side?
• Cracking, Grinding, or...
(0:00) Small changes in the way your turn your head can reduce or eliminate cracking, grinding, or crunching sounds in your neck.
(0:25) Causes of neck cracking and simple solution to eliminate cracking. More importantly, these changes can help relieve or prevent neck pain!
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DISCLAIMER: More 4 Life is a physical therapy clinic located in St. Louis, MO in the United States of America. David Candy (a.k.a. Dave Candy) is a doctor of physical therapy and a licensed physical therapist in the state of Missouri. This information is intended to help relieve pain and improve mobility. However, DO NOT use the information in this video or on this channel as a substitute for seeking out help from a physical therapist, physiotherapist, or other licensed healthcare professional near you.

[@vashsant9749]

Thst was an easy assist..helped a bit. Thanks

[@More4Life]

You're welcome!

[@thetruthfornow6045]

Good advice.

[@More4Life]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@bobbycone2]

I'm convinced there is gravel in between all my neck bones. Lol

[@More4Life]

Lol😆 Probably not. Good luck though.

[@ilikesour12]

good day doc, every time i turn my head to the left there is a grinding and clicking sensation on the left side of my neck which is pretty annoying, And i usually push the right side of my neck towards the left and my spine clicks.. it gives me momentary relieved moments.

[@More4Life]

Often the grinding and clicking is caused by a posture / movement problem. The tips in this video often help, but if they don't, I'd suggest getting is checked out by a physical therapist in your area.

[@maredunmyers6973]

The stretching helps thanks

[@More4Life]

You're welcome. Glad it helped!

[@THETRUTHZ]

Did this to myself when riding my bike of a curb. my body drop faster than my head did body weigh = 120pound head weight = head weight = 8 pounds

[@More4Life]

Hope you feel better.

[@Cloud-zb8lw]

I have a question. So my neck makes this sort of popping sound when I turn right. Any tips on how to make it stop ?

[@More4Life]

Have you tried the tips from the video already?

[@alikhalif7757]

good day doc i am having some what same issue this has start since yesterday. every-time l look to the right and back i keep hearing the poping grinding noises. i am 23 never had any issues with my neck since yesterday. i think the cause was that i might have turned my head a little more to the right than i normally do. the poping/ grinding noises only happens when i look to the right and also when i return my head to it neutral position. do you think this is something that will go way soon or should i let it get checked. it isn't causing me any pain or tightness of muscle. i will get it check if it doesn't go away before Monday. i would like your opinion on this issue Thanks in advance

[@More4Life]

If you have no other issues than popping your plan sounds good to give it a few days and then get it checked out. If you're having other symptoms other than popping, probably good to get it looked at sooner.

[@alikhalif7757]

@@More4Life alright thanks it relieving to hear that from your respective i'll have it check out in a few days if the popping sound hasn't resolved. i'll check some more of your videos need one for clicking knee though i know it's because i haven't been exercising much lately

[@louiesuelan9059]

@@More4Life doc same problem do you have any tips to remove the poping noise when i turn my head?

[@More4Life]

@@louiesuelan9059 That's basically what is described in this video. If you pretend there's an axle running vertically through your head and slowly try to rotate around that axle while keeping your chin down, a lot of times that will stop it. It may limit your range of motion going side to side because of stiff muscles initially, but if you practiced doing the neck turning only in the range you can without getting popping, over time you'll be able to turn farther. That being said, if you have to turn farther, the popping is usually not a serious problem, it just sounds annoying.

[@pauliusznaidauskas1622]

Hey Ali, hows your neck now?

[@privateinformation9384]

I hear grinding in my neck (upper cervical area, atlas or C1,C2) when turning my head side to side. Would an over the door or inflatable neck decompression device help to eliminate this? Or would an adjustment by a chiropractor in that area help eliminate this?

[@privateinformation9384]

I don’t feel any pain when this happens, however I’m not comfortable with the idea of my cervical joints wearing down over time which may lead to problems if left untreated.

[@johnwalker7097]

@@privateinformation9384 I've been having the same issue for about 7 chiropractor. it's around the same area but they found nothing on the x-rays. they said it could be a muscle spasm causing it.

[@johnwalker7097]

I also don't feel pain when Turning my head.

[@pauliusznaidauskas1622]

@@johnwalker7097 hey John, have u found a way to fix this?

