Can Cracking Your Neck Trigger a Stroke? Know the Risks and Symptoms

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Cracking the neck is a common habit when the body feels sore or stiff, particularly after sitting at work or looking at a mobile phone screen for too long. The sound produced when turning the neck can sometimes bring relief and make the muscles feel more relaxed.

However, the habit is often associated with the risk of blood vessel injuries and stroke. Some cases of stroke in younger people have reportedly been linked to sudden neck manipulation.

So, can cracking your neck really trigger a stroke? What happens in the body when the neck is cracked?

Neck cracking involves moving or rotating the neck until it produces a particular sound. This sound generally comes from changes in pressure and the formation of gas bubbles in the joint fluid, rather than the neck bones rubbing together or breaking.

Even so, neck movements that are too forceful or sudden, or involve excessive pressure, can potentially injure surrounding tissue.

One condition to be aware of is cervical artery dissection, a tear in the inner lining of an artery in the neck that carries blood to the brain.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), this can occur in either the carotid or vertebral arteries. A tear can allow blood to enter the layers of the vessel wall, form a clot or obstruct blood flow.

If a clot travels to the brain and blocks a blood vessel, it can cause an ischaemic stroke.

Not every sound or movement in the neck automatically causes a stroke. The risk is considered rare, but should still be taken seriously.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says spinal manipulation, particularly in the neck, has been linked to cases of cervical artery dissection that can lead to stroke.

However, a cause-and-effect relationship between neck manipulation and stroke has not been definitively established. Some studies have found an association, while others have produced inconclusive results.

The American Heart Association also says that a tear in a neck blood vessel can occur without major trauma. Sudden neck movements or certain mechanical forces are thought to play a role in some cases.

This does not mean that everyone who cracks their neck will have a stroke. However, forcibly twisting or pulling the neck should be avoided because it could cause injury.

A tear in a neck blood vessel does not always cause obvious symptoms straight away. Some complaints may even resemble an ordinary headache or muscle pain.

Nevertheless, there are several signs to look out for:

• Sudden neck or head pain, particularly if it feels different from a usual headache.

• Dizziness or vertigo, with a spinning sensation or loss of balance.

• Vision problems, such as sudden blurred or double vision.

• Coordination problems, including difficulty walking, loss of balance or impaired body movement.

• Speech problems, such as difficulty speaking or understanding other people.

• Weakness in a limb: sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face, arm or leg.

If you experience symptoms such as speech problems, weakness on one side of the body or sudden vision problems, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not wait for the symptoms to go away on their own.