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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Cracking Sound At The Back Of The Neck?

Hi I seem to have a problem with the back of my neck, when turning my head from side to side my neck makes a cracking sound, it s not painful just the noise is really irraratating, when I massage my neck it clicks & it s as if cartilage is moving round, I m really worried please help.
Wed, 6 Mar 2019
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Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist,  's  Response
Hello,

As this sounds what you hear are the unlocking of the facet joints and not any cartilages. As there is no cartilages present. There seems to be a muscle weakness majorly the paraspinal muscles and the muscles of the back. When you massage there is soothing effect and the muscles become weak. Post which you tend to get this kind of unlocking sounds. Doing strengthening exercises for the neck and lower back should such sounds.

In my clinical practice of 12 years most patients complain about such sounds but with spinal muscle strengthening, they don't get any sound later on.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist
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What Causes Cracking Sound At The Back Of The Neck?

Hello, As this sounds what you hear are the unlocking of the facet joints and not any cartilages. As there is no cartilages present. There seems to be a muscle weakness majorly the paraspinal muscles and the muscles of the back. When you massage there is soothing effect and the muscles become weak. Post which you tend to get this kind of unlocking sounds. Doing strengthening exercises for the neck and lower back should such sounds. In my clinical practice of 12 years most patients complain about such sounds but with spinal muscle strengthening, they don t get any sound later on. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist