Clicking in Neck
- Brian Cassel
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hearing or feeling a clicking in your neck can be unsettling, especially if it happens often. Many people in Doylestown and Bucks County experience this sensation during daily activities like turning their head, working at a desk, or looking down at a phone. In most cases, clicking in the neck is common and not dangerous, but knowing when to get it checked matters.
Why Does My Neck Click?
Clicking in the neck usually comes from normal movement within the cervical spine. Common causes include:
Gas bubbles releasing inside neck joints
Tight muscles or tendons moving over bone
Stiffness in one part of the neck causing extra motion elsewhere
If the clicking is painless and not limiting your movement, it is often harmless.
Is It Bad to Crack Your Neck to Get Rid of a Clicking Sound?
Occasionally cracking your neck is usually not a problem. However, repeatedly forcing your neck to crack or twisting it aggressively can irritate joints and strain ligaments over time.
If you feel like you constantly need to crack your neck for relief, that is often a sign of underlying stiffness, weakness, or poor movement patterns rather than a solution.
When Clicking in the Neck Should Be Checked
Clicking deserves attention if it happens along with:
Neck pain or frequent headaches
Stiffness that does not improve
Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or hands
A feeling of catching or locking in the neck
These symptoms may indicate joint irritation, nerve involvement, or movement dysfunction.
How Physical Therapy Helps Clicking in the Neck
Physical therapy addresses why your neck is clicking, not just the noise itself. Treatment often includes improving joint mobility, strengthening supportive muscles, correcting posture, and teaching safe movement strategies.
At Doylestown Sports Medicine Center, physical therapists evaluate how your neck, shoulders, and upper back work together to reduce strain and improve long-term comfort.
When to See a Physical Therapist in Doylestown
You should consider physical therapy if:
Clicking is paired with pain or stiffness
You rely on cracking your neck to feel relief
Symptoms affect work, sleep, or daily activities
You want to prevent future neck problems
Early care can often prevent minor issues from becoming chronic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clicking in the Neck
Is clicking in the neck normal?
Yes. Clicking in the neck is very common and often caused by normal joint movement or muscle tightness. Clicking without pain is usually not serious.
Why does my neck click more when I turn my head?
Turning your head places motion through multiple small joints. If one area is stiff, other joints may move more, creating clicking or popping sounds.
Should I stop cracking my neck?
You do not need to panic if you crack your neck occasionally, but frequent or forceful cracking is not recommended. It is best to address the underlying cause.
Can poor posture cause clicking in the neck?
Yes. Forward head posture and prolonged desk work can increase stress on the cervical spine and make clicking more noticeable.
When should I see a physical therapist for neck clicking?
You should see a physical therapist if clicking is painful, persistent, or associated with headaches, stiffness, or arm symptoms.
Can physical therapy stop my neck from clicking?
The goal of physical therapy is not to eliminate every sound, but to improve movement, reduce discomfort, and prevent future problems. Many people notice less clicking as function improves.
