What is physically happening when I crack my bones? Only answer if you actually KNOW, please!?

Question

I just feels so good to do it, but people tell me I shouldn't. I have asked many people and get lots of different answers, so please only answer this if you're sure you have reliable sources.

Answer 1

Air is being displaced along cartilage. Your bones aren't actually cracking. However, loss of cartilage, due to tears, leads to swelling, joint ailments, etc.

Answer 2

When you crack your knuckles, you're essentially pushing the joint into or out of its normal position. A thick, clear lubricant called synovial fluid is found in the joints between your bones. When you crack your fingers, you cause the bones to pull apart, and the pressure on the synovial fluid is reduced. Bubbles form and quickly expand and then burst. Snap, crackle, pop go your knuckles!

A bubble forms in the joint in a process called "cavitation." Once you've cracked your knuckle, it takes about 25-30 minutes for the gas to dissolve into the joint fluid. During this time, you can't crack the knuckle again. But once the gas is dissolved, cavitation is once again possible, and you can start popping your knuckles to your hand's content.

Just my .02 cents.....
RAS

Answer 3

what's happening is you're breaking the synovial membrane and releasing synovial fluid from one side of a joint to another.

There is a new debate in the medical community as to the long term results of frequent knuckle cracking.

While it was largely agreed that cracking was harmful, and could lead to arthritis, new findings are starting to show that occasional cracking helps to release built up pressure in the joints, and may actually be beneficial.

Answer 4

I really do know this, because my chiropractor told me this, and he's in the business of cracking bones.

First of all, it lets the air out of the joints. It also moves the bones; sometimes they move out of place and are pressing down on nerves, blood vessels, etc.

The main thing it does is release endorphins--fluid between your joints. That's what makes it feel so good, it's like doing drugs.

It IS healthy, but if you want it done correctly and properly, you need to see a chiropractor on a regular basis.

Answer 5

I've been told that by rapidly changing the position of the two bones within the joint, it forces the synovial fluid to move between them making a popping sound. I've never understood why this would be a bad thing though.

Answer 6

Your joints have a little air pocket and that is what you hear popping. Supposedly, it is bad because it weakens the muscles that support the area. Eventually, you do it to relieve the tension created in the muscles because they tighten up to do their job, and then you crack whatever, and it loosens them up again.

Answer 7

You are releasing bubbles of gas from the joints. It is in no way harmful, though 90% of the people believe it is. Obviously, if it causes pain, you might be doing some damage, but if it pops and doesn't hurt, enjoy yourself.

Answer 8

I know, it feels so good cracking my knuckles too. My grandmother used to tell me they will give me fat, ugly knucles, but I think that was just an old wives tale!! I really think it has something to do with air getting in your joints, how, I have no clue!

Answer 9

well actually you are not cracking your bones, or you would be jello. You are cracking your joints, and it is tiny nitrogen bubbles that collect in the joint space that make a popping sound when sqeezed out of the joint space

Answer 10

It's liquid in the joints that, when "cracked" the pressure drops, making the cracking noise.

All about it, at the link below.