crackling noise in my neck/head area

[Karenkim]

Hello:  I am wondering if this is a very serious condition.  I have a rice crispy sound popping grinding like noise.  This is experienced when I turn my head from shoulder to shoulder or back and forth.  I get vertigo as well.  No headaches or pain, just a very weird sound coming from my neck or the back of my head.  Any clue?

Thank you,
Karen

[Achey916]

Karen,

I have exactly the same thing.  My neck grinds and cracks with weird noises when I turn my head from side to side.  I did head MRI and it was normal.  My pcp doesn't know, but she suspect arithritis.  Maybe someone else have the same issues with some advise.  I am assuming some neck stretching and exercise might be beneficial.

[RPSINGH]

I hear rice cripsy noise while turning my neck or head. My x-ray report is normal. Does any one knows its diagnosis and treatment. My name is Rajendra Singh and email: ***@****

[Lee_1963]

This is most likely due to loss of disk between your vertibrae that could cause arthritis. I would find a chiropractor, get some x-rays done. Check the chiropractor's references thoroughly before hand. Your spine is not something to take lightly. Good luck and I'll be praying for you.

[Miri775]

I have it too...nothing to worry about, just do some neck exercises, its help

[krewood]

Karen,
    I just asked an orthopedic surgeon about this and was told that it was degenerative, possibly arthritis, and that a lot of people have it. I have noticed it for the last couple months- it doesn't hurt, but the "crackling and crunching" IS a little unsettling. I would love to find out if neck exercises have any effect.

[pr3629]

I GET THE NOISE WHEN I WALK AND CLIMB UP STAIRS, ALSO WHEN I GO TO BED IT'S ALWAYS THERE IT'S A PAIN DOES ANYONE GET MY SYMPTOMS AND ALSO DOES IT WAKE YOU AT NIGHT

[Babs835]

AM 52 YEARS OLD i HAVE THE SAME THING i WOKE UP WITH A STIFF NECK THAT WOULD,NT GO AWAY FEELING  TIRED AND OFF BALANCE AND CRUNCHING NOISE WHEN i MOVE MY HEAD AROUND AFTER THE X RAYS ,MRIYHAVE 2 BONES OUT OF JOINT AND CHRONIC ARTHRITIS NOW i AM GOING TO  THERAPYBABS835

[DrTanase]

The audible sounds you're hearing are due to the process of joint degeneration within your cervical spine. It's a sign of weakening stability.

If you find a good Upper Cervical chiropractor (www.UpCspine.com) to stabilize the area, often times those noises will diminish, or go away altogether.

[Allan764]

Yes its due to 3 things: 1) Sporting or wrestling somebody put you into a tight headlock for 15 -20 seconds. 2) Degenerative conditions of the Discs 3) When you reach age 41. All These Audible noises have no pain. Please see your Doctor as soon as possible and tell them the truth how it or could off happened. Put a Heat Pack on do some Physiopherapy, keep head straight when sleeping.

[NeckMess]

I have had the same problem. I had x-rays and an MRI. Started going to physical therapy and the therapist said it is muscle spasms. The results of the MRI were mild muscle spasms but otherwise negative same as my x-rays. I also have vertigo which is a bummer. The exercises help but my neck is in constant stiff mode...Not sure what else to do other than hope pt is the answer...

[IleanaC]

I have the cracking of the neck to and I know it is arthritis, I used to do the collanetics neck exersises, I guess it did work, if you have any additrional information about this please let me know.  

Also I wont get into details because it is a long story, but about 10 yrs ago 51 yrs old,I had a terrible ear infection and my neck cracking, they got me in Antibiotis and it did not help.  So by a circumstance that was a blessing I found out abuout "Angelica" (research it) well it cure my craking and Vertigo which was very severe.  Now 61 yrs old I had same problem and remembered the "Angelica" I am getting better, please check before using it. I has help me as a miracle and my Vertigo is almost Gone.

[sinead87]

im 16 and ive been getting that noise in my neck sometimes, i think its something to do with fluid moving around your body, but its in the neck area so you can hear it, its nothing to worry about and theres nothing wrong with you. its normal

[sinead87]

im 16 and ive been getting that noise in my neck sometimes, i think its something to do with fluid moving around your body, but its in the neck area so you can hear it, its nothing to worry about and theres nothing wrong with you. its normal

[acuffm]

Going thru the same thing as far as the noise in the neck/head area. I just finished CT and MRI. I have a few issues as mentioned by others. I was told that as annoying as it is that if pain isn`t involved there`s nothing to worry about.

