Cracking knuckles
Knuckle Cracking
Have you ever had the urge to crack your knuckles? This “bad” habit has long been thought of as a contributor to joint trouble, particularly arthritis. Even though the mechanisms behind it aren't perfectly clear, research suggests habitual knuckle cracking is not a significant risk factor for arthritis, though it may have several other negative side effects .
Though the exact mechanisms behind knuckle cracking are still debated, that popping sound is likely not from bone-on-bone contact. To keep them working smoothly, most joints are surrounded by a membrane filled with lubricating fluid and gases. When a joint is “cracked” an event called articular release occurs where the gases are thought to escape the membrane, causing the characteristic “pop!” sound associated with knuckle cracking . The same workings lie behind the “cracking” associated with fingers, wrists, ankles, and necks .
Despite joint cracking being normal and fairly common throughout the body, knuckle cracking in particular has long been blamed as a contributor to painful arthritis. However research suggests habitual knuckle cracking isn't forceful enough to cause the wear and tear associated with arthritis . In fact, knuckle cracking might actually cause temporary relief in joint pain and reduce symptoms of arthritis, hence the popularity of such practices among chiropractors .
While knuckle cracking will probably not cause an inadvertent display of gang signs, don’t get too carried away with that snap, crackle, and pop. Though it's not tied to arthritis, research has linked habitual knuckle cracking with hand swelling and reduced grip strength, suggesting the repeated act might gradually damage soft tissue in the hand . In some cases, the desire to crack could be an attempt to ease ligament stress that is already present, and in some studies habitual knuckle cracking was also associated with other potentially damaging activities like repeated manual labor .
With more
Have you ever had the urge to crack your knuckles? This “bad” habit has long been thought of as a contributor to joint trouble, particularly arthritis. Even though the mechanisms behind it aren't perfectly clear, research suggests habitual knuckle cracking is not a significant risk factor for arthritis, though it may have several other negative side effects .
Though the exact mechanisms behind knuckle cracking are still debated, that popping sound is likely not from bone-on-bone contact. To keep them working smoothly, most joints are surrounded by a membrane filled with lubricating fluid and gases. When a joint is “cracked” an event called articular release occurs where the gases are thought to escape the membrane, causing the characteristic “pop!” sound associated with knuckle cracking . The same workings lie behind the “cracking” associated with fingers, wrists, ankles, and necks .
Despite joint cracking being normal and fairly common throughout the body, knuckle cracking in particular has long been blamed as a contributor to painful arthritis. However research suggests habitual knuckle cracking isn't forceful enough to cause the wear and tear associated with arthritis . In fact, knuckle cracking might actually cause temporary relief in joint pain and reduce symptoms of arthritis, hence the popularity of such practices among chiropractors .
While knuckle cracking will probably not cause an inadvertent display of gang signs, don’t get too carried away with that snap, crackle, and pop. Though it's not tied to arthritis, research has linked habitual knuckle cracking with hand swelling and reduced grip strength, suggesting the repeated act might gradually damage soft tissue in the hand . In some cases, the desire to crack could be an attempt to ease ligament stress that is already present, and in some studies habitual knuckle cracking was also associated with other potentially damaging activities like repeated manual labor .
With more