Many people find neck cracking an oddly satisfying habit — often done to release tension after sitting for hours or stretching after a long day. The sharp popping sound can bring instant relief, but experts warn that this seemingly harmless act can have serious, even fatal, consequences.
What really causes that ‘crack’ sound
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the sound heard when cracking your neck isn’t your bones snapping but rather gas bubbles collapsing inside the joint’s lubricating fluid, known as synovial fluid. Chiropractor Dr. Andrew Bang explains that when you move a stiff joint, negative pressure forms inside the capsule, causing a popping noise as it’s released. In some cases, the sound may also come from ligaments or tendons shifting, or from skin separating from the soft tissue beneath.
Occasional cracking, Dr. Bang says, is normal and harmless. However, when done repeatedly or forcefully, it can loosen the ligaments and tendons around the neck, leading to instability and an increased risk of injury.
When neck cracking turns dangerous
As per Unilad, Dr. Michael Gartner, a plastic surgeon who discussed the potential dangers in a viral explainer video, said that while tearing a blood vessel in the neck from cracking requires significant force, it is still possible. The real danger arises when a blood vessel’s inner lining is damaged, which can lead to the formation of a clot.
If such a clot dislodges and travels to the brain or lungs, it can cause a stroke or other life-threatening complications. As Dr. Gartner explained, a stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, depriving it of oxygen and leading to potential paralysis, speech issues, or even death.
Real-life cases of strokes linked to neck cracking
There have been reported cases of strokes following neck cracking incidents. In 2023, Ryan MacCredie, a 44-year-old teacher from Ohio, suffered a stroke after cracking his neck. He later shared that he woke up five days later unable to walk or talk, as reported by ABC 5.
Similarly, in 2019, 28-year-old Josh Hader from Oklahoma experienced a severe stroke after stretching his neck. That same year, London resident Natalie Kunicki tore a vertebral artery while stretching and collapsed minutes later. Doctors found that the tear had caused a clot that led to a stroke.
The hidden risks of repetitive cracking
Beyond the immediate risk of vascular injury, experts caution that frequent neck cracking can cause long-term problems. Dr. Bang notes that over time, repeated manipulation can make joints overly loose — a condition called ligament laxity — increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. Though cracking itself doesn’t cause arthritis, the instability it creates can make joints wear down faster.
Other possible side effects include muscle strain or even pinched nerves, which can restrict movement and cause significant pain.
How to break the habit safely
For those who feel the constant urge to crack their neck, doctors recommend identifying the root cause — often poor posture, muscle tightness, or repetitive strain from daily activities. Dr. Bang suggests simple lifestyle changes such as adjusting your workstation, holding your phone at eye level, and regularly stretching your neck to relieve tension.
If the urge persists, he advises seeking professional help rather than self-adjusting. Chiropractic adjustments, when done correctly and infrequently, can relieve stiffness without causing damage. But overdoing it, even under professional care, can lead to the same looseness you’re trying to avoid.
What really causes that ‘crack’ sound
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the sound heard when cracking your neck isn’t your bones snapping but rather gas bubbles collapsing inside the joint’s lubricating fluid, known as synovial fluid. Chiropractor Dr. Andrew Bang explains that when you move a stiff joint, negative pressure forms inside the capsule, causing a popping noise as it’s released. In some cases, the sound may also come from ligaments or tendons shifting, or from skin separating from the soft tissue beneath.
Occasional cracking, Dr. Bang says, is normal and harmless. However, when done repeatedly or forcefully, it can loosen the ligaments and tendons around the neck, leading to instability and an increased risk of injury.
When neck cracking turns dangerous
As per Unilad, Dr. Michael Gartner, a plastic surgeon who discussed the potential dangers in a viral explainer video, said that while tearing a blood vessel in the neck from cracking requires significant force, it is still possible. The real danger arises when a blood vessel’s inner lining is damaged, which can lead to the formation of a clot.
If such a clot dislodges and travels to the brain or lungs, it can cause a stroke or other life-threatening complications. As Dr. Gartner explained, a stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, depriving it of oxygen and leading to potential paralysis, speech issues, or even death.
Real-life cases of strokes linked to neck cracking
There have been reported cases of strokes following neck cracking incidents. In 2023, Ryan MacCredie, a 44-year-old teacher from Ohio, suffered a stroke after cracking his neck. He later shared that he woke up five days later unable to walk or talk, as reported by ABC 5.
Similarly, in 2019, 28-year-old Josh Hader from Oklahoma experienced a severe stroke after stretching his neck. That same year, London resident Natalie Kunicki tore a vertebral artery while stretching and collapsed minutes later. Doctors found that the tear had caused a clot that led to a stroke.
The hidden risks of repetitive cracking
Beyond the immediate risk of vascular injury, experts caution that frequent neck cracking can cause long-term problems. Dr. Bang notes that over time, repeated manipulation can make joints overly loose — a condition called ligament laxity — increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. Though cracking itself doesn’t cause arthritis, the instability it creates can make joints wear down faster.
Other possible side effects include muscle strain or even pinched nerves, which can restrict movement and cause significant pain.
How to break the habit safely
For those who feel the constant urge to crack their neck, doctors recommend identifying the root cause — often poor posture, muscle tightness, or repetitive strain from daily activities. Dr. Bang suggests simple lifestyle changes such as adjusting your workstation, holding your phone at eye level, and regularly stretching your neck to relieve tension.
If the urge persists, he advises seeking professional help rather than self-adjusting. Chiropractic adjustments, when done correctly and infrequently, can relieve stiffness without causing damage. But overdoing it, even under professional care, can lead to the same looseness you’re trying to avoid.
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