Why Do My Shoulders Crack, Snap, and Pop? is This Bad?

If you’re one of the many who gets clicking, popping, and cracking sounds as you raise your arm over your head then you’re going to want to read this blog. When this happens you may ask yourself, is this bad for my shoulder? Should I stop doing the movements that cause these noises?

To answer these question, you first have to figure out why it is happening.

Shoulders snap, crackling and popping courtesy of Vitality Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre (Read the caption)

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Causes of shoulder cracking when moving include:

Tendon movement

Your shoulder is a very complex joint which is surrounded by numerous tendons of muscles that work to move it. These include your rotator cuff and biceps tendons. One of the the most common causes of loud shoulders is when your tendon moves or flicks across the bony structures of your shoulder. This sometimes happens when there is absolutely nothing wrong with your shoulder. If there is no pain with the clicking then there is nothing to worry about.

Gas bubbles

Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint, that can be visualized as a golfball sitting on a tee. Within this joint, gas substances like nitrogen and carbon dioxide can form bubbles. At times these bubbles pop when you move your shoulders. This is a very similar process to what happens when you crack your knuckles.

Repetitive stress

Completing repeated overhead motions in your occupation or recreational activities can contribute to a rotator cuff irritation. A common feature of rotator cuff pain is painful clicking with movement. This occurs because your body changes the way it moves when the shoulder when you is is painful. These minor changes can lead to clicks. When you rehab your rotator cuff injury with a physiotherapist or chiropractor, they will help you eliminate these painful clicks.

Arthritis

The ends of the bones that make up your shoulder are coated with cartilage that works to protect and lubricate the joint. Over time as we age, the cartilage can start to wear away. This wearing away occurs at different rates for different parts of the cartilage of the shoulder. This can create a pressure gradient within the joint which can cause what is known as joint crepitus. It is a major sign of arthritis and produces a grating sound when you move you shoulder.

Labral tears:

Your labrum is a piece of tissue that helps to hold the ball of your shoulder joint in place. If a tear develops in the labrum it can cause deep clunking noises in the shoulder, especially with overhead motions. You may also experience feelings of instability in the shoulder when throwing or raising your shoulder overhead.

Shoulder Exercise courtesy of Market Mall Physiotherapy (Read the caption)

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How to treat cracking shoulders

If non-painful noises are coming from your shoulder, then there is no need for treatment. However, if they are painful a Physiotherapist can create a customized treatment plan that helps address the source of the pain.

A Physio can do the following to help:

Help improve your posture habits
Strengthen the muscles in and around your shoulders.
Teach you stretching exercises to increase mobility.
Help you modify activities based on your condition to reduce pain.

If you’re concerned about the sounds in your shoulder, book an appointment on this page with a Physiotherapist near you. Just click below to find a clinic near you.

Intermediate Shoulder Mobility courtesy of Active Recovery Physiotherapy & Hand Clinic

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Book Your BACK NECK SHOULDER KNEE ELBOW HIP WRIST FOOT Pain Consult

This appointment is your opportunity to tell us what hurts and discover whether physiotherapy or chiropractic care is a good fit for you! During this session, you will talk with a physiotherapist or chiropractor on a phone call (or online) and create the right care plan specifically for your pain. There is no obligation on this session is to find out whether physiotherapy or chiropractic care can help you getting back to doing the things you love in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cracking shoulder bad?

Most of the time it’s normal and not harmful. If it hurts then you should see a doctor or Physiotherapist to see what’s going on.

Can a Chiropractor help with shoulder popping?

Yes, a chiropractor can determine the source of the painful popping and help reduce your pain.

How do I get rid of shoulder crepitus?

Physiotherapy can help regain more use of your shoulder. Ice can also help ease inflammation and initiate the healing process.

About Taylor Sipos

Taylor is a physiotherapist at The Orthopaedic Therapy Clinic located in Toronto, Ontario. He treats patients with various musculoskeletal conditions using patient education, exercise therapy, manual therapy and acupuncture. His treatment philosophy involves giving his patient’s the means to self-manage their injuries. He does this through reassurance, education and health promotion. Taylor uses the same principles as a patient educator at Pain Hero. He aims to provide you with high-quality, easy to understand information to teach you about your condition and how to improve it.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information presented in this blog post is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, treatment or a diagnosis, consult with a medical professional such as one suggested on this website. The Clinic Accelerator Inc. and the author of this page are not liable for the associated risks of using or acting upon the information contained in this article.

Why Do My Shoulders Crack, Snap, and Pop? is This Bad?