Neck Cracking: There are Times for Concern

In most cases, cracks and creaks coming from your neck are perfectly normal. Furthermore, there’s no way to avoid these.

However, that’s not always the case. There are situations in which you should take caution and consult with a medical professional. Neglecting to do so puts your health at risk, including long-term effects.

Here are three times when neck cracking may be a sign of a serious problem:

•    Cracking that’s accompanied by swelling, pain, or discomfort of any kind
•    Cracking that repeats every time you make the same movement, such as turning your neck to one side or the other
•    Cracking that starts immediately following an accident, such as a motor vehicle crash

One or more of the above doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a more severe injury, but that could be the case. The sooner you seek medical assistance, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on. And at that point, you can decide what to do next.

Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.