Question
I've noticed my neck pops quietly, or grinds everytime i turn it to the left. there is no pain related, but is this normal?  The left side of my jaw pops as well when i open it wide. It sounds like it's coming from the back of my neck, but i may be wrong. Also, can you give me a few tips on how to stretch properly, and a few good stretches to do in the morning?

Answer
Hi Amira,

If your neck pops it usually means you have some tight muscles compressing the joints.  If it just kind of "crackles" a bit, that still may be from some tight muscles, but it also may be what is called "benign crepitus" which sometimes doesn't go away, but isnt' too much to worry about.

If your jaw pops, again it's most likely from tight muscles compressing the jaw joint (tmj).  Sometimes even after releasing the muscles the jaw still pops a bit because the little disc in the joint has changed shape from being compressed for so long.

Sooooo, the way to find out what's going on with your joints is to release them and see what improves.  My completely free website,
Do-It-Yourself-Joint-Pain-Relief ,
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/
where I have videos for every single joint in the body will show you what to do.

I'd recommend you go to the main Neck Pain Relief page,
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/neck-pain-relief.html
and follow along with the videos.

And then go to the main Jaw Pain Relief page,
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/jaw-joint-pain.html
and follow along with the videos.

Follow along with the videos and you'll find out what symptoms are caused by "tight muscles" and what is "benign crepitus."

For a morning stretch routine I would just go to YouTube.com and search "beginner yoga series" and pick one you like.  There will be many to choose from.

I do hope this proves helpful.

Best,

Gary Crowley