It's fairly common and usually harmless to crack your knuckles or other joints sometimes. And, in contrast to popular belief, it doesn't lead to arthritis.
You may feel comfort and get more range of motion in a joint by cracking it. According to a study, scientific views on the causes and mechanisms of joint cracking are still up for debate, but cutting-edge imaging equipment has helped shed light on the procedure.
As you become older and some of your cartilage starts to wear away, joint cracking could become more obvious. Consult your doctor to determine if there is an underlying medical condition when cracking is accompanied by pain, swelling, or occurs after an injury.
Why do joints crack?
Different factors might contribute to joint cracking. It is typical and typically not a sign of a problem with the health of the bones. Numerous studies have attempted to pinpoint the origin of the cracking or popping sound, but to no avail.
Several organic reasons for joint cracking include:
- Noises caused by muscle movement. Joint noises may be generated while the muscle stretches. For instance, a tendon may jerk in and out of position while you stretch, work out, dance, or move repeatedly at work.
- Loss of cartilage. Aging can cause joint surfaces to become rough, which can cause movement-related joint noise.
- Arthritis. Additionally, this may result in joint noise and cartilage degradation.
Is it bad if your joints crack?
It's not "wrong" to crack your knuckles or other joints, but if you do it repeatedly, it could disturb those around you. Rarely, you could hurt yourself by pinching a nerve or putting undue strain on a muscle if you're cracking a joint too forcefully, as in your back.
When a bone is cracked, whether you do it yourself or a chiropractor does it, a research found that the technique can physically relieve pressure.
Another study has dispelled the widespread misconception that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis in your hands. Studies show that cracking your knuckles does not damage cartilage and is not likely to cause osteoarthritis.
How to prevent joint cracking:
- Mindfulness - A first step in stopping a habit of cracking your knuckles (or another joint) is to practice mindfulness. Keep a record of the times and potential causes of your back, neck, and knuckle cracking.
- More movement - Increased movement might be the easiest fix. If you spend a lot of time in one position, such as sitting or standing, you risk becoming stiff and needing to crack your joints. Move around frequently during breaks. If you work at a desk all day, try to stand up at least once every half-hour.
- Wear comfortable footwear such as DrLuigi medical footwear. If your shoes are uncomfortable, they will more often think of pain in your feet.
- Stress reduction Try alternative soothing techniques, such deep breathing, meditation, using a stress ball or fidget toy, if you suspect that your joint cracking is related to stress alleviation.
- Exercise. Try to boost your weekly exercise time to 150 minutes. Select pursuits appropriate to your age and way of life. You can incorporate any physical activity into your fitness regimen, including housework, gardening, and quick walks.