My friend and I crack our finger knuckles and our toes.  Is it bad for you?  How does it affect your body?  please no joke answers and include the source.  If you say "me" as your source, please tell me how you know that, like if you crack something.  Thank you.  We have heard that it gives you arthritis, and we also heard that it prevents arthritis.  We want to know if we should continue our cracking or stop cracking.  If you know anything, please include how we can stop if we need to (if possible)  Thanks again.  Have a nice day.
204972
I spoke to a Dr. recently about this and he gave me am article about it............NO it is not it is an old myth, about arthritis and knuckles getting larger, the cracking sound that is heard is only gasses in the joint and by cracking them it just releases the gas...and then when the gas refills the joint it can be popped again
51845
Wow, so many agressive answers!!!! You guys are such hypocrtits!! How easy it is to point the finger at those whose vices are visible to all. What if everybody knew  your weakness and was allowed to hate you for it?! Do you really think smoking is worse than junk food or alcohol?? Millions of people are sick as a result of an unhealthy diet. What do you wanna do next? Tell us what we are allowed to eat or how much we may drink? \nI agree that smoking should not harm those that are not active smokers but like someone said, smoking in public is already very restricted. I don't  think that passive smoking is a big issue anymore these days.\nHow about a little tolerance and acceptance. Nobody is perfect. We all have our little weaknesses. \nDon't try to tell others how to live their life, it's none of your business.\nBy the way, I'm a non-smoker!!!!
419508
This is not about a butt crack per say, but it is about a butt...\nI work in a hospital laboratory and what my job was is to inspect certain samples for cancer cells. One day I got a case that explained the specimen was taken out of a mans rectum. I got the specimen and it was an industrial raovac flashlight. The man claims he was working on his furnace in the basement and he fell backwards onto the flashlight. I talked to the doctor and we were kind of poking fun at this man. I asked the doc who in the world would "work on their furnace" naked? And the doc said well, he also told me not to tell his wife what happened.\nGross...
65672
Crack is really harmful for the body. You shouldn't do a survey on that. And if you DO do crack, stop. It's just the same thing as suicide. Except with this one, you drag the pain out longer. Plus, all your parents will nag you about it when you're starting to die. See? So don't do drugs!
371206
ITS JUST HABIT BUT IF YOU DONT STOP WHEN YOU ARE OLDER YOU WILL HAVE WORSE JOINT PAIN. ARTHRITUS TAKE CALCIUM FOR YOUR BONES AND A GOOD VITAMIN
431391
Probably IS arthritis.  There is a web site that gives an excellent explanation of joint cracking.  I have listed it below.
386535
Have you had an xray for this yet?  If not, I would definately recommend you get one.  It sounds like you have have done more than jam your finger.  There are a few different things that could be triggering your knuckle to swell months after the initial injury.  The most common would be a fracture.  There are other possibilities as well.  Does the finger continue to swell bigger or has it leveled out?  You may have a fragment floating around there irritating everything.  I would suggest you definately at least have it checked out, there is a possibility the swelling will go down, but do you really wanna risk the ring not fitting on your wedding day?  Make an appt with your family dr and KNOW what is going on.  Hope your finger feels better and Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!
271798
I know what you mean, how addictive is this????\n\nBut at least its not bad for our health, eh?
608405
THAT RUNNING IS BAD FOR YOU. I get so sick and tired of people telling me this, really. I am in the best shape of my life, I can point out major news articles and research about the long and short term benefits of running, mentally and physically.\n\nI get so sick of people saying I'll get arthritis of the knees when the NUMBER 1 risk factor for that is being overweight.
9791
I used to do that when I was younger, but not anymore.  If you can stem up the willpower and not crack your knuckles for a couple of months.  It should be harder to do, and not feel confortable doing.  \n\nI've heard it causes arthritis, but I've taken the liberty to do a search.  \nHere is a small quote from the article listed at the website below: "Kids may develop a habit of cracking their knuckles because they like the sound. The "crack" comes because of a change in the synovial fluid, the lubricant that bathes the joints. When finger bones are suddenly stretched apart, the space between the joints widens, and an air bubble forms in the synovial fluid. The bubble quickly bursts and makes a sharp sound."\n\nApparently, there is no proven link between cracking knuckles and arthritis.
45457
I shattered my finger joint so badly they sent me to a specialist.  He took off the splint right away (1 day after the break) and said that while it was healing I had to move it as much as I wanted to be able to move it after it was done healing, otherwise I would have very restricted movement.  Even though it hurt a lot I bent it all the way back and forth every minute of every day until it was done healing.  I have a joint with normal movement.  Just keep remembering that you want full use of it.  You should have done it from the beginning, but good luck.
515555
Nope. It's simply caused by the release of air pockets between the joints. It's a myth that it causes arthritis. It may make your knuckles a little larger (mine have), but it won't cause any major health problems.
88257
Absolutely.  There is no purpose to doing them.  Your joints in your fingers are not meant to support your body weight.  Look at how small your knuckles are.  Now imagine how small the tiny ligaments that hold them together are.  It's perfectly logical that you shouldn't do them.  You don't get anything more out of it than doing regular pushups.
665095
Cracking your back by yourself is'nt bad unless your forcing it to pop or crack.    It should be preformed by a professional.  By cracking or popping your joints you are releasing air from the joints and that is good.  A chiropractor has studied the joints and knows which way he or she can manipulate the joints without damaging them.
499111
I have often wondered about the connection between rheumatoid arthritis and EBV.  My mother's first attacks of rheumatoid arthritis were accompanied by very high EBV levels in her blood, of course with extreme fatigue and all of that good stuff.  So I suppose I don't really have an answer for you, but I wanted you to know that you're not the only person whose arthritis seems somehow connected to EBV.
387625
I was told by a rheumatologist that it does not cause arthritis...but I do know it does make your knuckles bigger...I have rings & can't wear anymore! Try not to!
215894
I wouldn't say that it's GOOD or BAD for your health.\n\nIf you like doing it, knock yourself out. \nBut it's not going to harm you either way.