[@mthugs4458]

​@@privateinformation9384have you solved your issue? I am also facing the same problem

[@rajkumarraj6179]

Sir i have getting right ear chat chat sound and back side also since one mont back and not getting prapore sleeping sir pls give me any treatment

[@More4Life]

Not 100% sure I understand the questions. If the sound comes when turning your neck, try the tips in this video. Jaw problems (TMJ disorders) can also cause popping sounds in the ear. You might check out this video to see if that applies to you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioW1iox6odWfZrc

[@sgcgaming6724]

Hi Doc, When I walk, every time my left leg flexes and extends, I hear a clicking sound. But my right leg does not make a sound. I hear a clicking/cracking sound on my neck whenever I stretch my neck leftward. Why does my left foot make a clicking sound in the left side of my neck when i walk? Thank you for your advice doc.

[@More4Life]

The knee clicking can come from a number of issues: your kneecap being misaligned, the IT band rubbing over the outside of the joint, or in some cases a meniscus tear. If it's every step and it's not painful, it's more likely one of the first two. With regards to your neck, if it's every time you move your neck leftward, it's likely just the joints and soft tissues rubbing together. Mine actually does the same thing when tipping to the right, but not the left. Keep in mind that your neck is very close to your ears, so it's probably much louder to you that it is to anyone else. If it's not causing you any symptoms, it's likely not something to be concerned about. *Note: This information is not a substitute for medical advice. If you're concerned about it, see a healthcare provider near you.

[@sgcgaming6724]

@@More4Life there's no pain doc. When I'm Walking i heard this clicking sound on my neck. Every time i step on my left foot.

[@gavenvalles1817]

Dr . even I am having this similar problem for the two years. Dr only says excersice. But how can it come to normal.

[@More4Life]

Stiffness in the muscles in the neck can cause the joints in your neck to compress on one another. By reducing the stiffness and changing the angle of the joints, you can reduce the amount of cracking, grinding, and crunching. The sounds by themselves are not really anything to worry about, but if you're having pain or other symptoms associated with the sounds, it would be a good idea to have your neck checked by a qualified health professional.

[@momentumstocks3493]

I feel like my bones are grinding on the nerves... I also cannot like my head without pain.. It is awful. I can only walk around if I use my hand for support... 2mris..nothing. But they were done lying down. Which is my best position.

[@creeperdestroyer410]

Hello doctor,i took an xray of my neck and the doctor said a space between two of your neck vertebras is narrowed,and i have neck pain for 10 monthes,and my neck muscles feel weak during the day but i feel better after sleeping,my neck cracks almost every 5 mins when i make a head movement,is it neck spondolysis or what i cant continue studying like this.

[@More4Life]

If your neck muscles feel weak during the day like you're having difficulty holding your head up, and laying down makes it, feel better it's likely one of two things (or both): 1) There's instability in your spine (probably would happen after a severe injury) 2) Weakness of the neck muscles that support your head I'd suggest finding a physical therapist in your area to evaluate your neck in person.

[@creeperdestroyer410]

@@More4Life thank you doctor, after my exams i will visit a phyisical therapist❤️

[@user-eb6xh1uq8g]

good evening doctor from greece i have a problem in my neck every time i turn it i have a cracking sound near the atlas 1 and 2 also i feel something moving every time this happens this happens regularly i have no pain what could it be?

[@More4Life]

If it happens every single time time, it's likely the joint surfaces rubbing on each other, which isn't a big problem as long as there are no symptoms associated with it. It sounds a lot louder due to the joints being so close to your ears and vibrating through the skull. Often using the tips in the video can help minimize it. If it just happens once or a few times, it can also be air getting released from the joint capsules. In either event, if you have pain or other symptoms associated with it, go get it checked out. If it's just sounds and nothing else most often it's nothing to worry about.

[@momentumstocks3493]

And if you get pain at the base of skull. All over the scalp and in the right shoulder... What can I do?

[@goldenmangolps]

I’ve had thei since I was a pre teen I think and everytime I touch the area it moves around and makes a grinding noise and it’s weird

[@More4Life]

Do you get any pain or other strange symptoms when you touch the area and it moves, or just the grinding sound?

[@emmanuelessien86]

I keep getting a constant crack at the left corner of my next Everytime I turn my neck. It makes me uncomfortable all the time with slight pain even without turning my head.

