1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

What causes Clicking or Popping in Throat when Swallowing?

Posted by mushroom @mushroom, Oct 2, 2020

I was doing some neck massages a few days ago and then afterwards whenever I swallow, I feel a clicking/popping sensation and sound when my larynx moves up upon swallow. There is no pain at the moment but the popping sensation in my throat gives me anxiety whenever I swallow. Is this the result of the cartilage rubbing on each other? Is it from the hyoid bone rubbing the thyroid cartilage? Are there exercises that can fix this?

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aaronsmall31 | @aaronsmall31 | Jun 24, 2021
In reply to @lucy1234 "Same with me , my ENT told me that it’s the hyoid bone rubbing on the..." + (show)
@lucy1234

Same with me , my ENT told me that it’s the hyoid bone rubbing on the thyroid cartlidge, he said he can do surgery but there is 2% chance things can go wrong like not being able to swallow food or not being able to talk, that scared me but he did say those chances are very slim but what if things went south? So I opted out from the surgery and just dealing with it sadly.

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Mine has been doing that for six months now. Has anyone had successful surgery to alleviate this?

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1 reply
aaronsmall31 | @aaronsmall31 | Jun 24, 2021

It is very annoying. Do any stretches or exercises help?

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lucy1234 | @lucy1234 | Jun 24, 2021
In reply to @aaronsmall31 "Mine has been doing that for six months now. Has anyone had successful surgery to alleviate..." + (show)
@aaronsmall31

Mine has been doing that for six months now. Has anyone had successful surgery to alleviate this?

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I’ve had mine for nearly 2 years it sucks but afraid getting the surgery

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aaronsmall31 | @aaronsmall31 | Jun 24, 2021

Is it always the same or does it feel like something gets hung in your throat sometimes when swallowing?

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aaronsmall31 | @aaronsmall31 | Jun 24, 2021

Did they say what caused it?

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jun 24, 2021
In reply to @a06742sl "I have the exact same thing. Supposedly I am trying physical therapy. I hope that works...." + (show)
@a06742sl

I have the exact same thing. Supposedly I am trying physical therapy. I hope that works. My ENT knows exactly where it is at. He felt it and made it click and pop. I was hoping therapy would work.

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@a06742sl @rockin888 @lucy123 @aaronsmall31 I would recommend to all of you to look into a physical therapist who does myofascial release because when alignment can be corrected, surgery may be able to be avoided. Sometimes I have had issues with my hyoid and I have neck tightness because of surgical fascial scar tissue from an anterior cervical spine surgery and from thoracic outlet syndrome that causes one side of my neck to be tighter. My physical therapist uses MFR to realign it. When fascia gets too tight it holds muscles and tissues too tight which pulls it out of alignment and the hyoid sits across the front of the throat and doesn't connect to other bones.

You may want to look at our discussion on MFR and there is a provider search on the MFR website. What is different about MFR is it is a gentle stretch like you are kneading bread dough which puts a shearing force on the fascia and you just wait until the fascia releases. When it does this, it changes from a semi solid to a liquid and reorganizes itself. You might feel a slight tingle when this happens if you are aware of subtle changes in your body. MFR therapy can help a lot of physical issues. Here is our discussion. Look at the first pages for lots of links to information.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header
Provider search http://www.mfrtherapists.com/

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tyty21 | @tyty21 | Jul 4, 2021

I have the same problem just recently. May I know what is the solution or ways to relieve it? The ENT specialist which I went to said it was just inflammation, but the problem still persists, it is making my life difficult. Please help me out if anyone out there found a diagnosis or solution. Thanks very much and really appreciate it

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tyty21 | @tyty21 | Jul 10, 2021
In reply to @jramirez77 "Ok oct 31 2020 I choked in a restaurant. I was dying.a big man performed the..." + (show)
@jramirez77

Ok oct 31 2020 I choked in a restaurant. I was dying.a big man performed the Heimlich on me and saved my life in front of my children. Im forever greatful.against everyone's advice i didn't follow up at e.r. I was sore but figured I'd be fine.well a few weeks later my throat started clicking when I swallowed and mind you after the choking episode it happened twice more a few days later. so I was thinking all the anxiety and stress caused me to chew chew chew drink swallow and swallow many times.i went to hospital as clicking has driven me nuts.they did an xray all normal. I have been treated like I'm crazy and sent back and fourth to drs.finally I have endoscopy on the 19th.now I have sore throat.throat clearing ear and jaw pain.and the wonderful clicking.i do have tmj and gerd.im so terrified its a tumor and even though I have never smoked drank or done drugs I know cancer is still possible.my primary care said in all his years hes never heard of this.if.i gently push in on the right side of my neck/throat its cracked and feels like an accordian.like.crunchy springy?this is the strangest thing I've ever had.i need dr. House. Please pray for me.i am raising my niece and nephew after my sisters death.they need me.

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Hi I also have the same problem, may I know what is the solution you found or any treatment to relieve it?

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maxthomas11 | @maxthomas11 | Jul 12, 2021

Hi I’m fourteen and I’ve had this for a while. I’ll get a few weeks of it and then it will randomly go away. It becomes painful and extremely annoying. It happens every couple of months and I’ve googled it a lot but I haven’t ever found a definitive answer. Can anyone help me find out what this is?

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 12, 2021
In reply to @maxthomas11 "Hi I’m fourteen and I’ve had this for a while. I’ll get a few weeks of..." + (show)
@maxthomas11

Hi I’m fourteen and I’ve had this for a while. I’ll get a few weeks of it and then it will randomly go away. It becomes painful and extremely annoying. It happens every couple of months and I’ve googled it a lot but I haven’t ever found a definitive answer. Can anyone help me find out what this is?

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Hi Max, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion called "Clicking/Popping Throat when Swallowing" that @mushroom started last year. I encourage you to read through the entire discussion thread to see helpful responses from fellow members like @jenniferhunter @johnbishop @nrd1 @tyty21 @a06742sl @lucy1234 and others.

Max, have you talked to your doctor about this or been to see an ENT specialist? Have you told your parents?

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