If you’ve ever turned your head and felt or heard a clicking sensation in your neck, you’re not alone. This is a common occurrence that many people experience. In most cases, neck clicking is benign and simply a sign that tiny pockets of air are releasing within the joints and tissues of your neck. However, in some instances, it can be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires medical attention. Read on to learn more about the common causes of neck clicking, when it may indicate a problem, and what you can do about it.
What causes the clicking sound in your neck?
In order to understand what causes the clicking or popping sound in your neck, it helps to first understand the anatomy of your neck and spine. Your neck contains seven small bones called vertebrae that are connected and cushioned by soft tissues including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and synovial fluid-filled sacs called synovial joints. When you turn, tilt, or bend your neck, these vertebrae glide and roll over each other while the surrounding soft tissues stretch and relax.
The clicking or popping sound occurs when tiny bubbles of nitrogen gas within the synovial fluid of your facet joints (the joints between vertebrae) suddenly burst. This usually happens when you turn your neck farther than usual, which creates extra space between the vertebrae. When you turn your neck back, the vertebrae move closer together again, forcing the gas bubbles to quickly collapse and make a popping sound.
In essence, the sound results from the cavitation of gas bubbles in the fluid of your cervical facet joints. While this can occur in any joint in the body, it is especially common in the neck because we frequently turn and move our heads during daily activities.
Common causes of neck clicking
There are a few common reasons why people experience neck clicking when they turn their head:
- Normal joint mechanics – As explained above, neck clicking can occur simply due to the normal motions of the cervical spine and facets joints. Turning the head makes space for gas bubbles to form and then collapse.
- Tension or stiffness – Tight neck muscles or stiffness in connective tissues may cause neck joints to pop when moving after being still. This can result from muscle tension, poor posture, or joint stiffness from arthritis or previous injury.
- Wear and tear – Natural age-related wear on the cervical spine can lead to roughened joint surfaces. As the bones glide over each other with neck movement, the rough surfaces cause gases to release.
- Bone spurs – Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony projections that can grow on the vertebrae due to osteoarthritis. They are common causes of popping and grinding sensations.
If your neck clicks occasionally and is not accompanied by pain, it is generally harmless. However, frequent neck clicking or clicking with pain may indicate an underlying condition. See your doctor if it persists or worries you.
When should neck clicking be a concern?
For most people, occasional neck clicking or popping without pain is not a cause for concern. However, in some instances, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs evaluation and treatment. See your doctor promptly if the neck clicking is accompanied by any of the following:
- Sharp or shooting pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
- Weakness in the arms or hands
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Changes in gait or coordination
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction
These symptoms can indicate potential issues like:
Degenerative disc disease
Wear and tear on the cervical discs between vertebrae can cause them to bulge, rupture, or herniate. This narrows the space available for the spinal cord and nerve roots, which can lead to pain, numbness, and neurological symptoms.
Herniated disc
Similar to degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc results when an injured disc bulges out and puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. This is often called a slipped or ruptured disc.
Spinal stenosis
When the small spinal canal in the neck narrows due to arthritis, bone spurs, or disc bulging, it can squeeze the spinal cord and nerves in a condition called cervical spinal stenosis.
Ankylosing spondylitis
An inflammatory form of arthritis that can cause vertebrae to fuse together abnormally. The stiff, fused spine is prone to clicking and popping noises during movement.
Any neurological symptoms accompanying neck clicking need prompt medical assessment. Severe narrowing of the spinal canal can compress and damage the spinal cord, leading to numbness, weakness, paralysis, or loss of bowel/bladder control if untreated.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:
- Your neck clicks frequently and loudly, especially if it is new onset
- Clicking is accompanied by pain
- Clicking occurs alongside neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
- You experience headaches, dizziness, gait problems, or incontinence when your neck clicks
- Your range of motion is severely limited
- You have a history of injury or conditions like arthritis or bone spurs
- Rest, over-the-counter pain medication, ice/heat, and massage do not help
Seeking timely medical care is crucial if your neck clicks and you have severe or progressive neurological symptoms. Let your doctor know when the clicking started, what brings it on, and whether you have any accompanying symptoms. Prompt diagnosis of any underlying condition is key to appropriate treatment.
Medical examinations
To diagnose the cause of clicking and any related symptoms, your physician may:
- Ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam
- Check your strength, reflexes, coordination, and balance
- Order X-rays to see the alignment and condition of neck vertebrae and tissues
- Perform a CT scan for a more detailed look at the bones
- Order an MRI to evaluate the spinal cord, nerve roots, discs, muscles, and soft tissues
- Do electromyography to analyze nerve function
- Conduct other neurological tests as needed
Proper diagnosis guides appropriate treatment to manage any underlying cause of the neck clicking while also relieving any accompanying pain or symptoms.
