Is Cracking Your Own Neck Bad For You?
Neck cracking, also known as self-manipulation, might seem like a quick fix for a stiff or sore neck. Many people indulge in this poor habit, thinking it relieves tension or prevents discomfort. However, there are significant risks associated with cracking your own neck, and understanding them can prove crucial to the health of your neck. In this blog, we’ll discuss the negative effects of self-manipulation and why seeking professional care from a chiropractor is safer and more effective.
But Cracking It Feels So Good!
Manipulation to the neck causes a slight dopamine release, creating that “ahh” moment immediately after you hear a crack. The crack, however, isn’t indicative of realignment and can be elicited anywhere in the spine. What you’re doing when you self-manipulate your neck is loosening the soft tissues that protect and provide movement to the upper neck, furthering whatever issue is at hand. Typically, with forward head posture from technology usage or prolonged desk work, the lower part of our neck stiffens to support the weight of the head as it travels forward. Now our upper neck is moving more
Is It Really That Bad?
One of the primary dangers of cracking your own neck is the increased risk of injury. When you self-manipulate the neck, you risk causing damage to the delicate structures in your cervical spine. Improper techniques to adjust the neck can lead to muscle strains, ligament sprains, and even joint dislocations. In more severe cases, herniated discs and nerve impingements can occur. It’s important to understand that a chiropractor is specifically trained to perform these adjustments safely, using precise techniques to avoid such injuries.
So What Am I Supposed To Do?
Seeing a chiropractor who’s trained to diagnose, assess, and adjust the segments of the spine is going to be your best bet. It’s also important to understand why you’re needing to crack your neck in the first place. Is your posture poor? Are you moving your neck excessively or improperly? Did you have a prior injury to your head or neck that caused you to want to crack it? These questions can give you a deeper insight into what lifestyle changes need to be made so that your chiropractic adjustments hold for longer, and your pain level/discomfort level can decrease quicker.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
Chiropractic aims to align the structures of the body to allow the nervous system to function and heal at 100%. Chiropractors are trained in adjusting the bones of the body and can help to free up any stiffness, stuckness, misalignment, and dysfunction in the neck region.
The Advantages of Chiropractic Are Vast, Here Are 5 Key Points to Understand:
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Precision and Expertise:
- Chiropractors target specific areas of misalignment, ensuring accurate realignment of the spine and joints to allow for proper movement and utilization of the head and neck.
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Long-Term Resolution:
- By correcting the root cause of pain and discomfort, chiropractic care offers long-term relief and promotes overall wellness. Freeing up the nervous system allows a person’s system to function and heal at its intended capacity.
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Personalized Treatment Plans:
- Each patient receives a customized treatment plan based on their unique needs and health goals, ensuring effective results. Uniqueness is best cared for through personalization, because we’re not one-size-fits-all in anything.
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Holistic Approach:
- Chiropractic care addresses the underlying cause of pain and discomfort rather than masking symptoms. Addressing the root cause brings a more focalized approach to treatment rather than various anti-inflammatories to mask the manifestation of deeper dysfunction.
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Improved Functionality:
- Proper spinal alignment enhances the body’s ability to heal itself and function optimally. Movement, function, performance, and longevity all hinge on a properly aligned body, which starts from the foundation.
Incorporating Self-Care with Chiropractic can help to relieve tension and any inflammation that has manifested from poor alignment, overuse, or injury. To truly allow these changes to stick, taking stock of the positions you’re placing yourself in throughout the day can show you areas that need to be addressed. Forward Head Posture, breastfeeding, any desk work, reading for hours with your head down, looking up for prolonged periods of time for work, and various other overuse or egregious positions should be addressed to help mitigate any further dysfunction.
At Koru Chiropractic, our holistic, root-cause-oriented doctors aim to truly get to the bottom of the issue at hand. We’re here to support you through your journey, so if you’re ready to make a change and experience the benefits of chiropractic, complete the form below to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.