Neck Cracking/Tmj - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

kikaida01 · 12-17-2004, 07:52 PM

My neck seems to be cracking when I move it. I can just turn my head and I will hear a cracking noise. There isn't any pain but the noise is irritating. I don't know if the tmj is caused the neck cracking or the neck is caused the tmj. Btw, I do see a chiropractor and he does do neck adjustments on me. I also sometimes compulsively crack my neck. So I don't know if that is why my neck muscles are all messed up.

mikeb · 01-06-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikaida01

My neck seems to be cracking when I move it. I can just turn my head and I will hear a cracking noise. There isn't any pain but the noise is irritating. I don't know if the tmj is caused the neck cracking or the neck is caused the tmj. Btw, I do see a chiropractor and he does do neck adjustments on me. I also sometimes compulsively crack my neck. So I don't know if that is why my neck muscles are all messed up.

I too am looking for answers to a similar condition that I've developed. When I move my head in any direction, I hear a crackling noise (rice crispy's) at the base of my skull. Sounds like what you're experiencing (or similar). Have you been able to find any info yet?

I'd describe mine like grit or air/gas or particles trapped between the base of the skull and the first vertibra.

Is yours similar to this?

sunshine123 · 01-07-2005, 11:08 AM

I've had neck cracking for a long time. The noise is so loud. It doesn't really hurt. I have osteoarthritis in my neck, as well as several other places.

Michelle W · 01-07-2005, 12:57 PM

I have the same problem. What causes the noise is it muscles or bones? I wonder what is happening physically within the neck to cause the noise.

delilah1963 · 01-07-2005, 02:31 PM

I can intentionally "pop" my cervical discs in my neck, but that is not the same as two other "phenomena" I experience. I don't think it is harmful, it doesn't seem to be any different than the release a chiropractic adjustment provides, though I think sometimes I do it too compulsively too -- big surprise from a TMJ'er.

The other phenomena are:

1. At times when I turn my head there is a light very rapid series of crunching noises in the back of my head at the base. I believe these are facet joints sublaxating. Not sure of the sublaxation term, but my PM doc told me it was the facet joints. This could be what Mike B. is experiencing too.

2. I also when I turn my head to the left experience a snap behind my left mandible bone at the base of my ear. This snapping I am certain is soft tissue, tendon or ligament or something, but it is yet undefined, by many doctors.

The older I get, the more I snap crackle and pop all the way around.
LOL

TGIF everyone.
Del