Expert: Lawrence Gold - 3/24/2007

Question
Today while shopping I suddenly noticed a clicking sound and slight grinding feeling at the base of my skull with head rotation.  It doesn't hurt at all and I have no numbess/tingling associated with it.  I did go out last night and had a few beers.  Today my head doesn't feel quite right, but I am thinking its from the hangover and not the clicking.  Do you think that this is something serious or just misalignment of the vertebrae or tightness of muscles.  I am not sore at all.  

Answer
Hello, Kelly,

Clicking and a grinding feeling in the neck indicate moderately tight neck muscles causing some grinding between vertebrae.

This is something best resolved early.  If it doesn't self-resolve, there is a possibility down the line of long-term neck problems.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

To resolve the problem involves training your control of your neck and head movements so the muscles relax to the normal range of tension.  The process is called somatic education.

list of practitioners:  somatics.com/practitioners.htm

There are also self-help programs:  somatics.com/page7.htm

with regard,
Lawrence Gold