What causes gas bubbles in the neck?

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that a crackling neck sound, known as crepitus, is often caused by gas bubbles forming and collapsing within your joints, much like cracking your knuckles? For many, this is a normal occurrence, but there are several other, more serious potential causes behind the feeling of gas bubbles in the neck.

Quick Summary

Bubbling sensations in the neck can range from benign joint crepitus to symptoms of acid reflux, globus sensation, or the far more serious condition of subcutaneous emphysema, where air becomes trapped under the skin. A proper diagnosis is crucial to distinguish between these causes.

Key Points

Joint Crepitus is Common: The most frequent cause of a popping or cracking sensation in the neck is harmless gas bubbles in the synovial fluid of the facet joints, similar to cracking knuckles.
Acid Reflux can Cause Throat Bubbles: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and particularly silent reflux (LPR), can cause stomach acid to irritate the throat, leading to a bubbling or gurgling feeling.
Globus Sensation is Often Linked to Stress: The feeling of a persistent lump or bubble in the throat, known as globus sensation, is frequently caused by anxiety, stress, or increased muscle tension in the throat.
Subcutaneous Emphysema is Serious: If you can feel a crackling or rice-crispy-like texture directly under the skin of your neck, it could be subcutaneous emphysema, a rare condition where air is trapped beneath the skin and is a medical emergency.
Diving and Trauma can Cause Trapped Air: Activities like scuba diving or chest/neck trauma can cause barotrauma or fractures that lead to air leaking from the respiratory system into surrounding tissues.
Know the Red Flags: Seek immediate medical help if neck bubbling is accompanied by significant pain, swelling, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, as it could signal a serious underlying issue.

Understanding Neck Crepitus: A Common Cause

For many people, the sensation of gas bubbles in the neck is actually neck crepitus, a harmless popping or cracking sound originating from the cervical spine. This phenomenon is similar to the cracking of knuckles and is often not a cause for concern unless accompanied by pain.

The Science Behind Joint Popping

Within the facet joints of your neck are small sacs of lubricating synovial fluid. This fluid contains dissolved gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When you stretch or move your neck, the joint capsule stretches, causing a rapid decrease in pressure within the synovial fluid. This pressure drop can cause the dissolved gases to come out of the solution, forming tiny bubbles. The popping sound occurs when these bubbles either form or collapse. Research has gone back and forth on whether the pop comes from the bubble's formation or collapse, but the key takeaway is the benign, pressure-related cause.

When Crepitus Becomes More Common

As we age, the cartilage between our neck vertebrae can wear down, a condition known as cervical spondylosis. This can cause the joints to move differently, leading to more frequent popping or grinding noises as bone surfaces move against each other. Muscle stiffness, poor posture, and ligaments or tendons catching on bone can also contribute to these sounds. Unless these sounds are consistently accompanied by pain, swelling, or limited range of motion, they are typically nothing to worry about.

Digestive Issues: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

A feeling of bubbling or air in the neck can also be a symptom of gastrointestinal problems, specifically acid reflux or GERD. This occurs when stomach acid and sometimes undigested food flow back up into the esophagus and throat.

How Reflux Affects the Throat

Irritation: Stomach acid can irritate the delicate lining of the esophagus and throat, causing muscle spasms that might feel like bubbling. This is especially true for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), or "silent reflux," where acid travels higher up but without the typical heartburn sensation.
Increased Mucus: In response to the irritation, the body can produce excess mucus, which can mix with air and create a bubbly, tickling sensation in the throat.
Swallowing Issues: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or a feeling of something being stuck in the throat (globus sensation) can also be related to reflux and sometimes feel like gas bubbles.

Psychological Factors: Globus Sensation

Another common, albeit anxiety-inducing, cause for the feeling of a lump or bubbles in the throat is globus sensation (formerly known as globus hystericus). This condition is a painless, intermittent sensation that there is a lump in the throat when there isn't one.

The Link Between Stress and Globus

Stress, anxiety, and holding back strong emotions are strongly linked to globus sensation. When stressed, the muscles in the throat can become tense, leading to the feeling of tightness or a lump. Focusing on the symptom can make it feel worse. Techniques for relaxation, abdominal breathing, and distraction can often help alleviate symptoms.

