Does Your Neck go Snap, Crackle and Pop?
No, that sound is not coming from your bowl of Rice Krispies, it’s your neck! For me, it started during my senior year of college and now it’s a morning and daily ritual. I nod in sympathy every time I see a fellow “neck cracker” rolling their neck or doing the old “side to side multi-crack”.
There are two disturbing issues that can arise from frequent neck cracking: 1) Increased probability for a stroke and 2) loss of mobility. Not too comforting… The good news is that there some easy preventative measures to help silence those Rice Krispies.
STRESS REDUCTION TECHNIQUES
A major cause of tension is stress. This probably explains why my neck issues surfaces during my final year of college, which was an extremely stressful time for me. Here, we have compiled a list of resources that can help you reduce stress. Choose several methods that you feel comfortable with. The important thing is to actually implement the techniques, so make sure you choose some that don’t require being at a certain location or having fancy equipment.
- Stress Management: How to Reduce, prevent, and Cope with Stress
- Mahalo’s page on stress
- 20 Ways to Eliminate Stress From Your Life
NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS
Maria Evans, a 7th degree black belt who was suffering from arthritis, recommends FlexMyJoints for arthritis treatment. Of course, we have to agree 
But seriously, our opinion is that your body has the ability to heal itself and a supplement should augment this ability to enhance recovery rather than simply masking the pain.
STRETCHING AND EXERCISE
Exercise is a proven method to reduce stress, and of course you should include some form of exercise in your daily routine. Stretching, on the other hand, is something we often leave out of our exercise routines. Adding a stretching regimen can do wonders for your tense neck. Here are a few resources to get you started (make sure to consult your physician first).
- Yahoo – Neck Pain – Home Treatment
- About.com – Managing Neck Pain
- Harvard – Chronic Neck Pain Relief
If you don’t think you will find the motivation to regularly exercise and stretch, consider hiring a personal trainer, enrolling in a physical therapy program or simply find a partner that will exercise with you.
How do you currently deal with your snap, crackle and pop? We would love to hear your experiences.
That’s why the chiropractor is dangerous as well. Tons more people are having strokes d/t poor chiropractic practice. No way in hell I’m ever visiting one!
Thanks for the unsubstantiated FUD, fizz.
I visit my chiropractor monthly! The best health investment I’ve ever made - never felt better, more mobility, and no drugs to take! Stay away from big pharma.
It’s too bad that cracking your neck is so addicting! Every time I do it, I feel like tension is released instantly. I am going to make it a point to try to not do it anymore!!! I know there are other ways to relieve tension that are healthier.