Does Cracking Your Joints Give You Arthritis?
Remember when your mum would tell you “Don’t crack your knuckles, it gives you arthritis!”?
Unsurprisingly I get asked about this all the time – I think it has something to do with the fact I spend around 90% of my time cracking people!
What might surprise you though is that a joint that “cracks” is often a sign of a healthy joint. It does NOT lead to arthritis.
Let me show you…
(Source: Directlyfitness.com)
Pictured above is a common joint found in your body. Much like a finger joint or one found in your back.
The green stuff in the middle is like an oil. Its called “synovial fluid”. Its job is to let the joint to move freely and smoothly.
When you get adjusted, the two bones move apart a small amount. Normally less than 1 millimetre!
(Source: feelgoodfruita.com)
As the bones move apart, it causes small gas bubbles to form. This is what gives the “cracking” noise. After around 30-45 minutes the bubbles are absorbed back into the synovial fluid (oil).
Here is a video I found of an MRI showing a finger joint cracking – kinda cool!
Rest assured, “cracking” your joints won’t give you arthritis.
What will give you arthritis is joints that get stuck and don’t move properly.
(Check out this video which shows how arthritis develops in the neck over time).
This can be a result of bad posture, injuries that haven’t been properly treated, or just not taking the time to take care of yourself.
This is why regular chiropractic care is so important. It supports a healthy posture, and healthy spinal joints which prevents your spine growing old with arthritis.
In your service,
Dr Jesse Middleton
Wellness Expert
Chiropractor
Dr Jesse Middleton is a wellness expert, leading chiropractor, speaker and natural health advocate. Dr Middleton is a respected, highly regarded master chiropractor whose passion is to teach people how to achieve health for themselves and their family regardless of genetics, age, and history. His Chiropractic Health & Wellness Clinics, onsite corporate and business wellness programs and ergonomic assessments provide people of all backgrounds with the practical tools necessary to build their own health towards the path to true wellness.
