Something in my neck is popping out of place

re original post.

I don't know what that is.

But, I do know the neck is a very very very vulnerable area and problems there can be quite dangerous.

So, I would definitely advise seeing a doctor and finding out what is going on.

I would not stop until I determined what was going on.

Maybe it is some minor thing with some muscles or a tendon.

But the very serious things need to be ruled out.

sorry about the problems.

take care.

Hi Friends, here to join the party. I’ve had this happening for 10+ years. Unfortunately can’t provide any diagnosis help as to why it’s happening to us but I’m certain it is the hyoid bone dislocating from the ligaments that support it. It is the only bone in the body not directly connected to another bone, so it’s basically floating in your throat. It’s a U shape and I believe the one edge somehow slips around a ligament and gets snagged when the swallowing muscles flex, giving the severe stabbing pain.

I have found that I can usually feel it starting to shift before it actually comes out and can easily reset it just by lightly pushing it back into the middle. If you can begin to recognize the early feelings you may be able mostly eliminate the total dislocations. I haven’t had one happen in over a year but I reset the bone multiple times a day.

For when in it does happen I’ve found that blowing my nose aggressively fixes it every time. I’m guessing the pressure inflates my throat and the vibrations shake the bone back into place. Would be interesting to hear if this works for any of you.

Hi Everyone! I have the ANSWER!!!! First, go to a cervical spinal specialist, so they can refer you to a Physical Therapist who focuses on TMJ and the cervical neck area. Please read on. I have been trying to find the answer for over 20 years! It's a horrific muscle spasm in the Longs Colli... Basically, a Charlie Horse in your throat.

I've had this issue since I was a teenager, only on the left side of my throat. I'm in my forties now, and I could always "pop" it back into place, but I lived in fear it would happen again; well, it did on May 27, 2024. I stood up to stretch my arms over me head, and BAM! The pain was a level 10. I couldn't get it to pop back into place for 15 minutes. Fast forward to the ER. It hurt too much to talk, so I typed my answers on my phone. Swallowing was horrendous. It felt like a butcher knife in my throat. After 5 hours of constant pain, getting a shot of Tramadol and getting a CT scan with and without contrast, I was released from the pain. It took 2 hours for the Tramadol to kick in. I was given another shot of steroids, and my diagnosis? A sore throat! They gave me a prescription for more steroids.

I went to an ENT 2 days later. She said since I could STILL swallow and talk, it was not my throat. I was fine, and I should make an appointment with a cervical spinal specialist/surgeon. It took weeks to get in... X-Rays showed nothing. He gave me a referral for a Physical Therapist. Luckily, I worked part-time with an amazing PT whose focus was on the head and neck. The problem was a muscle spasm in the Longs Colli. Yes, PT hurts, especially the dry needling, but it helps!!!
I hope and pray all of you know that you are NOT crazy, and that, yes, a muscle spasm in your throat can be fixed through physical therapy. Please share with anyone who has this crazy issue! My PT has been in the business for 30 years, and she's never experienced this with any patient.
Good luck, Everyone! You're going to be okay.

I pushed my thumb up under my chin and then toward the side that hurt. Hope you found relief!

I have this exact thing happening to me, it happens more when I'm anxious, as my muscles are effected the most with stress. It literally feels like something pops out of place, like something is jammed in the way, stopping me from swallowing, it's very stressful and painful until popped back into place. If I yawn and swallow or Turn my head and yawn it tends to happen more. I also have a dull ache in the same place as if it's about to happen, which causes anxiety. My ENT doc wasn't that bothered, but did say I have a lot of grinding and crunching in my cartlidge, which could be like calcification or arthritis! Causing some kind of dislocation. I wish he would take me seriously, as he's never heard of my problem. I'm on a list to see a neck surgeon.

I have the same problem that everyone has described, ever since I was a teenager (I'm 71 years old now). My current Dr has never encountered this condition and he's almost as old as I am. When I was young and it would go out of joint, if I turned my quickly to one side it would stop my head from turning and send an undescribable lightning pain through my head and neck. Nowadays, I know better than to move my head back and forth. I press on the left side of my throat just to the right of where I would feel my pulse and about an inch down from the top of my adams apple. I can feel a 'rod' and I gently push it towards my throat and I can feel it pop into place. I test for success by swallowing gently to see if I can.
Why haven't we heard from any doctors here who know what is going on, maybe a doctor or two has had this problem, too and can elaborate??

I have had the hardest time explaining this exact thing happening to me. I have TMJ and I am also a stomach sleeper.

I have this issue as well. So happy to hear I'm not the only one. I also have a similar sensation in my lower right abdomen when I bending over quickly. It's weird to me to read what the issue iny neck could be because it seems like it wouldn't be related to the other issue in my abdomen. I have this problem when I am swallowing or turn my neck too quickly or sit up from a laying down position. I had terrible posture which in turn means neck and shoulder pain on an almost constant basis. But I also have TMJ and one other person even mentioned being a stomach sleeper which I am.

I agree that mine also doesn't feel as painful as others describe. It's uncomfortable for sure, and the feeling last a little even after I get it back. I don't know if mine isn't as severe as others or it's just that I have a high pain tolerance which comes from years of back pain. But reading these are interesting for sure.

Laying on my right side and turning left and swallowing. This is the exact thing that I am doing when it happens to me. So weird.