Question
QUESTION: I moved my neck by flexing it and heard a pop.now when i move my neck to left and right and back i hear a grinding noise.i think the grinding is coming from the vertebrate in the back of my neck.It sounds like grinding of little pieces of glass griding.WHY ?DO i need to be concern.What do i do and who do i see to get this corrected.Do i see Orthopaedic or Chiropractic.Please help


Hanna Somatic Educatio   ANSWER: Hi, John,

My clients with neck trouble are typically very contracted in the neck muscles.  In their process they go through three stages:

1) Very contracted:  Little movement, no noises, pain (and other symptoms).
2) More free:  more movement, "sand and gravel" noises, pain reduced or gone, other symptoms abated.
3) Very free:  more movement still, no more noises, no more pain or symptoms.

You sound like stage 2.

Neither orthopedics nor chiropractic directly address muscular contractions.

May I direct you to my relevant write-ups at

http://somatics.com/whiplash.htm
and
http://somatics.com/gold.htm

Those will answer the rest of your questions.

regard,
Lawrence Gold

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: you did not address any of my questions at all.I asked you several question about my neck grinding and you refer me to a web site talking about whiplash.I never mention i had a whiplash.can you take the time to answer my questions I'm asking you.Such as what happen when my neck popped and the grinding that followed.Something to be concerned with.Who should i see for this

Answer
John,

I can hear that you're frustrated.

However, the answer is lengthy and already exists in the write-ups to which I directed you.  In brief, tight neck muscles cause vertebrae to rub against each other; that's the grinding sensation.

The whiplash article is relevant, even if you don't remember having a whiplash injury.  

You asked if you should see a chiropractor or orthopedic doctor.  My answer is, "neither", and I explain in the write-ups.

Let me hear from you if you have remaining questions after reading the items I have suggested.

regard,
Lawrence Gold