Treatments for neck clicking
Treatments for neck clicking depend on the underlying cause and severity of any related symptoms. Some options may include:
Rest and pain medication
Taking a break from activities that aggravate the neck and using over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or anti-inflammatories may provide relief, especially with minor joint stiffness or muscle tension.
Physical therapy
Specific stretches and exercises guided by a physical therapist can improve range of motion, strengthen neck muscles, correct posture issues, and promote healing after injuries.
Chiropractic adjustment
Spinal manipulation and mobilization techniques performed by chiropractors can improve joint mobility and reduce neck stiffness or misalignments contributing to clicking.
Medications
Oral or injected corticosteroids help reduce inflammation associated with some types of arthritis. Muscle relaxants may also ease muscle spasms.
Surgery
If conservative treatments fail and narrowed discs or bone spurs cause neurological compression, surgery may be warranted to decompress affected nerves. Common procedures include a discectomy, foraminotomy, or spinal fusion.
The specific treatment recommended will depend on factors like the cause and severity of symptoms, as well as a patient’s age, overall health, and personal preferences.
Home remedies for neck clicking
In addition to professional treatment, you can try these self-care tips at home to manage neck clicking:
- Apply ice or heat – Use cold packs or heating pads to help relieve muscle tension and pain.
- Massage – Gently rub and stretch the neck and shoulder muscles to release tightness.
- Over-the-counter pain medication – Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen may relieve painful clicking.
- Try a cervical collar – Wearing a soft neck brace limits motion and may help affected joints rest.
- Exercise and stretch – Slow neck rolls, chin tucks and upper back stretches can improve range of motion.
- Use proper posture – Reduce strain on the neck by avoiding slouching and holding the head up properly.
- Make ergonomic adjustments – Support the neck with pillows in bed and adjust workstations to limit craning.
Conservative home treatment for several weeks may help manage mild neck clicking. But see your doctor promptly if significant pain or neurological symptoms develop or persist.
Preventing neck clicking
You can potentially reduce neck clicking and prevent exacerbations by:
- Avoiding prolonged poor head and neck posture like slouching or craning forward
- Limiting carrying very heavy bags on one shoulder
- Not spending excessive time in positions that strain the neck like holding a phone between your shoulder and ear
- Exercising to build neck muscle strength and range of motion
- Using relaxation techniques to ease neck muscle tension from stress
- Wearing a soft cervical collar to restrict motion during symptom flares
- Making ergonomic adjustments to your workstation, car seat, or bed to support neutral neck positioning
- Quitting smoking to reduce coughing that strains neck joints
- Maintaining a healthy body weight to avoid extra stress on the cervical spine
While occasional clicking is fairly common and harmless, applying these prevention tips may help reduce strain on your neck. See your doctor promptly if significant or persistent clicking develops.
When to seek medical care
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if:
- Your neck clicks frequently and loudly, especially if it is a new onset symptom
- Clicking is accompanied by numbness, weakness, headaches, or significant pain
- You have difficulty moving your neck and turning your head
- Symptoms worsen despite home treatment
- You experience neurological symptoms like weakness in the arms or legs
Prompt medical assessment is crucial if clicking is accompanied by severe, worsening, or progressive pain, restricted range of motion, or neurological changes. Early diagnosis and treatment can often stop symptoms from worsening.
When neck clicking may require emergency care
Seek emergency medical care if your neck clicking is accompanied by:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sudden severe weakness or paralysis in the arms or legs
- Excruciating neck pain or pressure
These worrisome symptoms can indicate spinal cord compression or vertebral artery injury and require emergency treatment to prevent permanent neurological damage.
Conclusion
If your neck clicks or pops when you turn it, it likely results from normal motions of the cervical facet joints releasing gas bubbles. This usually does not indicate a serious problem.
However, persistent clicking accompanied by pain or neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, or loss of coordination can be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
See your doctor for an exam if clicking is frequent or worsens, restricts motion, or occurs alongside other concerning symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of any underlying cause is important to improve your symptoms and prevent additional damage.
With appropriate professional treatment guided by the cause of clicking, most people find their symptoms can be successfully managed. In the meantime, conservative home remedies like rest, icing, over-the-counter medications, massage, and gentle stretches may provide relief.