My neck makes a grinding noise when I move my head.?

Question

And it really freaking hurts. What could it be?

Answer 1

I would suggest that you see a massage therapist and an osteopath. It could be from an accident, being in the same position at work or school or day, or the way that you sleep, or even stress, that the vertebrae in your neck are slightly off their ideal position (they should slot into each other).

This can obviously put strain on the muscles in the neck that hold up the head and cause pain. The pain chemicals leave acidic by-products which crystallise and make that crunchy sound.

Massage will help increase circulation to the area and therefore help dissipate the acid crystals and an osteopath will adjust your neck gently back into place so that the continued aggravation stops. Regular treatments will prevent it from re-occurring.

If you don't treat it somehow, the acids can build up and then calcium deposits (calcium is a buffer) will start to stiffen the area and restrict movement and lead to increased pressure in other parts of the body (eg between the shoulder blades).

Use a vegetable oil to massage it yourself for some relief (such as almond or apricot kernel) and maybe a warming liniment in the meantime. Keep the area warm with a heat pack if you can.

Answer 2

Well....I don't have anything really good to say. The same thing happened to me. I ended up seeing a guy that did nothing but deal with cervical vertebraes. He did an xray and then ended up doing an MRI. I had to have surgery which was truly awful ( SO painful and I would not do it again if I knew then what I know now!). After a year the darned noise was back and soon followed by the pain. After almost 5 years I still have the same pain, grinding noise and pain that shoots down both my arms which they blame on those vertebraes. These things were all supposed to be magically fixed and I still have them plus an ugly scar to boot!
I am probably a bad person to ask since I had such negative results with my surgery. I am sure that there are successful surgeries but mine was not one of them.
You should see a doctor though to find out if there is anything they can do for you.
Good luck!
I hope you ger some more positive replies!
Lady Trinity~

Answer 3

The grinding noise is an indication that your neck needs some time to relax. Don't try to massage your nape in particular coz it's the most delicate part of the body where the thin veins are located. Or else, you might cut a thin membrane that is connected to the brain.
Try to apply baby oil on your neck, shoulder and arms so as to ease the pain if ever it occurred.
Take care

Answer 4

funny u say this coz mine does 2 and it annoys the hell outa me. it feels as if my head is squashed down into my shoulders and im 4ever tryin 2 crack it. a visit 2 the chiro helps ALOT good luck

Answer 5

a broken neck.......dont move it !