Some people find cracking their knuckles beneficial, while it makes others cringe. But what exactly causes the snapping and popping, and does it do lasting damage to your fingers? This health tip explains what consequences you can expect as a result of bending and stretching your fingers.
For many people, stretching is a normal part of their early morning routine – and that often involves cracking their knuckles. The louder the crack, the more satisfying it is. While some people feel the need to crack their knuckles to loosen up, others find the sound unpleasant. Knuckle-crackers are often told the habit is bad for their joints and they should stop doing it. But is that really true?
Is cracking your knuckles bad for you or is that just a myth?
If you're in the habit of cracking your knuckles but concerned that it might be bad for your fingers, don't worry: it's not. There's no evidence that stretching your finger joints is harmful. And it doesn't lead to osteoarthritis or joint inflammation (arthritis). It's simply a tick.
But one thing that's certain is that cracking isn't necessary to loosen your fingers – even if people who do it find it a nice way of relieving tension.
What makes the cracking sound?
The human body contains around 100 joints that connect around twice as many bones. As in other parts of the body, the joints in the fingers provide mobility. When you stretch your fingers, you expand the space between the bones, which creates a vacuum. Air escapes, and this creates the characteristic popping sound. This sound is a purely physical phenomenon and has no negative effects on the health of your fingers.
Kick the habit with these tips
Although cracking your knuckles isn't harmful, some people may want to stop out of consideration for people around them. It's not always that easy. As with many habits, it takes discipline and persistence. The following tips can help you kick the knuckle-cracking habit:
Be aware: You should pinpoint the times when you tend to crack your knuckles. The best thing to do is to keep a knuckle-cracking diary to find the triggers that make you do it.
Find an alternative: Once you know, you can come up with a different way of reacting to those moments instead of cracking your knuckles. One alternative could be taking a couple of deep breaths.
Self-motivation: Reward yourself for days when you manage to not crack your knuckles, or introduce a penalty such as having to put a franc in a jar every time you do it.
