Is cracking or popping your knuckles/other bones healthy or unhelathy for you?

Question

Is it bad for you?
Does it have anything to do with arthritis?
What do you have to say?

Answer 1

It isn't supposed to give you arthritis if it's in like your fingers or toes, but it's not good to crack your neck.

Answer 2

Harmless if done occasionally, not habitually. The "crack" comes because of a change in the synovial fluid, the lubricant that bathes the joints. When finger bones are suddenly stretched apart, the space between the joints widens, and an air bubble forms in the synovial fluid. The bubble quickly bursts and makes a sharp sound.
There have been numerous studies over the years to see if there is a direct correlation between cracking ones knuckles and arthritis, and there really isn't any. Most people, if they live long enough, will develop some sort of arthritis in their joints, especially in their dominant hand. The bottom line: While cracking knuckles may not get you arthritis faster, you might injure those fingers in other ways (over-stretching ones ligaments and dislocated a finger). So it's best not done.

Answer 3

Yes it is bad. Cracking knuckles vertebrae ect causes air to get into the area Between each vertebra you have a area in layman terms like gel.. With the back you can actually move the vertebrae which in turn is called a herniation. Long term results will most likely cause arthritis. Try a chiropractor or even the new decompression if u feel the need to crack your back, neck ect... Hands (knuckles) is just a bad habit. When your older you will also notice your knuckles are bigger than usual.

Answer 4

Popping or cracking of your knuckles/other joints will NOT cause arthritis but it can cause symptoms that mimic arthritis. People that "pop" their knuckles or joints often usually do so because they feel that their joints are stiff and achy and once they pop them, they feel a certain amount of relief. However, I tell my patient's that if "popping" your joints A LOT/OFTEN is so good for you, then why do you have to need to pop it again after just a short amount of time (ex 1-2hours)? It's because your joints have ligaments between the joints that keep your bones relatively intact so that they don't move around all over. Popping of the joints too frequently loosens those ligaments so that just as easy as your joints pop "IN" because they are so loose, they pop "OUT" just as easy. Besides that, too much popping causes inflammation in your joints which is similar to the arthritis symptoms.

Answer 5

Well it made my knuckles huge! Other than that, I know it releases some pressure in the area and that's why it feels good to do it. I hope it doesnt have anything to do with arthritis.

Answer 6

no its has no damage. unless its a long term thing and you do it a lot. it cannot cause arthritis. (or so says my boyfriend who has arthritis.) the cracking sound that you hear is the bones popping.

Answer 7

It is not bad for you unless someone objects to the noise and hits you. It won't cause arthritis or swollen joints, either. Gas bubbles in the joint capsule fluid slowly come together to form one bigger bubble, which can stretch the joint capsule slightly and cause discomfort. You break the bubble by manipulating the joint and ease the discomfort, but it will come back.

Answer 8

Hey, um i have heard all different things about cracking your knuckles. if you do it like...all of the time, then you may get arthritis. but if you occasionally do it, you probly wont. i guess i would just say...try to stop!

Answer 9

Yes it is bad for you. It will eventually wear down the cartilage in your joints, which will lead to arthritis.

Answer 10

popping your knuckles releases carbon dioxide into the joints. its not real healthy and it will aggravate the arthritis.