Is popping your nuckles bad for you, or is that just an old wisetale? Does is make your fingers (or whatever you pop) fat and hurt? I CAN'T stop popping my joints! I pop all my fingers in two different spots, I pop my wrists, my elbows, my left knee, my toes, my ankles and my back. Wow, hearing that sounds really bad...yikes! Is it gonna end up hurting me...if so how do I stop? I do this at least 20 times a day!
2006-09-09 17:25:44 · 10 answers · asked by Scoot 4 in Health ➔ Other - Health
What's really happening when you "crack" your knuckles is that you are either pushing the joint back into or out of its normal position. Joints are the meeting points of two separate bones which are held together by connecting tissues and ligaments. A thick, clear lubricant (made mostly of carbon dioxide and some nitrogen) called synovial fluid is found between the bones. When you stretch or pull your finger to get that desired popping noise, you are causing the bones to pull apart. Pressure is reduced on the synovial fluid and bubbles form that quickly expand and then burst - which is why you get that noise.
Not everybody's joints crack. Some people have a larger separation between the bones and some people can't relax enough to allow the bones to separate. If you can crack and your mom tells you, you're going to get arthritis, she's just yanking your chain. There is no scientific evidence that cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis. However, it can't be good to repeatedly push a joint beyond its normal physical range. Besides that, it's annoying. Cracking your knuckles can cause a decrease in your grip but unless you're signing any multi-million dollar contracts as a pitcher, it's not worth giving up. But it's still annoying.
2006-09-09 17:34:27 · answer #1 · answered by Twisted Maggie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dunno if it's good or bad, but I do know that I got my thumb (that pops regularly AND has pain associated with it) checked out and the doc last week. He said that the popping is from the sliding of the muscle and bone--something or other (sorry I can't replicate what he said.. it's all medical jargon to me). Anyhow, he said that the popping was caused from the problem in my thumb, and that if take the right meds and get the right injection, it will stop.
So basically, the popping is not bad, just a result of something that could be bad.
2006-09-09 17:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is just releasing the nitrogen bubbles in your joints.
If you don't do it symmetrically you can cause joint laxity from the ligaments and tendons surronding the joints being stretched.
I pop mine all the time as well, but in moderation, and I try to stretch both sides evenly.
Try to cut down to less than 2 times a day, not 20 if at all possible.
2006-09-09 17:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by PreviouslyChap 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not bad for you at all. I read somewhere *sorry to say I can't remember where* that popping the joints may actually benefit a person in the long run. The study showed that people who had regularly popped their joints had a lower incidence of arthritis than people who had not.
2006-09-09 17:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by Lucy_Fir 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The phenomenon is similar to the sudden rush of hydraulic fluid through a mechanical arm, which produces a popping-sound. It's not necessarily bad, but it can be habit-forming. You may do it out of boredom. Examine that first... A habit is the most difficult thing to break...
2006-09-09 19:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to but I stopped. I don't have an answer, for I don't know what it does in the long run. Apparently these people say it's good for you, but somehow I believe stretching them is good for your joints and popping is not. It makes your fingers become disaligned and it darkens the area near your knuckles and cuticles.
2006-09-09 17:33:24 · answer #6 · answered by Answerer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ya better stop now! I started doing the same thing when I was a teen and now, my knuckles are big, and ache. Im on a bowling league, and they had to specially size the bowling ball cause my knuckles are so big. my wrist ache all the time. I have carpal tunel in my right wrist. The doctors told me that I have arthiritus in my knees, fingers, and my wrist from popping my joints. Take it from me.....you will regret it. Especially when its time to get married and need to get a weird ring! :(
2006-09-09 17:32:56 · answer #7 · answered by Tweetalette 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
im the same way not as much though. and oh dose it feel good to do it. sometimes i cant get comfortable when until i do. but ive heard its good for you sometimes. it lets fluids get into your joints where they need to be.
2006-09-09 17:33:55 · answer #8 · answered by redlove413bsup 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is just movement of fuild it is not good for you but it is not bad for u unless you do it every second
2006-09-09 17:42:33 · answer #9 · answered by itshard2bme0123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its proven to be good for you,
my grandmother will still argue with me though
2006-09-09 17:28:38 · answer #10 · answered by B pyro 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