<s>[INST] Hello, yes, I have a popping sound in the back of the left side of my neck. Came on without any traumatic event. it s only when I turn my head to the left. I also notice it when I work out doing weights now my left back side of the neck tightens up and then it will pop. So there is a bit of my I can feel in the muscles. Nothing serious but it is a nuisance. What is the issue here? Is there non intrusive surgery? Will stretching help...as I am wondering if this is from the muscles causing the tightness which is causing the popping? thanks so much. [/INST] Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.  I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. It seems your muscles of your back side of neck has gone into shortening. This may occur due to wrong posture in your day to  day life and sleeping in wrong position. Due to shortening of muscles bones have to adjust there alignment within the joint to receive the muscle of tightness and maintain the optimal length of muscles. Apply hot pack twice daily and do gentle neck movements and neck isometrics exercises. Do care about your neck posture and sleep straight on  butterfly pillow. And do gentle stretching exercises for neck and shoulder muscles it will help you. Follow it for one week and get back to us for neck and shoulder exercises regime once you stops feeling the sound as it might also be the initial stages of cervical spondylitis and following exercise regime and ergonomic regime will keep things under check.Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.Regards, Dr. Harsh Swarup </s>