Is self-adjusting your neck bad for you? The short answer is yes. It is bad for you and can lead to problems like arthritis! Let us explain why self-adjusting (regardless whether you use your hand for pressure or whip your head to the side) is bad for you. Your neck is comprised of seven vertebrae and the joints between these vertebrae are responsible for movement. When you feel the need to adjust your neck, that indicates that you have a spot or two that is painful, stiff and not moving like it is designed to be. Your neck wants to be able to move fully, therefore to adapt to the stiff segments, the segments adjacent to that stiff and immobile segment end up moving more to compensate. When this happens, you now have one joint that is stiff and not moving correctly and possibly two or more joints that are now moving too much. When you self-adjust yourself, you are more than likely moving and “cracking” the segments that are already moving too much. Short term, this might feel good. But long term, what you end up doing is increasing the rate of progression of wear and tear (aka arthritis) in those hypermobile joints.

There are a number of different things you can do if you feel the need to self-adjust your neck. The first is to schedule an appointment with our chiropractors. We will perform a focused adjustment to the problem areas. This will make you feel better while also correcting the issue and prevent any further degeneration. We will also recommend different stretches and exercises for you to perform that are relieving and also aid in the prevention of asymmetry starting to develop. By getting adjusted and through following our recommendations, we can reduce that urge and need to self-adjust your neck and ultimately help avoid any problems (ARTHRITIS) from developing.

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