Popping your knuckles?

[chopiabin]

I always pop my knuckles when I first sit down to play. Is that bad? Can there be any long-term damage? I like popping them, but if doing it means I will get arthritis really quickly then I will have to stop.

[Plaz]

There is no evidence that cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis.  You can read more at:

https://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/general/faq/01/#e

and:

https://www.panix.com/~iayork/knuckles.html

[bernhard]

Popping your knuckles, cracking your back and your neck, you name it, is all very good for you. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Every time you crack you release stuck energy, which then can flow unimpeded. Why do you think chiropractors and osteopaths spend most of their time cracking people’s backs?

Besides it is a great part trick. Watch people (the ladies specially) squirm as you loudly crack you neck! Great fun.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[chopiabin]

That makes me feel so much better. I constantly pop my wrists and fingers, and my hands always feel very flexible. Thanks Bernhard, you really have some of the most valuable advice to be given on this site.

[bernhard]

That makes me feel so much better. I constantly pop my wrists and fingers, and my hands always feel very flexible. Thanks Bernhard, you really have some of the most valuable advice to be given on this site.

Having said that popping and cracking is very good for one since it releases blocked energy, I must perhaps add that ideally one should not need to crack anything if one was in a state of perfect energetic balance. In such a state one would actually not be able to crack joints. (You may also not be able to crack them simply because you are too blocked).

Yes, cracking will release the energy, but it is a short term release. It deals with symptoms not with causes. If you find yourself constantly cracking (or having to constantly crack joints) it may be that your lifestyle is creating energetic inbalances and blockages in your body.

In my experience the four most useful activities for the restoration of energetic balance that will make cracking unnecessary and ultimately you will not be able to crack anymore are Yoga, tai chi chuan, rohlfing and the Alexander technique. (There are others, like Feldenkrais, but I do not have first hand experience with those).

Best wishes,
Bernhard

[chopiabin]

What is rohlfing? It sounds a bit scary.

[bernhard]

Rohlfing is a system of deep tissue massage invented by Dr. Ida Rohlf (she wrote a book "Rohlfing" about it - highly recommended - the book does not teach you how to do it - you need an apprenticeship for that - but it does give the theoretical basis for it. Absolutely fascinating).

Do you know what fascia is? It is like a plastic envelope holding muscle. If you ever prepared a big slab of meat, like, say a lamb's leg (are you reading this, veggies out there?) you will know what I mean.

Dr. Rohlf's (she was a Dr. of biochiemistry, not medicine) contention was that all sort of emotional issues shaped fascia, which in turn shaped muscle. According to her, normal massages targeted muscle, but as soon as the massage was over, the fascia would return the muscles to their previous incorrect and unhealthy shape.

Therefore her system of massage reshapes the fascia.

It is expensive, but the whole process takes only 12 sessions of one hour (spaced every two weeks). The results are dramatic and pretty much permanent (or at least very long term). It is also very painful in an extremely weird way. The pain is more emotional then physical. Not uncommon for people to sob uncontrollably during the process.

This is a very summarized account of a very complex theory. If you are interested, get the book.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[faulty_damper]

Also to add to Bernhard's list:  Kegel exercises.

[bernhard]

Also to add to Bernhard's list:  Kegel exercises.

[xvimbi]

Also to add to Bernhard's list:  Kegel exercises.

Very relaxing are of course also the activities you need the Kegel exercises for...

It is amazing how perfectly fine threads can deteriorate within four posts... By now, we have offended vegetarians and people who believe that any "fleshy" activity is a sin.

Has anyone else noticed that there are practically only two attractors for threads? They seem to end either in utter silliness or in flame wars.

[allchopin]

Actually, cracking your knucles is not all good, despite some rave reviews mixed with oversight.  In time, it can lead to degradation of soft tissues, as well as a weaker grip.  But aside from that, pop on!

As for Rohlfing, isn't that a piano make?

[xvimbi]

Actually, cracking your knucles is not all good, despite some rave reviews mixed with oversight.  In time, it can lead to degradation of soft tissues, as well as a weaker grip.  But aside from that, pop on!

Some more about this:
"Popping" is called "articular release". Together with "cracking", it can have several causes, although it's is not quite understood: release of nitrogen bubbles, tendons snapping over or around joints, and the rapid tightening of ligaments.

There is no indication that articular release causes diseases such as arthritis (only in extreme cases, where people "pop" and "crack" all day). In fact, there is indication that it decreases the occurrence of arthritis.

Repeated articular release can lead to increased mobility. Believe it or not, but this is actually bad! The space around the joints gets wider, and the joints get looser. The tendons no longer fit the arrangements. It is much more difficult to control the movements of a loose joint through muscular actions.

[donjuan]

Some more about this:
"Popping" is called "articular release". Together with "cracking", it can have several causes, although it's is not quite understood: release of nitrogen bubbles, tendons snapping over or around joints, and the rapid tightening of ligaments.

