Sleeping ‘badly’, either on too many pillows or on an uneven surface. Hunching when walking or sitting and stooping over a desk for long periods of time. The most common cause of a clicking sound is neck muscle spasm, usually of the trapezius muscle of the back or sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck. Technically this is usually more of a grating sound.Ĭlicking Neck : Picture of Neck & Back Muscles & Vertebral Column What causes tight neck muscles? Common Causes of Neck Muscle Spasm Adhesions in the joints may also cause a clicking noise during twisting and turning the head as it impairs the movement.Rapid stretching of ligaments may cause a snapping noise, especially when there is sufficient force in the opposite direction, possibly from severe muscle spasm.The articulating vertebral facets (point at which two vertebrae rub together) may also cause a clicking noise in certain conditions where the joint is not adequately ‘lubricated’ and flexible.

Herniated vertebral disc (bulging disc) may cause two neighboring vertebrae (bones of the spine) to lie closely together and rub against each other upon quick movement.

Gas bubbles within any joint fluid can also cause this snapping noise. It is a result of a a force causing a temporary vacuum within the joint, which then collapses and causes a clicking noise.

Cavitation is a common term used by chiropractors and the cracking sound you may hear when having a chiropractic adjustment.

By attempting to move your head in the opposite direction, against the pull of the spasm, a clicking sound may be heard. The spasm causes the muscle to ‘shorten’ and pull on the bones of the spine (vertebral column).

This is commonly one-sided but can occur on both sides of the neck and back.

Usually the strain on the vertebrae is caused by spasm (knots or cramps) of the trapezius muscle of the back or the sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck. Most cases of a clicking neck are harmless but indicates a progressing condition, if the clicking noise can be repeated with every tilt or twist of the head. What causes a cracking neck sound? Causes of a Clicking Neck

Does snapping a neck kill instantly