Neck pain is often because of wear and tear on the shock-absorbing discs that sit between the vertebrae, which are bones in your neck. As you age, discs can get weak, bulge, or rupture.

They protect your spinal cord. A hangman's fracture is a break in the second vertebra of your neck, called the C2, or axis. This bone forms a ring around your spinal cord.

It’s almost unbelievable: both humans and giraffes have seven cervical vertebrae in their necks. These bones, stacked one on top of the other, form the backbone of the neck in nearly all mammals.

Sports medicine doctors explain why cracking your neck is risky and how doing it too often can impact your performance. ... After all, it’s the crunch of bones smashing against each other. Gross.

The bones in your neck are connected by small joints, called facet joints, that help you move your head, says Sandra Miller, P.T., physical therapist with Briotix.

If you have super-tight muscles, for example, they may rub on top of the joints and bones in your neck, says Laker. If the joints in your neck are extra flexible, say, ...

The bones in your neck are connected by small joints, called facet joints, that help you move your head, says Sandra Miller, P.T., physical therapist with Briotix.

Pain on the left side of the neck can be due to any number of causes, from muscle strains to a pinched nerve. Most aren’t serious. Learn about common and uncommon causes of left-side neck pain ...

While cracking your neck can provide quick relief, doing so won’t actually fix the underlying reason your neck hurts. As such, the pain or tension will recur, and you’ll likely repeatedly feel ...

There are benefits and risks to cracking your neck. Experts explain what you need to know about cracking your neck safely.