[Niaces1976]

to me when mine pops it annoying to me but when someone else pop it doesn't bother me

[Tedster]

To all that has posted with a concern:

I say this to all and that is a major issue with that noise. I was experiencing that as well. what that is. It is a disk possibly more then one ruptured or bulging out. When the disk is pushed out or bulging causes dryness in the vertebrae, hence the crackling sound being made. These disks act as a bushing so to speak and without it, it is just bone moving.

Mine got worse on Dec 1st when a car slammed into my car causing the disks to now push along the spinal cord.  They want to do fusions on my C4-C5 and C6-C7. But I was told not to let them fuse anything because it will make it worse. I know about 125 people now suffering with more pain then the normal pain and headaches caused by bulging disks.

The only corrective surgery is a fusion, but that is not worth it. as long as your spinal cord is not pinched then you will be okay outside of pain and irritation and some noises.

[mahager2]

I am experiencing the same thing and I am only in my teens.  It is a noise that only i can hear and it sounds like something is getting rubbed together between my skull and spinal cord; however, it is not a popping noise like a joint being popped.  It is a definite grinding/crunching/crackling sound/feeling.  I feel like i notice it more often when I am lacking sleep, but that might just be a coincidence.  I'm starting to become more concerned because it is starting to happen more often.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what it might be or what they that done when they had the same symptoms.

[mcnoodle]

I have been having the same crackling noise for about 10 years and it's good to know that I am not alone. I would love to know what causes the irritating crackling noise. I always wondered if anyone else could hear it or if I was just nuts.

[steph1256]

i have the same thing so i went to a chiropractor and he said that my spine looked perfect who else do i need to see to get the sound gone it feels like my neck is popping out of place ive been dealing with it for 6mths and it's getting worse

[grtmom]

I too have noticed a crunchy, grinding sound when I turn my head from side to side.  The noise is like fingers on a chalk board to me.  Mine is at the top of my neck and right in the groove under the base of my skull.  I also have a heavy feeling in my head and dizziness.  Actually, I am having close to 10 dizzy spells a day. Hopefully, going to the doctor soon.  My insurance is pulling out of my state and dropping me, so I don't want to see one just yet.  I don't want a "preexsisting" condition not being covered. Glad to see some other people have this.

[wotchew]

I have a stiff neck with a crunchy rice krispy sort of sound too. I get a lot of muscle tension, and sometimes pain in my back, had x rays done and they said that I have degeneration, not a very pleasant sensation. I went to a chiropractor who only made it worse!!!

[YannaBean]

My neck cracks, crackles, pops...you name it... everytime I move it!  It's only been a few months and the noise drives me crazy!  It's worse and louder in the evening but still constant.  Going to try PT in a few days hope it helps/  Can't imangine it being good for your neck, all the cracking..And besides not the best for your mental health!  Had an ex-ray and came back fine.

[sunnys42]

I have had this crackeling in my neck for years, now for the last 2-3 years I have suffered horrible headaches and heat in my head, and the crackeling has turned into the feeling of shards of glass breaking,  I now am also having pain in my ears.  the doc says my ears look fine. sometimes these head aches would last for weeks, nothing would get rid of them or ease them but 4 to 6  ibuprifone and 2 tylenol at the same time..  I have treated them that way for years as the doctors kept telling me nothing is wrong.  I now has stomache problems due to using these meds for too long.   Going to the chiropractor made the pain in my head and neck worse.  I have tried three different ones.
I moved to another city recently, the headaches were unbaerable by this time and lasting a month or so. when I turn my head and it shoots pain into my head and feels like presure in my ears.
   I went to a doctor here when  I started having pain in my arms so bad that I could not stand it.  she did ex-rays which she said did not show anything, but sent me to a spine doctor. they did an MRI and some blood test.  a year earlier I had a test  for RA but was negative, this time it is posative, this doctor states this is the stiff constant crackeling in my head and neck.  also  I have disc protrusions in the middle of my back that can also cause other problems through out the spine.
   They refered my to an RA doctor, here it takes 3 to 6 months to get into one. I now am waiting in missery,  and scared, because i am missing a lot of work due to the pain,  fmla time will run out before my RA appointment.  
*  Be Persistant with your doctors,     This is not normal.       Even if it is just irritating at this point, do something proactive to keep it from getting worse.
  Massage does help to keep blood flow and nutrients flowing through the area and helps it from becoming very stiff. it also helps with pain if you have it.  get a pillow that will support your neck while you sleep and is not to stiff.

[claireox542]

ive had them ever since i can remember,no 1 understood me and it sounded like i was going mad im 35 and still get it.but its nice to hear that im not alone ive never been treated for it just lived with it all my life.

[groovermaddness]

just had medal rods placed from c3 thru c7. feel a popping when neck moves, Is it the muscles snapping or something else....