Is it bad to crack your fingers/neck/back???

Question

If so..why?

Answer 1

Cracking Down on Knuckles

Knuckle Cracking
You've all heard the story that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis. Maybe your mom can't stand that "popping" noise and that's why she tells you knuckle cracking will damage your finger joints. Kidzworld did some digging around to find out what makes that "popping" noise and if it causes arthritis. Here's what we found out.

The Real Deal on Cracking Your Kuckles
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.

Does Knuckle Cracking Lead to Arthritis?
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.

Answer 2

I think that it is a urban myth that cracking joints will cause arthritus.

I'm nearly 50 and have been popping my back, neck, ankles and hips all my life. I don't force anything but when I stretch my muscles and the muscles relax, it seems I adjust myself by just moving/walking or bending over. It feels wonderful and I feel energized by it. I don't force my joints to pop...I just bend my neck, move my legs, twist at the waist or touch my toes and I pop like its the forth of July and it feels wonderful.

I'm much more flexible than most people my age, I have no arthritus and I'm an easy adjust at the chiropractors office. I'm as limber as a 14 year old and very healthy.

Don't ever force anything though. Just relax and move and if something pops it should feel very good...like a good yawn. If it hurts when it pops, then that's not good.

Answer 3

I'm not so sure, but I don't think's it's good because my little brother recently hurt his neck. My mom thinks it's from him cracking his neck too much.

Answer 4

I asked my doctor, and he said it was simply releasing air that builds up in the pockets in your joints. He said there was no harm in it at all, and that if it made my fingers or back feel better, there was no reason to stop!

If there WAS a problem with it, I imagine chiropractors would not be as popular as they are.

Answer 5

Cracking them simply gives you a higher chance of getting arthritis, from what I've heard.

Answer 6

My mother used to fuss at me for cracking my knuckles! She kept telling me I was going to make them bigger! I guess I would have to say she was right.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Although there is an 'old wives tale' that it will lead to arthritis,
this is only a myth.
You can look it up on Snopes.com

Answer 8

no becuase when u crack them it just releases air and it will not give u arthritis.(i asked a doctoer once)

Answer 9

u will crack them til they will not crack anymore.
I dont think it will hurt, except i would not fool with neck

Answer 10

Yes because when you become older in age you will get rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis period.