There is no indication that articular release causes diseases such as arthritis (only in extreme cases, where people "pop" and "crack" all day). In fact, there is indication that it decreases the occurrence of arthritis.

Repeated articular release can lead to increased mobility. Believe it or not, but this is actually bad! The space around the joints gets wider, and the joints get looser. The tendons no longer fit the arrangements. It is much more difficult to control the movements of a loose joint through muscular actions.

This is all so very interesting! Is there a web site (a competent website) that has this information?  I would love to show it to my Grandmother who is full of superstitions.
donjuan

[xvimbi]

This is all so very interesting! Is there a web site (a competent website) that has this information?  I would love to show it to my Grandmother who is full of superstitions.
donjuan

Check out:
https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/joint.html
https://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/general/joints/05
https://science.howstuffworks.com/question437.htm
https://www.health.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=61723

Those are just a few. They seem to be copying each other to some extent.

[donjuan]

wow, thanks a bunch, Xvimbi!
Wait till my grandmother reads this!  Next, I need to find a way to convince her going outside in the cold weather will not make her come down with a cold.  stubborn old bird...
donjuan

[Motrax]

I can crack the joints in my fingers just by clenching and unclenching my fists.

(Apologies for the spam, I just felt the need to point that out.  )

[donjuan]

I can crack the joints in my fingers just by clenching and unclenching my fists.

(Apologies for the spam, I just felt the need to point that out.  )

just like Bruce Lee, right?

[xvimbi]

I can crack the joints in my fingers just by clenching and unclenching my fists.

That's funny - I can crack other people's joints in their fingers by clenching and unclenching my fists

[Spatula]

Well at least that takes some of the pressure off (mind the pun) about the fears of damage to your joints doesn't it?  

[Motrax]

Indeed it does. Especially when I get up in the morning, clenching my fists sounds like firecrackers. Though I was never really worried about the "dangers" of knuckle-cracking. It's relaxing, so it must be healthy.  

[Spatula]

Indeed it does. Especially when I get up in the morning, clenching my fists sounds like firecrackers. Though I was never really worried about the "dangers" of knuckle-cracking. It's relaxing, so it must be healthy.  

I just hope its not too much of a good thing...

[faulty_damper]

I've been trying to crack my knuckles or any other joints since I last checked this thread 3 days ago.  Nope, no etincelles de Mozkowsky.


But I ride my bicycle a lot, does that release those NO bubbles?  To think of it, I haven't heard a joint crack in a long, long time!

[donjuan]

But I ride my bicycle a lot, does that release those NO bubbles?  To think of it, I haven't heard a joint crack in a long, long time!

I dont want to change the subject, but I have noticed you talk about cycling in other threads as well.  what kind of biking do you do?  What kind of bike?
just curious,
donjuan

[faulty_damper]

Oh wait!  Actually, that statement was false!  I did hear myself crack a tendon... when I rode off the road at 30 mph, went into a ditch, and flipped off my bike head first into the dirt.  I heard a "crack" coming from my neck area.  This was last year, the first week of school.  Lesson found out: I need health insurance.  ($19k USD in medical bills)
 
Road cycling, racing, sometimes riding 80+ mile days.

But that crack didn't relieve any stress, it created a hell of a lot of it!

[donjuan]

 
Road cycling, racing, sometimes riding 80+ mile days.

so, are you one of those cyclists who wear tight speedos and ride all crouched over on those super-light weight 10 000$ road bikes with skinny little tires?  I tried riding those, but I quickly lost balance- also, the seat was so uncomfortable because it was cutting into my arteries and threatening to cause impotence! NOOOOO!!...Men should have the little gap in the middle of the seat, otherwise, well...NOOOOO!!!

donjuan

[faulty_damper]

See here for the response, DonJuan.
https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=nopi;action=display;num=1088671267;start=0

[Lauren98]

Hello!
I have arthritis in my hands, and although I try not to pop my knuckles much, sometimes my hands hurt after I pop them.  However, other times it helps it feel better so I can't really say if it's good or bad; I just try to avoid it to be on the safe side.
Lauren

[allthumbs]

Greetings

Popping your knuckles is not harmful, the sound is the result of the release of nitrogen in the joint. However, it does drive my wife crazy and she chastizes me every time I do it.

Cheers

[Daevren]

I heard experts say its not bad. Some experts even suggest it may be good.

But why is it so addictive? At least it is for me. I used to do it alot and I felt really bad. Also because it was impossible to quit. That really annoyed me.

When I get the fluke or I have some other pain in my body I always end up popping my big toe.

I could say I have it under control now.

[allthumbs]

Greetings

But why is it so addictive? At least it is for me. I used to do it alot and I felt really bad. Also because it was impossible to quit.

E-mail me and I will put you in touch with a member of KPA (Knuckle Poppers' Anonymous). They have a 12 step program and a prayer...

God grant me the Serenity to accept the knuckle popping I cannot change.

Courage to change the knuckle popping things I can.

And Wisdom to know the knuckle popping difference.


Cheers


PS - No offence to AA intended