As you sit at your desk for hours, your neck may begin to feel sore and stiff. You may instinctively twist or tilt it until you hear a satisfying pop, which can provide some relief. However, this relief is only temporary, and repeatedly forcing your neck to twist or tilt may increase the risk of serious complications. You may feel as though you are finally letting go of the built-up tension by manoeuvring the neck into an odd position, but still exercising precautions is essential.
How events unfolded
A neurologist warned about this. Dr Sadique Pathan , consultant neurologist at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune, a network hospital of Manipal Hospital, urged caution about cracking necks. Understanding when a stiff neck is merely muscular tiredness and when it requires medical attention is important. When neck cracking becomes a habit, you may feel compelled to do it even without any stiffness. The neurologist strongly cautioned against this, as repetitive or forceful manipulation may aggravate an undetected cervical spine disorder or irritate the nerves. What is the severity of the consequences?
Introducing the difference between an occasional habit and a potentially risky pattern, Dr Pathan said, “Occasional neck cracking is normally harmless; we warn that regular or vigorous self-manipulation of the neck could cover up an underlying disease or, on rare occasions, lead to catastrophic problems. Dr Pathan described, “In certain cases, it could end up in a tear in the artery wall called a vertebral artery dissection, which might lower blood supply to the brain and raise the risk of stroke.”
What Happens Next
More about the expert: Dr Sadique Pathan has over 14 years of experience, and his areas of expertise include stroke and neurorehabilitation, epilepsy and seizure management, migraine and chronic headaches, parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, neuropathy and neuromuscular disorders, multiple sclerosis, memory loss and cognitive disorders, vertigo, dizziness and gait imbalance. In fact, if you have neck pain, do not assume that a twist or tilt will fix it. As the expert added, neck pain accompanied by dizziness may signal cervical myelopathy (compression of the spinal cord), cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve), and cervicogenic dizziness. Twisting or tilting your neck further without understanding the cause of the pain may aggravate these conditions. The expert also mentioned that dizziness is often assumed to be caused by an ear problem. However, it may also be linked to the brain, spinal cord, or neck, as all these structures work together to maintain balance. Persistent dizziness after neck movement should always be assessed to rule out neurological causes. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
