Some people find it satisfying, while others can’t stand the sound, but love it or hate it, the question remains, is cracking your knuckles good, or bad for you? Many of us have been told that intentionally cracking joints like knuckles could result in increased risk of arthritis in old age, but much like the myth (1) that standing in cold weather for too long will cause the cold virus, this has been debunked. The truth is that cracking your knuckles is neither good or bad for your health, however, if you experience pain in your knuckles or other joints when they crack, this could be a sign of something more serious. 

Whether or not you crack your knuckles, it is vitally important to take care of your joints. Supplements like Pure Vitality Joint Vitality and Muscle and Joint Cream can not only ease existing discomfort, they may actually help protect your joints from the natural aging process, keeping them healthier and pain-free well into your golden years. 

What Is Actually Happening When You Crack Your Knuckles?

In order to understand the answer to this question, it’s helpful to know a little bit about how your joints work. A joint is the part of your body where two bones meet, and in order to stop them rubbing together and wearing down over time, the space between them is full of connective tissue (cartilage) and a soft tissue called synovium along with a lubricant called synovial fluid. This synovial fluid contains dissolved gases, like oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen and the popping sound you hear is that gas being released when that joint is stretched. Once the gas has been released you won’t be able to pop the joint again until it’s been absorbed back into the fluid, which explains why you can’t crack your joints multiple times in a row. 

There are other joints which may naturally crack when you stretch after a long period of inactivity, such as getting out of bed in the morning, and as you age you might begin to hear your knees cracking more than they used to as you bend and squat. This is also perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. 

Are Popping Joints Ever A Sign Of A More Serious Problem?

While cracking your knuckles is harmless, and the odd crack as you go about your daily life is expected if you’re intentionally cracking your back to relieve pain, or if any of the pops in your joints are accompanied by aches and discomfort, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Additionally, intentionally cracking large joints like those in your spine requires some force, which puts you at risk of over-stretching ligaments and muscles around the joint, or sending your spine into misalignment, all of which are likely to exacerbate the problem. 

What Should I Do If I Experience Joint Pain?

If you are experiencing joint pain it’s important to visit a doctor who can give you a diagnosis and treatment plan. They may recommend a chiropractor who can help you find the source of the problem and correct it with treatment over time. Supplements like Pure Vitality Joint Vitality and Muscle and Joint Cream can also help. A simple daily tablet like Joint Vitality offers a comprehensive and complete solution, including a host of all natural ingredients specially formulated for building and maintaining joint health. Manganese and Vitamin D will help relax muscle and build healthy bones, Turmeric/Curcumin extract relieves inflammation, and grapeseed extract provides effective pain relief. For a natural topical solution, try Pure Vitality Muscle and Joint Cream. This powerful formula contains MSM to lower inflammation and restore damaged bodily tissue, calendula for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as peppermint oil to cool inflamed joints and relieve discomfort on the spot.   

So, knuckle crackers rejoice! You can go ahead and pop your knuckles as often as you like with no risk of causing long-term damage, but remember, if you’re experiencing joint pain it’s important to listen to your body and be sure to visit a doctor as this could be a sign of something more serious. Don’t forget to try Pure Vitality Joint Vitality and Muscle and Joint Cream to relieve inflamed joints and promote the lifelong health of not only your knuckles but all of the joints in your body. 

Pure Vitality

Pure Vitality a natural supplement company based in an isolated village nestled against the snow-capped Southern Alps of New Zealand. We research health conditions thoroughly to discover the underlying root causes, find the most effective natural remedies, target the root causes rather than use a Band-Aid approach, use a multi-prong approach to fix the root causes from many directions and use high potency ingredients at scientifically supported amounts.

References:

(1) https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-10-health-myths-debunked

https://draxe.com/cracking-knuckles-bad/

http://time.com/3529225/cracking-knuckles-is-it-bad-for-you/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-the-sound-when/