Cracking your knuckles. - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

Pink00 · 05-31-2004, 10:03 PM

Is it really that bad to crack your knuckles all the time or is it just a myth that it causes arthritis? Thanks!

quincy · 06-01-2004, 12:35 PM

Hi,

I've heard that myth all my life.....but, there may be some validity to it. If you are putting constant wear on your joints by cracking them, it could cause maybe osteoarthritis? I'm just throwing that one on the table, so to say....but I don't know that for sure. It could be that it's already in your system to develop it, and it's a coincidence? Could it be that you are having a repetative strain injury?

You may want to ask yourself why you are cracking your knuckles all the time? Are you doing it to relieve stress (mentally) or are you doing it out of habit? Are you doing it because there's pressure and pain in that area?

I crack my knuckles on occasion when stressed, but when I was younger I did it all the time. I also have repetative strain injury and I do get relief from cracking (pulling) the offending fingers or thumbs.

REally? I don't think it can cause arthritis....but, it would be good to know what others think.

quincy

littleone314 · 06-03-2004, 02:29 PM

This is a REALLY good question. I myself have thought about posting the same question but just never got around to it.

Anyways, I crack quite a few bones in my body, my back, my knuckles, ankles, and toes. (Ok..the toes thing might seem a little weird to you lol) To me, the cracking feels good. Like, I released some kind of pressure? I have always wondered if I was doing harm to my bones.

scottskitty · 06-03-2004, 02:44 PM

i read in a magazine a while back that cracking your knuckles does not cause any damage. it just relieves the air from your joints.

Pink00 · 06-04-2004, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleone314

This is a REALLY good question. I myself have thought about posting the same question but just never got around to it.

Anyways, I crack quite a few bones in my body, my back, my knuckles, ankles, and toes. (Ok..the toes thing might seem a little weird to you lol) To me, the cracking feels good. Like, I released some kind of pressure? I have always wondered if I was doing harm to my bones.

I also crack all the bones that you listed, and my neck. I also crack my toes!! My two big toes crack constantly. Like other bones, once you crack them you have to wait a while before you can crack them again.. not my toes.. they crack continuously lol..