Is cracking your fingers truly bad for you?

Question

I'm not going to choose any answer as a best answer unless it cites a crediable source that I can easly check my self. Wikipedia and Answers.com (which uses wikipedia as a source) are not crediable sources.

I'm mostly wondering about the story that it can lead to arthritus. I'm guessing it doesn't because when every someone goes to a chiropracter they are always cracking bones and I doubt they would do it to you if it was bad for you. Gaban24 seem's to have answered my question, now I'm just wondering if anyone else agrees with him (If you do just give him a thumb up).

Answer 1

http://www.providence.org/Oregon/Health_Resource_Centers/Arthritis/AskAnExpert_Arthritis_knuckles.htm

http://www.spinegroup.com/Back%20Issues/Knuckle.html

Personally I don't think it leads to arthritis. But there are other effects which the two links above explain. :)

Answer 2

I crack my knuckles, toes, wrists, ankles, elbows, knees, neck and my back. I haven't felt any pain from it. I honestly don't think it's bad for you. I heard somewhere that it actually helps to relieve pressure, but I can't remember where i heard it from. I was reading some articles on WEBMD.COM, in the search engine type knuckle cracking. You will be able to decide for yourself.

Hope this helps.

I like this link the best:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_cracking_your_knuckles_really_give_you_arthritis

Answer 3

I have no sources to quote, but I have a chiropractor for a grandmother. she told me once upon a time that cracking your knucles is bad for your. Personally, I've been cracking them since I can remember and I have no troubles. Come see me in fifteen years! *crack*

Answer 4

I think its just an old wives tale because some people cringe at hearing one crack their kunckles. Ive been doing it for ages and my fingers are normal.

Answer 5

It's unlikely. Joint cracking is usually painless, and so long as it does not cause pain, most doctors agree that you are unlikely to be doing any harm. There are some conditions that can cause a joint cracking that need to be addressed, but these tend to cause symptoms of pain.

Answer 6

cracking your fingers isn't horrible but it will cause swollen knuckles and possible arthritis when your older reason i know is my doctor informed me not to do that when i cracked my knuckles at a visit

Answer 7

I heard it leads to arthritis

Answer 8

Yes, that's why I need a caregiver to type my answers now.