Subcutaneous Emphysema: A Serious Condition

While rare, a true feeling of gas bubbles under the skin of the neck could be a sign of subcutaneous emphysema. This is a medical condition where air becomes trapped in the subcutaneous tissues. It is often a symptom of a more severe underlying problem and requires immediate medical attention.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Crepitus: Unlike joint crepitus, the crackling sensation of subcutaneous emphysema can be felt by touching the swollen area, like touching Rice Krispies.
Swelling: The neck and chest may appear swollen due to the trapped air.
Other Symptoms: Hoarseness, a full feeling in the neck, and trouble breathing can occur with more severe cases.

Potential Causes of Subcutaneous Emphysema

Air can leak into the tissues from several places:

Respiratory Tract: Airway ruptures from trauma, medical procedures like intubation, or forceful actions such as coughing or vomiting.
Digestive Tract: A tear or perforation in the esophagus.
Chest (Mediastinum): A related condition called pneumomediastinum, where air leaks into the chest cavity and then travels up into the neck.
Diving Incidents: Sudden pressure changes during scuba diving (barotrauma) can cause air to leak into the tissues.

Comparing Causes of Neck Bubbles


Symptom	Joint Crepitus	GERD / Globus	Subcutaneous Emphysema
Sensation	Audible pop or crack; can be felt deep inside	Tightness, lump, or gurgling	Crackling or popping directly under the skin when touched
Location	Cervical spine (deep)	Throat / Esophagus	Under the skin, can spread from neck to chest
Pain	Usually absent; may be present with arthritis or injury	Heartburn, sore throat, or no pain (LPR)	Typically accompanied by pain, especially with trauma
Associated Symptoms	Stiffness, reduced range of motion	Heartburn, regurgitation, voice changes, anxiety	Swelling, respiratory distress, difficulty swallowing
Severity	Generally harmless; benign	Annoying; manageable; can become chronic	Can be a sign of a medical emergency

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many causes of neck bubbling are benign, it is important to be aware of when symptoms warrant a professional medical evaluation. You should consult a doctor if:

The popping or crackling sensation is accompanied by pain, swelling, or warmth.
You experience new symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, or trouble swallowing.
The sensation is linked to a recent injury or medical procedure.
Symptoms persist, worsen, or are causing you significant distress.

Conclusion

While the feeling of gas bubbles in the neck can have a variety of causes, from harmless joint crepitus to more complex digestive or psychological issues, it is essential to consider the potential for more serious conditions like subcutaneous emphysema. By paying attention to associated symptoms and seeking medical advice when necessary, you can get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. For more information on health conditions, consult reliable medical resources such as the Cleveland Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

While unlikely, some serious causes of trapped air in the chest and neck, such as a pneumomediastinum, can cause chest pain. If the sensation is accompanied by severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain radiating to the jaw or arm, seek emergency medical care immediately to rule out a cardiac event.

Harmless joint crepitus is usually not accompanied by pain. If the sound is intermittent and not associated with pain, swelling, or limited movement, it's typically benign. Painful or repetitive grinding, however, warrants a medical evaluation.

Yes, dietary changes are often the first line of defense for reflux-related symptoms. Avoiding trigger foods like spicy and fatty meals, caffeine, and alcohol can reduce acid production. Eating smaller meals and not lying down immediately after eating can also be beneficial.

The most defining symptom of subcutaneous emphysema is a crackling or popping sensation, known as crepitus, when you touch the affected skin. It can feel similar to touching Rice Krispies and is caused by the air bubbles moving through the tissue beneath the skin.

While occasional neck cracking is not proven to cause arthritis, repetitive, forceful manipulation of the neck is not recommended. It can overstretch ligaments and potentially lead to joint instability. If you feel the need to crack your neck often, it might indicate stiffness or hypermobility that should be addressed with a healthcare provider.

Yes, globus sensation, which can feel like a lump or bubbles, is strongly associated with anxiety and stress. The muscles in the throat and pharynx tighten in response to psychological stress, creating the physical sensation. Relaxation techniques can help manage this.

Yes, in rare cases, air can enter the soft tissues of the neck during high-speed dental procedures. This can lead to subcutaneous emphysema, where the air travels from the oral cavity into the neck. This would be a sudden onset of symptoms following the procedure.