[@More4Life]

If the pain bothers you even when you're not turning g your head, it's time to get it checked out by a healthcare professional

[@chirag.kunal.atmancreations]

I have this neck pain from 1.5 years facing tightness n a cracking sound during study postures..now i am also feeling pain in my wrist on upper side on dorsal...what should i do now ...

[@More4Life]

If you're getting pain that radiates into your arms, it's time to see a doctor about it. That could be a sign of a pinched nerve.

[@momentumstocks3493]

Two years for me. What can be done about a pinched nerve?

[@minakxi]

My inside back head voice like grinding when.i.movemy head

[@meilih2030]

it's noisier on the left turn. I think it's my position when I watch something, I turn left on bed and I put my left hand on my head, it hurts my head and I think I hurt my neck too. Been doing this a long time. How can i make this go away?

[@More4Life]

Definitely try reorganizing how you Lau on the bed or where the TV is relative to the bed. Also you might try stretching your neck in the opposite direction as the direction that it's bent when you lay

[@meilih2030]

@@More4Life thanx, I will exercise my neck and head. I have this almost a year now. Been doing bad positions for longer hours. And my head hurts sometimes i feel dizzy too. Exercises also makes me nauseous.

[@More4Life]

@@meilih2030 headaches, dizziness, and nausea are more concerning issues. I'd recommend seeing a medical professional quickly about those issues. In the meantime, avoid any activities or positions that cause the headaches, dizziness, or nausea until you get them checked out.

[@meilih2030]

@@More4Life it's just when i exercise. jumping gives me headaches. The nausea it's when i sit ups or raise legs up. The neck squishy sound well it only includes a bit pain and headache. I will just check some schedule If I get an appointment in hospital. But I will be more careful with how I do things and how I position myself because I keep forgetting I am old now. I don't really realize that I am old so I better adjust the usual things and adjust to my age. Plus I have many issues like scolio and lumbar lordosis and my neck is straight no curves too. I also broke a nerve a fe years ago by doing the same position while watching, I think pinch nerve. So I had a terrible nape pain goes all the way to my left arms and fingers. It took months to heal that numb and tingling sensation and weakness. I can't hold on to anything. My left was not working fine. But it's all my wrong positioning of myself when I am watching something and doing it for longer hours. I really need to change and discipline and be aware of what I am doing. I am just too careless with my body. Thanks for advice.

[@momentumstocks3493]

I cannot turn chin tucked into the chest. I get a sharp pain along the base of the skull. Right up the skull and in my right shoulder. Two years now.. Any ideas?

[@More4Life]

For this exercise, the chin shouldn't be tucked all the way to the chest, just slightly toward the throat, and then limit twisting to comfortable range only. HOWEVER, if it's been going on for 2 years, you should really get it checked out by a healthcare professional.

[@janardhannayana6989]

Hi sir I'm from india🇮🇳 I saw ur video... If I turn my right side neck I am hearing some sound on my ear.... Please suggest me.... Already I consultant doctor

[@More4Life]

The best advice I can give without having seen the case personally is to try the tips in this video.

[@Merrianna]

Amazing that you are from India & I have seen other comments rom Australia, New Zealand, Napal, & so many from USA cties. And that More 4 Life KZbin videos are helping all of us! Wow! Impressive!

[@TrustInTheUniverse]

I get mild crunching and discomfort when bending neck backwards after a neck injury almost a year ago. Anyone know what that might be. If I hold my neck in that position it feels uncomfortable like my body says this should not be happening.

[@More4Life]

When you bend your neck backwards it jams the joints in the back of the neck together. However, it's probably advisable to avoid that position and get it checked out if your body tells you it should not be happening.

[@TrustInTheUniverse]

@@More4Life thanks

[@More4Life]

@@TrustInTheUniverse you're welcome

[@rajesh007143]

Sir my age 31 and am getting click sound while my neck turning from left to right and right to left every time, but there is no pain.. There is no pain but that bcz of that click sound very distrubing me. I also went to spin doctor and taken MRI scan in MRI also came normal. Kindly give suggestion for how to cure from this click sound in my neck please.

[@paulekas321]

I have same thing. Have you found any answers?

[@letviewthevideolvtv5105]

For me also bro.

[@sgcgaming6724]

Hows your neck now?

