Neck cracking in teen, advice+worried re possible long term disc probs

DS 14 started what I'd call almost OCD-level neck cracking while on his 1st month of treatment (30 days of doxy). It has continued since then. He is now pulsing abx, etc. Today he complained that one spot is now hurting (probably from all the constant bending/cracking he's doing nonstop). I'm concerned he's going to wear the discs down. Is there any thing we can do to help this symptom? I saw Traveler used DMSO mixed with arnica but I'm not sure about using that on a teen. I also am hesitant to send him to a chiropractor but do have one we can try. He's active and not really going to sit around with ice on his neck especially since he's always either feverish or in the 97 degree range! Thanks for any suggestions. This board is such a help!

I went to a chiro when my neck was crackling like crazy and I only let him use an Activator on me. I do not like it when they use their body strength to crack you. Personal opinion here. The Activator is a spring loaded little clicker that is extremely gentle in adjusting you.

Bottom line - very temporary relief and it may have been from the ice or the heat he also used.

I got relief from continued lyme treatment. But as I remember, it did take awhile.

I have been able to "crack" my neck for years (like more than a decade). I did lots of chiropractic but found that the effect rarely lasted beyond walking to my car in the parking lot.

I recently had an MRI and multiple x-rays (the pain doc wanted to be thorough) which did not show any damage to the discs other than normal age related deterioration. None of it was in my neck.

My son also cracks his neck and his finger joints. I really don't think you need to worry too much about it. It also seems to be OCD-like. He really doesn't seem aware he's doing it. I know for me it is just a habit I got into to try and relieve tight muscles in my neck.

Kim