A video has gone viral on social media showing a young man who suffered a stroke when a hairdresser performed a ‘neck-cracking’ procedure on him after a haircut.

The incident, however, was proved to have been made for spreading awareness and does not show an actual incident.

However, the video generated debates about the necessity and impact of ‘neck cracking’ in beauty parlours; the repercussions including the possibilities of stroke and long-term effects including pain and misalignment of joints.

What is neck-cracking?

Neck cracking, neck popping or cervical manipulation, is the process of rotating, twisting or applying pressure on the neck in a way that produces a cracking or popping sound.

The activity can help in temporarily improving joint mobility and flexibility making way for a greater motion around the neck. The increased mobility aids in relieving tension and stiffness in the neck muscles.

What happens during neck cracking?

The popping sound is produced when the joints in the neck are stretched or moved. A ‘cracking sound’ is generated when gas bubbles in the synovial fluid between joint spaces are released rapidly.

Similarly, when the facet joints stretch, fluids in the joint capsule are spread out. The fluid becomes gas resulting in the popping of joints. Neck cracking feels like releasing pressure from the neck area.

The reasons why people opt for neck cracking include limited movement due to tension or stiffness in the neck muscles, or an unconscious habit or reflex action to relieve neck discomfort.

Dangers of neck cracking

The ‘service’ of neck cracking is provided at many beauty parlours and spas after haircuts and head massages. People performing neck cracking without training can result in neck stiffness, pain and even stroke in rare cases.

Dr P Ramesh, neuro physician at Gemcare Poulomi Hospitals, Hyderabad, said, “The sudden cracking of the neck done in beauty parlours can damage the vertebral arteries, resulting in stroke known as beauty parlour stroke syndrome. This can happen in chiropractic practices too. People perform neck cracking knowingly or unknowingly about risks but this should not be permitted.”

The vertebral arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the brain and when the neck is twisted suddenly at force, the blood supply might be interrupted leading to a stroke.

Damage to joints and nerves

The sudden twisting of the neck can strain or stretch ligaments in the neck resulting in inflammation and pain, followed by damage to neck joints, muscles and nerves. When the joints are misaligned due to the hyperextension of the neck, the pressure on the disc and nerves can increase leading to further complications.

Symptoms of stroke

After the neck cracking procedure, people may suffer from neurological and stroke-related symptoms, in addition to symptoms indicating issues with the circulatory system.

Dr Ramesh said, “Initially people may suffer from neck pain and then develop giddiness. It may even take a day or two to recognise the stroke symptoms. The following day people may develop further difficulties. We advise the individuals to seek medical support if such symptoms persist.”

People with connective tissue disorders and the elderly are at higher risk of a stroke, due to the prolonged hyperextension of the neck.