Cracking your knuckles, fingers, back, etc? ?

Question

I crack my knuckles, [by pulling them and pushing down on them] my finger joints [by I twist the ends of my fingers and it cracks the first joint in my finger.] my back [by twisting it] my toes, knees, wrist and neck.

I've herd soooo many different things about them [some say its bad, some say its okay]

Can it cause any problems with your bones or joints?

thnx<3

oh and i've been doing this for a long time

Answer 1

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! LOL.

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.

Answer 2

Some say it's an old wives tale. I know people who have cracked their knuckles for decades and they have no trouble with their joint, plus a few of them actually have LESS joint stiffness when they crack their knuckles.

Plus, there's the major point that Chiropractors make your back better by "cracking the joints", so the "old wives tale" seems to be the opposite of a medical practice that has been used for hundreds/thousands of years to help people.

HOWEVER.... most Chiropractors will probably tell you not to crack your knuckles. This never made sense to me (since they crack your joints) until it was pointed out that if I crack my knuckles in the wrong way, I can hurt them. In the same way, a Chiropractor could damage the joints if they don't crack the joints right (of course, they wouldn't crack them wrong, as that would be Mal Practice).

Answer 3

A major study in Sweden recently confirmed that popping fingers or other bones does not damage them. I've been a chiropractor for 10 years and I've only noticed people getting better from my treatment. It doesn't make your fingers get arthritis. Musicians pop their fingers more than anybody and they almost never get arthritis - tendonitis maybe from playing too much, but never arthritis.

Answer 4

I can pop almost every joint in my body (that I know of). And I've actually read studies that say cracking or popping the joints is good for them because it keeps them loose and in good health.

Answer 5

when you get older you will have BAD arthritis, and your knuckles will be swollen, it isnt just something people say I have actually seen it, you wont be able to wear a ring. I do it too and I got out of the habit before for like 5 years and i started it again GRRR. Anyway you just have to make yourself stop, and it will suck let me tell you, because it will bug the crap out of you and you might slip up some but it would be in your best interest to try and make yourself stop, i am trying!



EDIT: I am just talking about your knuckles, i dont know about the back, i do that too

Answer 6

it's not bad, the cracking sound you hear is called the synovial fluid; stringy fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints. it reduces the friction between the articular cartilage and other tissues in your joints. crakicng your knucles and your back will not harm you. listen to the asian man!

Answer 7

I've heard many things too. I heard on a tv show that people who pop their knuckles will not get arthritis.

Answer 8

you're probably going to develope arthritis when you get older
if you stop cracking you're knuckles now it wont be so bad
but you'll still probably get it

Answer 9

my bf finds it a relief to all his aches and pains when i crack his back for him

Answer 10

Ive heard that its bad, but I think that its psychological. Just hearing your own bones crack must be a little disenheartening to health freaks. Idk, i think its fine.