Why do I hear air bubbles in my neck? Understanding crepitus and what it means

September 27, 2025 •

3 min read

Known medically as neck crepitus, the sensation of popping, cracking, or hearing what sounds like air bubbles in the neck is a common phenomenon that many people experience. These noises often have a simple, harmless cause related to normal joint function in your cervical spine.

Quick Summary

Hearing popping or cracking sounds in your neck is typically due to neck crepitus, caused by the harmless release of gas bubbles from your spinal joints, movement of tendons, or age-related cartilage changes. It is generally benign unless accompanied by pain, stiffness, or neurological symptoms.

Key Points

Crepitus Explained: The sensation of "air bubbles" or popping in your neck is known as crepitus, which is often a harmless, natural occurrence [1, 2].
Gas Release: The most common cause of the popping sound is the release of gas bubbles (cavitation) from the synovial fluid in your spinal joints [1, 2, 4].
Other Factors: Other benign causes include the movement of ligaments and tendons over bone, or minor degenerative changes that occur with age [1, 4].
When to Worry: Seek medical advice if neck noises are accompanied by pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, or dizziness [1, 2, 5, 6].
Management Strategies: Improving your posture, performing gentle stretches, and using heat or ice can effectively manage and reduce benign neck sounds [1, 2, 5].
Expert Help: A physical therapist can provide targeted exercises to strengthen and stabilize the neck, addressing muscular imbalances that contribute to crepitus [1].

What is Neck Crepitus?

Neck crepitus refers to the sounds, such as cracking, popping, or grinding, that occur during neck movement. The description of hearing "air bubbles" is a common way people perceive these sounds, which stem from mechanical processes within the cervical spine [1, 2].

The Common Causes of Neck Noises

Most neck noises are not a cause for concern and are generally benign. The main causes include:

Cavitation (Gas Bubble Release): This is the most frequent source of popping sounds. Similar to cracking knuckles, the facet joints in the neck contain synovial fluid with dissolved gases. Changes in joint pressure during movement can cause these gases to form or collapse bubbles, producing a popping or cracking sound when they burst. This process is normal and doesn't lead to arthritis [1, 2, 4].
Ligament and Tendon Movement: Snapping sounds can occur when ligaments or tendons in the neck move across bony structures and then return to their position. This is more common with tight muscles, possibly due to poor posture or stress [1].
Degenerative Changes: With age, the cartilage cushioning neck vertebrae can wear down (osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis). This can cause bones to rub together, creating a grinding or crunching sensation, often along with pain or stiffness [1, 4].

Benign Noises vs. Concerning Symptoms

Neck crepitus is usually harmless, but sometimes it can indicate an underlying problem. It's important to note accompanying symptoms. [1, 2, 5, 6].


Feature	Benign Neck Noise (Likely Crepitus)	Concerning Neck Noise (Medical Evaluation Recommended)
Accompanying Pain	No pain or mild, temporary discomfort.	Persistent, severe, or worsening neck pain [1, 2, 5].
Associated Symptoms	No other symptoms.	Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or hands [1, 2, 5].
Sound Quality	Distinct pop or crack.	Grinding or crunching sensation [1, 2, 4].
Range of Motion	Normal range of motion.	Stiffness or limited mobility in the neck [1, 5].
Timing	Occasional or only with certain movements.	Consistent and frequent, occurring with most movements [1].
Trigger	Stretching or twisting the neck.	May occur spontaneously or after a trauma [1, 5].

When to Seek Medical Attention

If neck noises are accompanied by certain symptoms, it's recommended to consult a healthcare provider. These symptoms include persistent pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, dizziness, headaches, changes in coordination, stiffness, reduced range of motion, or noises that started after an injury [1, 2, 5, 6].

How to Manage Benign Neck Crepitus

For non-painful neck crepitus, several approaches can help improve neck health and potentially reduce the sounds [1, 2, 5]:

1. Improve Your Posture

Poor posture, especially from looking at screens for extended periods, can lead to neck tension. Maintaining good posture by keeping your monitor at eye level, supporting your back, and avoiding looking down at your phone can help [1, 2].

2. Incorporate Gentle Stretches

Regular, gentle stretching can improve neck flexibility. Examples include neck tilts towards your shoulder, chin tucks towards your chest, and shoulder rolls [1, 2, 5].

3. Use Heat or Ice

Applying heat can relax tight neck muscles, while ice can help reduce inflammation if there's soreness. Use for 10–15 minutes at a time [1, 5].

4. Optimize Your Sleep

A supportive pillow that aligns your head and neck with your spine is important. Sleeping on your back or side is generally better for neck health than sleeping on your stomach [1].

The Role of Physical Therapy and Other Treatments

For more persistent issues or if pain is present, a physical therapist can evaluate your condition and recommend exercises to strengthen neck muscles, improve range of motion, and correct posture imbalances [1]. In some instances, imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs might be used to check for degenerative changes [1, 4]. For severe underlying conditions, treatments like injections or surgery might be considered, but this is uncommon for typical crepitus [1].

More details on the causes of neck cracking and grinding can be found here.

Conclusion

While the sensation of air bubbles or other noises in the neck is usually a harmless result of gas release from the joints, it's important to consult a healthcare professional if these sounds are accompanied by persistent pain, stiffness, or neurological symptoms. Lifestyle adjustments like improving posture, gentle stretching, and using heat or ice can often help manage benign neck crepitus. Maintaining a healthy and mobile neck is crucial for preventing concerning issues [1, 2, 5, 6].

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it's not. In most cases, the popping or cracking sound you hear is a harmless result of gas bubbles being released from the synovial fluid in your joints, similar to cracking your knuckles. It is only concerning if it's accompanied by pain or other severe symptoms [1, 2, 5, 6].

The primary cause is often cavitation, which is the formation and release of gas bubbles—like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide—within the lubricating fluid of your neck's facet joints. This happens when the pressure in the joint changes during movement [1, 2, 4].

Yes. Poor posture, especially spending long periods looking down at a phone or computer screen (often called "tech neck"), can cause muscle imbalances and tension. This tension can cause tendons and ligaments to rub against bone, creating a clicking or popping sound [1, 2].

No, there is no scientific evidence to support the myth that intentionally cracking your neck or other joints causes arthritis. The sound is simply the release of gas bubbles and is not harmful [1, 2, 4].

You should see a doctor if your neck noises are accompanied by symptoms such as persistent pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, numbness, tingling, weakness in your limbs, or dizziness. These can be signs of an underlying medical issue [1, 2, 5, 6].

For benign neck crepitus, you can try improving your posture, performing gentle neck stretches, and using heat or ice therapy to help with muscle tension and stiffness. A supportive pillow for sleep can also make a difference [1, 2, 5].

Yes. A physical therapist can help identify any posture or muscular issues contributing to your neck noises. They can provide a tailored program of exercises to strengthen your neck muscles, improve flexibility, and increase stability [1].