Is it okay to crack my neck?
by 
sophiesmom
ANSWERS: 4
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I crack mine all the time. No major issues so far.
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No doctor here, but i can advise what my physician told me. The vertabrae in you neck should never be manipulated. most of the body's nerves to the brain, pass in this area. this is why whiplash can be dangerous. Also, never go around in circles, with you head. the same reason applies. The body's discs are in-line for a reason. once they become disaligned, you will feel the pain.
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I was told after time that you yourself can't pop the parts that need popped so instead of it feeling better it will only get worse, and you cannot reverse the damage. I used to pop my back all the time, and while I thought I was good at it, it caused a lot of damage and if I could do it over I would. Apparently when you yourself pop it, you only relieve some "air" (the popping noise) and over time you will only retain it more. So I would suggest just letting a professional do it, it is not expensive and now at least I know I can feel better when an expert does it;)
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Nope, it's not good at all. The reason you crack your neck that neck has many joints, and there are ligaments and muscles to stabilize these joints. If your joints are hypermobile and the ligaments are loose than its up to those muscles to stabilize the joints and they tend to do it by contraction. As you crack your neck you loosen those muscles causing them to relax but the problem is that they have to work, contract and this goes on..for the worse. What you should do is work your muscle. Yes thats true. You can work your neck muscles with isometric contraction exersizes. To do that you put your palm on your neck and you push your head forwards but not letting it to go forwrds eith your palm. 15 times. And then you put your hand at the back of your head, pushing your head backwards but stopping it with your hand, 15 times, and do it for the sides 15 times. You do this exersize wheneveer you remember to do it 10 times daily, and your muscles will strengthen, and no more neck cracks needed.
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