Why Do my knuckles make a pop sound?
400535
because you're cracking them.
800652
It sounds as if your jaw is popping out of alignment.  Could lead to arthritis later in life.  I would stop doing this now.  I had a broken jaw when I was 13 years old and every now and then, my jaw pops and it hurts.  This does not happen very often, but I hope it does not cause me any further problems.
487951
the actual popping sound heard is pockets of carbon dioxide that have accumulated in b/w the vertebrea.  The purpose of the adjustment is to remove nerve interference so that the body can function at its optimum potential. When this interference is removed the nervous system is free and clear and the patient's ability to live in a state of optimum health increases dramatically. Dr's of Chiropractic are experts in identifying a problem with a patient's nervous system and correcting the subluxation. They do not use medications because their philosophy revolves arounf the theory that the power that made the body can also heal the body.
396652
If you've ever laced your fingers together, turned your palms away from you and bent your fingers back, you know what knuckle popping sounds like. Joints produce that CRACK when bubbles burst in the fluid surrounding the joint.\n\nJoints are the meeting points of two separate bones, held together and in place by connective tissues and ligaments. All of the joints in our bodies are surrounded by synovial fluid, a thick, clear liquid. When you stretch or bend your finger to pop the knuckle, you are causing the bones of the joint to pull apart. As they do, the connective tissue capsule that surrounds the joint is stretched. By stretching this capsule, you increase its volume. And as we know from chemistry class, with an increase in volume comes a decrease in pressure. So as the pressure of the synovial fluid drops, gases dissolved in the fluid become less soluble, forming bubbles through a process called cavitation. When the joint is stretched far enough, the pressure in the capsule drops so low that these bubbles burst, producing the pop that we associate with knuckle cracking.\n\nIt takes about 25-30 minutes for the gas to redissolve into the joint fluid. During this period of time, your knuckles will not crack. Once the gas is redissolved, cavitation is once again possible, and you can start popping your knuckles again.\n\nAs for the harms associated with this habit, according to Anatomy and Physiology Instructors' Cooperative, only one in-depth study regarding the possible detriments of knuckle popping has been published. This study, done by Raymond Brodeur and published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, examined 300 knuckle crackers for evidence of joint damage. The results revealed no apparent connection between joint cracking and arthritis; however, habitual knuckle poppers did show signs of other types of damage, including soft tissue damage to the joint capsule and a decrease in grip strength. This damage is most likely a result of the rapid, repeated stretching of the ligaments surrounding the joint. A professional baseball pitcher experiences similar, although obviously heightened, effects in the various joints of his pitching arm. But assuming you haven't signed a multimillion dollar contract to constantly pop your knuckles, it hardly seems worth the possible risk to your joints.\n\nOn the positive side, there is evidence of increased mobility in joints right after popping. When joints are manipulated, the Golgi tendon organs (a set of nerve endings involved in humans' motion sense) are stimulated and the muscles surrounding the joint are relaxed. This is part of the reason why people can feel "loose" and invigorated after leaving the chiropractor's office, where cavitation is induced as part of the treatment. Backs, knees, elbows and all other movable joints are subject to the same kind manipulation as knuckles are.
872066
I sounds like static electricity.\n\nLeave the  mouse, lick the tip of your finger and slowly touch the pointer before it moves, you might get a little shock but you'll get all the energy out of it and it should stop its nonsense.
327273
You don't pop your bones, you pop the joints. What makes the popping sounds is the rush of fluid. So no, it doesn't make your bones bigger. It may make your joints swollen if you irritate them though.
632427
Between your bones is sinovial fluid. Sometimes gas builds up in this fluid. Abrupt movements pop the gas bubbles and that is what you are hearing. It can be caused by arthritis or previous trauma to that area. By swinging your neck quickly you can pinch a nerve, that can lead to some serious problems. stretch in the morning and during the afternoon so that the tightness you might feel goes away
689779
My doc said it was normal to hear cracks every now and then...joints are supposed to move around (like when your back cracks when you stretch).\nMost of the time, the popping noise heard when you 'crack' joints is simply gas bubbles being forced out of cavities within the joint.\nIn such cases, there is little or no damage done, even in people who do it for fun.
1180661
when you "crack your knuckles", you are actually popping blood pockets in the joints, where no bones exist.\n\nyou are most likely popping these same bubbles where blood fills the tissue.  rock on
270655
And now for a serious answer.\n\nYes, you can definitely strain your neck when you perform crunches incorrectly.  Don't place your hands behind your head and don't pull your head up.  Place your hands either on your chest or in front of your ears.  That is, you should not be using your hands at all to assist you in the crunch.\n\nThe popping is simply gas that is being released from gapping the bones in your cervical (neck) spine.  It's typically harmless but if it's often, you could be creating hypermobility within a specific segment that is continually adjusting.  Keep an eye on this and if it continues with your hands in a stationary position (not pulling your head) you should seek the advice of a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist.
302976
My brother used to crack his knuckles and once asked a chiropractor about the repercussions of cracking. And you know what the chiropractor said? That the "popping" sound you hear when cracking, is merely your knuckle (or other joint) releasing nitrogen gas that is between your joints... and it's harmless. Of course, I think that it's more severe if you crack your neck or back, but knuckles are fine according to what my brother was told.
594099
The popping noise is just a change of the fluid in your joints escaping into a gas state.  Artbritis (osteo) is caused from excessive and abnormal joint rubbing.  As long as you aren't twisting the fingers to pop the joint, or you aren't popping them by pulling them backwards, you are safe.  If you move the joint in a direction it was ment to move, you will do no harm.  The other arthritis (rheumatoid) is an autoimmune problem and has absolutley nothing to do with popping the joint.
772140
Yes I do it too! Only mine sounds like a loud gurgle type sound in my throat. I hardly every burb but make this sound instead and it's quite embarrassing when it happens around other people and they're like "um what was that?" I just had a son 8 mths ago and after he finishes his bottle he'll do it too sometimes. I was so excited that he got this from me! I am not alone anymore!\n\nYou have to admit, it is pretty cool!!! If I drink pop I can do it over and over just by kind of swallowing a bit and trying to burp. You can feel a little "bubble" in your throat that slowly comes up to make the noise, so weird!
219427
The answer already given by Grant Master G is probably the closest to being correct.  Indeed when you do this, gases are entering the joint spaces of your knuckles.  However, there is no proof that this leads directly to arthritis or other problems with your fingers later on.\n\nI don't recommend doing it often, simply because it can be seen as a form of dislocation, although very minor.  I don't personally do it because I already have very mild arthritis in at least two fingers - both ring fingers coincidentally.  Women are more prone to getting arthritis of the hands/fingers in later life than men.  But then again, I see more men who "crack" their knuckles than women.
1077214
Popping of joints releasing pressure bubbles and was previously thought to cause arthritis.  While this has been largely disproven, it is a VERY bad idea to pop your knees as they are load bearing joints (unlike fingers).  Popping them can cause misalignments that, under pressure could result in injury or dislocation.  Popping is not a physical needs, but a compulsive behavior. Make a decision to stick to your finger and toes.  Steer clear of the knees, back and neck.
709578
Mine does something similar and it's the cd drive vibrating because of a poor 'fit' in the housing.  It stops if I press on the drive, as if I'm shutting it tighter, but once I take my hand off, it sounds like it's ready to take off.
304407
hips popping is natural like knuckles.