If your neck is sore or stiff after a long day, then you consider turning your head from side to side and “cracking” your neck. This popping or cracking sound can occur with a twist and turn of the head or with added pressure from your hands on the side of your head, though you should really leave that to the professionals. If you were recently injured in a car accident and are feeling sore and stiff afterward, then you definitely want to skip the quick relief of popping your neck and visit professional car accident chiropractors instead. An injury to your neck can actually be aggravated or further damaged if you try to crack your neck on your own.
What Actually Happens When You Crack Your Neck
You might be wondering, “Is it bad to crack your neck?” When done properly, it can provide you with relief. That is because when you crack your neck, it releases gases in the joints that make up your spine. The cracking sound isn’t actually the sound of a bone popping or cracking, contrary to popular belief! The vertebrae in your spine are actually joints, and gas bubbles can build up and then be released by certain movements. You may also experience a greater sense of relief after cracking or popping your neck because it can also cause a release of endorphins. Endorphins are commonly referred to as the “feel-good chemical” because these hormones can briefly reduce your pain symptoms and produce a brief sense of euphoria. However, cracking or popping your neck should never cause more pain or discomfort, and if it does, then you may have unintentionally caused yourself harm. That’s why it is best to leave spinal manipulation to chiropractors who are trained to properly relieve your pain.
Neck Injuries and Neck Cracking
The most common neck injury suffered among car accident victims is whiplash. A rear-end collision like a fender-bender can cause your head and neck to snap forward and backward violently with the force of impact. This can strain the muscles and tendons in your neck and also put pressure and strain on your spine in your neck and upper back. Whiplash can damage your spine and cause pain, stiffness, and soreness afterward. While you might think turning your head from side to side to release some tension and crack your neck might help, it could actually disrupt your healing and recovery process if not done properly. Car accident chiropractors are highly knowledgeable and skilled in how to treat neck injuries and help you experience more than just temporary relief from your pain. Instead of trying to crack your neck on your own, visit a car accident chiropractor who can perform chiropractic adjustments that help resolve misalignments and disruptions to the spine naturally and safely.
Chiropractic Care for Neck Injuries
You might be surprised to learn that you can experience the same type of relief from a spinal adjustment without hearing the cracking or popping sound. In fact, many people who get chiropractic adjustments don’t end up experiencing the stereotypical sound associated with cracking or popping your neck. When done properly by a chiropractor, you can actually experience lasting results because the vertebrae in your spine are properly aligned and functioning at their best. When you visit a car accident chiropractor for a neck injury like whiplash, they will want to assess the area and determine how the spine has been affected by the trauma. This will help to determine the best treatment for your neck injury. For mild cases of whiplash, your chiropractor will likely recommend rest, icing the area, and gentle therapeutic stretches to address pain and stiffness. Car accident chiropractors can also provide therapeutic chiropractic adjustments for mild to severe whiplash that helps restore proper functioning and alignment in the spine.
Chiropractic care offers a wide range of benefits and relief from neck pain and stiffness. In addition to properly adjusting the vertebrae in your neck, they can walk you through therapeutic exercises to help you improve strength and mobility after a neck injury. If you were recently injured in a car accident and are experiencing neck pain and discomfort, then visit a car accident chiropractor at Pro-Care Medical Centers to get quality, effective, and rapid results for your pain!
