crunching sound in my neck

[topless_mike]

Yo doc,

question for ya. when i walk, i can hear this faint cracking noise coming from my neck. sounds like it is where my neck meets the back of my dome. (medulla oblongata, if i am correct). it's like a "tsk" sound, and i hear it with every step that i take. odd part is, nobody else can hear it but me. if i block out any outside sounds (fingers in ear, earplugs, etc), i hear it even louder. wtf is this? i've never taken a bad fall, but do have a bad habit of cracking my neck. it doesnt hurt, but is just annoying.

am i going to die?

thanks doc. you're the shit.

[topless_mike]

Yo Funk Doc,

Just wanted to say Thank You for taking the time to answer all of our questions. I know that they may seem silly, or trivial, or downright ludicrous, but they are important. I know that you probably have more important things to do, but you always make time for us.

Thanks again, Doc. You're the shit.


XOXO

[Dr Steve]

Yo doc,

question for ya. when i walk, i can hear this faint cracking noise coming from my neck. sounds like it is where my neck meets the back of my dome. (medulla oblongata, if i am correct). it's like a "tsk" sound, and i hear it with every step that i take. odd part is, nobody else can hear it but me. if i block out any outside sounds (fingers in ear, earplugs, etc), i hear it even louder. wtf is this? i've never taken a bad fall, but do have a bad habit of cracking my neck. it doesnt hurt, but is just annoying.

am i going to die?

thanks doc. you're the shit.

Likely you have some arthritis in your neck bones, causing some rubbing sounds between the bones when you move. The fact that this gets louder when you put in earplugs (increases "conductive" hearing) increases the likelihood that it's something internal and bony.

Your primary care provider can get a neck x-ray to see if there's something ragged hanging around in there. Chiropractors claim they can help this kind of symptom with spinal manipulation. Some providers think glucosamine supplements will help with stuff like this, but I'm not sure I'm convinced.

let me know how this turns out


your pal,



steve

[jackportd]

Popping sounds can sometimes be heard when a muscle or tendon slides over a bony bump. The sound you hear may also be the gliding of joints as you turn your neck. Articular cartilage forms a smooth covering over the surface of healthy joints. If your joint has been injured or becomes inflamed, the surface may thicken, creating a rubbing sound as you move. A courser grinding or crunching may indicate more advanced changes in the surfaces of one or more joints. Such changes can be caused by osteoarthritis (OA). OA can happen from normal wear and tear, especially when there has been a change in the alignment of your joint. Joint alignment can be changed following an injury, when your muscles are tense or in spasm, or from poor spine postures that have been used over the years. A physical therapy program to help with your posture and muscle balance can improve movement in your neck and may help stop the noise.