[@Albanian_boy896]

@@paulekas321 same thing mate even me any solution

[@hexrr340]

Im 15 and whenever i turn to The left i feel and hear A very small crack, Then when i turn back its a big few cracks in a second, any idea what this is? I dont feel any pain but im scared

[@onebadjdam]

I used to hear clicking and grinding noises coming from my neck when I walked. I was suffering in pain for years I went to doctors, chiropractors , alternative medicine, etc... no one could tell me what was wrong. Turns out I had a disease call Ankylosing Spondylitis. Now my spine is fused because of a late diagnosis hope this helps someone

[@More4Life]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@momentumstocks3493]

Are there tests for this?

[@jeetubhaiya5714]

I hear crackling in throat when I swallow and same crackling from spine when I move

[@More4Life]

The cracking in throat thing could be concerning, especially if you've hD a history of neck trauma like a fall or a car accident. Some of the muscles that you use to swallow attach to your neck. It's worth getting checked out, especially if there are other symptoms associated with it.

[@jeetubhaiya5714]

@@More4Life this started after I have itching in soft palate and I such soft palate with mouth after this I swallow I hear crackling and same sound from cervical spine

[@jeetubhaiya5714]

@@More4Life I have neck hump and tinnitus is this related to this

[@More4Life]

@Jeetu Bhaiya The cracking whe. Swallowing and the tinnitus COULD both be caused by TMJ disorder. Alternatively, trouble swallowing and tinnitus are both cranial nerve signs that could indicate a more serious problem. Best to get it checked out as the consequences of each are quite different.

[@jeetubhaiya5714]

@@More4Life but what cause crackling in cervical spine by moving

[@MSV667]

Mine still grinds with chin down.

[@More4Life]

A lot of times you have to tuck your chin more than you might think. It may limit your range of motion at first if your neck muscles are really tight, but if you limit your range to what you can do without causing grinding, over time you should be able to rotate farther without grinding. If there is a lot of stiffness, you may need some hands-on treatment to get things loosened up. We do that at our clinic here in St. Louis, but if you're out of town we can help you find someone close to you if you need help.

[@Rob_2002_NCAA_Champion]

Doctor I need to reach you. Do you have an email.

[@More4Life]

[e-mail]

[@ismaeelghany2469]

Pls help me im 14 i keep hearing grinding Noises when i Lift my shoulders or squeeze in the middle of my back or turn my neck left to right its uncomfortable i also have tinnitus which is ringing in ear and i cant i just miss silence and everything i need to see a pysical therepist and i may have anxiety 🥺😭💔

[@More4Life]

Ismaeel, sorry to hear you're going through all of that at such a young age. 😟 The cracking and grinding in the shoulders and neck is likely a sign of dis-coordinated movement, and possibly some hypermobility if you're having it that young. The ringing in the ears is something more urgent to seek out treatment for, especially if you've had an injury to your head or neck (sports, fall, car/bike accident, or abuse - hate to even mention this, but it happens). Make sure to see a qualified medical professional to get that checked out. You're right, seeing a physical therapist would likely be a good idea.

[@jeetubhaiya5714]

Same situation bro I also hear grinding sound from moving and I also have tinnitus I am 16 yrs old is you better now plz tell is it temporary

[@user-um5dz6ps6k]

How typical is it that young people have this? I'm 19 and my neck does this weird grinding sound when I shake my head left to right, I used to crack my neck a lot cause of stress and ever since I stopped that's the sound it makes now and it also pops randomly

[@More4Life]

It's fairly common, even in younger people, and most of the time the sound itself is not harmful as long as there's no pain associated with it.

[@momentumstocks3493]

Mobile phone use is screwing people up.

[@jamietherooster]

must be a wrestler with those ears. Do you still train considering you now know how it messes up your neck?

[@More4Life]

I was. That was years (decades) ago though.

[@TheHonestTruth]

Jeesußsss Jamie you need to be a detective

[@sumeenahmed5099]

My neck making crunchy sounds while walking plzzz reply 🥺🥺🥺

[@More4Life]

Are you turning your head while walking, or just when walking straight ahead? If it's just making noises without any other symptoms, you might try just slightly tucking your chin, or looking down slightly while walking. This can help stabilize your neck when walking so that your head isn't bobbing up and down each time you take a step. If you're having pain, dizziness, or other symptoms along with it, you should probably have your neck checked out by a healthcare professional.

[@sumeenahmed5099]

@@More4Life when walking straight my neck making crunchy sounds no pain ,no stiffness, nothing just crunchy sounds...

[@sgcgaming6724]

@@sumeenahmed5099 hows your neck now? We have same case. What exercise you do to get off that sound?