Is Cracking Your Knuckles Actually Bad for You?

For years, mothers cautioned us about it - that good feeling when knuckles snap. It was once thought to cause arthritis, yet this is simply untrue.

Docs give the green light - pop those joints! It won’t bring on arthritis. Your joints are fine - however, keep any celebratory displays private.

Folks have opinions on that popping sound - some believe it causes arthritis, others find it simply irritating, while still others do it absentmindedly, barely noticing. It’s a surprisingly divisive habit, really

Should You Do It Whenever, Wherever?

For decades, people have been popping their knuckles without harm - one individual joked about doing so since ’96, hands still nimble. However, others consider it a grating habit, similar to a loud belch.

You’re right about how others might perceive this. It’s a noise that bothers quite a few. Nearly half - around 46% - think it’s acceptable to pop your knuckles. That leaves 54% that don’t, making it the majority.

The Truth From Studies

Back in the seventies, research appearing in the Western Journal of Medicine showed zero connection between popping your knuckles then developing arthritis. Not a single one.

But until recently, some still thought popping knuckles led to swollen hands along with weaker grips. However, more recent work from 2017 showed absolutely no link between the two. Consequently, those older findings appear unreliable.

Rheumatologist Eric Ruderman from Northwestern University shares that, throughout his career, he hasn’t observed lasting health issues resulting from this. And many other credible doctors agree.

A physician in California, curious about the situation, opted into a little experiment. For half a century, he popped those left-hand knuckles - morning and night, without fail. His right hand? Untouched, kept purely for comparison.

In 1998, he shared what he discovered: both hands were completely free from arthritis. And they both looked identical. Now that’s dedication.

There's One Catch

Listen to your body - don’t pop your joints further than feels right. As Dr. Nance points out, overextending can damage them, leading to aches or puffiness. Respect what feels natural.

Bottom line: joint popping is perfectly okay if it doesn’t bother you.

What Makes That Sensation So Satisfying?

A pop – whether your knuckles, back, or even a neck or knee - just feels good, doesn't it? It’s how your body eases tension, letting go of built-up pressure alongside those little gas pockets forming within the joints.

That popping noise? It’s just bubbles breaking. Some find it strangely pleasant, while it really bothers others.

In fact, this might be how people came to believe it leads to arthritis. Dr. Ruderman has a theory:

Your mother always told you not to crack your knuckles - because she didn't like the sound of it.

So, that’s likely the story. Moms and dads disliked the sound of knuckles cracking - it bothered them - so they invented a health scare to halt it. Despite lacking any proof whatsoever, the connection to arthritis lingered for ages.

The Verdict

Concerning your well-being, nothing suggests a need to stop the pop. Years spent investigating - even a physician’s fifty-year study - converge on a single idea: it poses no danger.

So, go ahead, pop those knuckles if it helps you ease tension - though perhaps avoid it during meetings or meals as many find the sound irritating.

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