Is cracking my knuckles bad for me?
Thanks for asking.
Well, if you're asking that question, I'll take it as a given that you do personally crack
your knuckles.
As you're probably aware, many people find the noise pretty off-putting, or just downright
annoying.
You've probably also been told at some point that doing so will give you arthritis, most
likely by someone already annoyed at you doing it.
So just how seriously should you be taking that know it all?
It's just so satisfying though, isn't it?
Indeed many people say they get a physical release from cracking their joints, leading
to a feeling of looseness and a brief increase in mobility.
But a lot of the time it's simply an unconscious habit.
Various studies have been carried out on the prevalence of knuckle cracking, and they
suggest that somewhere between a quarter and a half of all people do it.
Men tend to do so more than women according to the research.
Where does that popping noise come from?
That's actually been a topic of some debate over the years.
One thing we know for sure though is that it has something to do with bubbles in the joints.
Our knuckle joints are actually filled with synovial fluid, which contains dissolved
gases like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
The fluid stops our finger bonds from grinding on each other.
When you crack your knuckles, the bones are pulled away from one another, causing a sudden
drop in pressure in the middle of the joint and allowing vacuum cavities or bubbles to form.
Some scientists have speculated that the forming of these cavities makes the distinctive popping
sound when knuckles are cracked.
Back in 2015, researchers at the University of Alberta proved it by pulling the fingers
of a test subject inside an MRI machine.
But more recent research suggests it's actually the collapse of those bubbles in the joints
behind the noise, rather than their formation.
The study published in scientific reports was backed up by mathematical formulas.
Well, regardless of where the cracking noise comes from, is it harmful?
There actually hasn't been a lot of formal research to know for sure.
In some studies have relied on simply asking people whether they had been regular knuckle
crackers for a long period of time.
But medical experts tend to agree that the health risks of knuckle cracking are minimal,
particularly when it comes to a serious condition like arthritis.
Some people with arthritis may find their joints cracked because their cartilage has already
been damaged, but that doesn't mean the cracking itself is the cause.
A recent women's health article reviewed by Dr. Elaine Husney of the Cleveland Clinic
suggested that knuckle cracking can lead to joint laxity.
Pain from that might sometimes be mistaken for symptoms of arthritis.
So while there may not be any significant benefits to knuckle cracking, don't feel
like you have to stop for health reasons.
Just try not to drive your friends, colleagues or family members crazy if you can help it.
There you have it.
Now you know where the cracking your knuckles is bad for you.
In under three minutes we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind
the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines.
Listen along and you will really know for sure.
