If you hear clicking or popping sounds when you move your head, it is most likely due to normal joint movements in your neck or jaw. This type of noise is common and usually not a cause for concern.
The most common causes of clicking sounds when moving your head are:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues
- Cervical facet joint dysfunction
- Muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders
- Air bubbles popping in the fluid around your joints
What is the temporomandibular joint and how does it cause clicking sounds?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located on each side of your head where your jawbone connects to your skull. These joints allow your jaw to open and close and facilitate chewing and speaking.
Issues with the TMJ are a common cause of clicking or popping noises when moving the jaw. This can occur when the joint disc slides in and out of position as the jaw opens and closes. As the disc moves back into proper alignment, it creates a clicking sound.
TMJ dysfunction symptoms include:
- Clicking, popping, or grinding noises when chewing or opening the mouth
- Pain or soreness in the jaw
- Difficulty fully opening or closing the mouth
- Ear pain or pressure
- Headaches
TMJ disorders can be caused by arthritis, injury, misalignment of the joint, bruxism (teeth grinding), or muscle tension in the jaw. Treatment may include pain medication, splint therapy, physical therapy, or surgery in severe cases.
What are some TMJ disorder risk factors?
- Grinding or clenching teeth
- Arthritis
- Jaw injury or dislocation
- Missing teeth
- Misalignment of the bite
- Stress and anxiety
How do neck joints cause clicking or cracking sounds when moving the head?
The facet joints in the cervical spine (neck) can also cause clicking or cracking noises when turning or moving the head. These joints connect the vertebrae and allow flexibility and range of motion in the neck.
When the facet joints are misaligned or inflamed, they can produce a snapping or popping sound as you move your head. This occurs when the joint surfaces rub together abnormally or air bubbles are released from the fluid in the joints.
Causes of cervical facet joint dysfunction include:
- Injury or whiplash
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis
- Muscle imbalances
- Poor posture
Symptoms associated with facet joint disorders include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Headaches
- Popping or grinding noise when moving the neck
- Reduced range of motion
What treatments are available for cervical facet dysfunction?
Treatments for cervical facet joint disorders include:
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Physical therapy
- Massage
- Heat or ice therapy
- Medication
- Facet joint injections
Surgery may be an option for severe cases that do not respond to more conservative treatment. Preventative measures include maintaining good posture, neck strengthening exercises, and avoiding excessive stress on the neck.
How does muscle tightness contribute to clicking noises?
Tight muscles in the neck and shoulders can also lead to clicking or cracking sounds when moving the head and neck. When muscles are tight or contain trigger points, they can put pressure on surrounding joints.
As you turn your head, the contracted muscle tissue can rub against joints, tendons or ligaments, producing a popping or snapping sound. Tight muscles also limit range of motion, which can lead to improper joint alignment and uneven wear on joint surfaces.
Common causes of muscle tightness include:
- Poor posture
- Muscle overuse
- Injury
- Stress
- Lack of activity
Treating muscle tightness may reduce clicking and popping in the neck and jaw. Stretches, massage, heat therapy, and improving posture can help loosen tense muscles. Preventative measures include regular exercise and stress management.
What are some exercises that can help reduce neck muscle tightness?
Below are some simple exercises to help stretch and strengthen the neck muscles:
Neck Stretches
- Slowly tilt head to each side, holding the stretch for 30 seconds
- Gently pull chin down towards chest to stretch back of neck
- Tilt head back and look up to ceiling to stretch front of neck
Strengthening Exercises
- Chin tucks – draw chin straight back, pulling head directly between shoulders
- Neck stretches – gently press back of head against hand, resisting with neck muscles
- Shoulder rolls – roll shoulders up, back and down in a circular motion
Can cracking joints lead to arthritis?
There is a common concern that cracking knuckles or other joints will lead to arthritis. However, current research has found no evidence that cracking or popping joints increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
The cracking sound occurs when bubbles build up in the fluid inside the joints, and then suddenly collapse or burst. Contrary to popular belief, this does not appear to cause any damage to the joint surfaces or surrounding structures.
In most cases, cracking joints is not harmful. However, for some individuals, it may irritate swollen or inflamed joints. Chronic joint cracking should be avoided if it is painful.
While cracking itself does not cause arthritis, some underlying joint problems can lead to both cracking sounds and osteoarthritis development. These include:
- Injury
- Repetitive strain
- Misaligned joints
- Loose ligaments
Overall, occasional joint cracking is normal and nothing to worry about. But see a doctor if it is painful, occurs with other symptoms, or the joint appears red or swollen.
When should I be concerned about clicking or cracking joints?
In most cases, occasional clicking or cracking of joints is harmless and a normal part of body movement. Joint sounds may occur more frequently as we age, due to minor osteoarthritis changes or loosening of ligaments.
However, there are some instances when clicking joints should be evaluated by a doctor:
- Pain – Clicking that is accompanied by pain or swelling may indicate an injury or arthritis.
- Locking – If a clicked joint locks or catches, it may signal a torn cartilage or loose body in the joint.
- Redness – Red, warm, swollen joints require medical attention to rule out inflammation or infection.
- Instability – Clicking with a feeling of instability or give-way when moving a joint may indicate a ligament tear.
- Neurological – Clicking that radiates into numbness, tingling or muscle weakness warrants prompt medical care.
Have your doctor examine any clicked joint that is painful, swollen, locks or catches, feels unstable, or causes neurological symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Clicking or cracking noises when moving the head and neck are most often caused by normal joint movements or muscle tightness. TMJ disorders, cervical facet dysfunction, and tight muscles are common culprits.
Occasional clicking without pain is usually harmless. However, persistent clicking with pain or swelling may indicate an underlying condition that requires medical treatment.
With proper precautions and addressing any related neck pain or TMJ disorders, minor joint clicking is nothing to worry about.
References
Here are some references used as sources for this article:
- Watson, S. (2018). What’s Causing My Neck to Crack and Pop?. Verywell Health.
- Cervical Facet Joint Pain. (n.d.). Spine-Health.
- Okeson, J. (2013). Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Zucker, T. et al. (2018). Neck Pain: Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome. Physiopedia.
- Castro, W. et al. (2017). Do “Knuckle Cracks” Lead to Arthritis of the Fingers?. American Family Physician, 95(5), Online.
| Cause | Symptoms | Risk Factors | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMJ Disorders | Pain, clicking/popping of jaw, limited mouth opening, headaches | Teeth grinding, arthritis, stress, misaligned bite | Pain medication, splint therapy, surgery |
| Cervical Facet Dysfunction | Neck pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, clicking when turning head | Injury, degenerative changes, poor posture | Physical therapy, chiropractic adjustment, facet injections |
| Muscle Tightness | Stiffness, popping sounds, limited range of motion | Poor posture, injury, muscle overuse | Stretching, massage, warm compresses |