Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Do It?When It’s HarmfulRelieving PainShould I Continue?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Do It?
When It’s Harmful
Relieving Pain
Should I Continue?
You’re not alone if you like the feel-good pop of cracking your knuckles. Up to 45% of people admit to knuckle cracking.If you’ve ever been told it’ll give youarthritis, rest assured that research does not support the theory.Almost 24% of adults in the United States have a form of arthritis.And arthritis is more common among older adults. There’s bound to be an overlap of people who crack their knuckles and later develop arthritis. However, there’s no evidence of cause and effect.Cracking your knuckles isn’t bad for your health. It’s a common habit, but not everyone appreciates that popping sound. Whether it qualifies as a bad habit depends on your personal point of view.This article describes what happens when you crack your knuckles, why that pop feels so good, and how it’s possible to injure yourself.fotostorm/ Getty ImagesWhy People Like Cracking Their KnucklesThere might be some benefits to cracking your knuckles. As the knuckle cracks, tension is instantly released as the joint space widens. The pop is the sound of escaping gas bubbles in thesynovial fluid(joint fluid).As you work to crack your knuckles, your joint ligaments stretch, which leaves you with a greaterrange of motion. The joint space takes at least 15 minutes to settle back into the resting position.You won’t hear thatpopping soundif you try to crack your knuckles again too soon.There are many reasons you might crack your knuckles, including:Releasing the pressure feels good.It helps your fingers feel more flexible.It helps you cope with nervousness or anxiety, much likefingernail bitingor hair twisting.It’s such a habit that you don’t always realize you’re doing it.When Is Cracking Your Knuckles Harmful?Studies show that knuckle cracking is not associated withhand arthritis.And research finds that people who crack their knuckles don’t have more swelling, decreased grip, or hand disabilities than those who don’t.If you do it gently, there’s not much danger associated with cracking your knuckles.However, you might risk making matters worse if you have a finger injury or other hand problems. And although it doesn’t happen often, you can get carried away and use too much force, which couldsprain or dislocate your finger.It’s best not to crack your knuckles if you have a hand injury or:Your fingers or knuckles hurt or are swollen.Your fingers are stiff, or you can’t move them normally.Your fingers look discolored or bent.You may have an undiagnosed injury or arthritis. Speak to a healthcare provider about the potential problems of knuckle cracking if you have:Finger arthritisKnuckle arthritisTrigger finger, a condition that affects finger jointsHow to Relieve Pain From Cracking Your KnucklesCracking your knuckles shouldn’t hurt or leave you with unpleasant side effects. If it does, hold off on knuckle cracking for a while. Here are a few things you can try to help ease minor pain:Rest your hand when possible.Apply ice for about 20 minutes every two to three hours.Take Tylenol (acetaminophen).With all the delicate bones in the hand, it’s not difficult tosprain, dislocate, orfracturea finger. If the pain gets worse or keeps coming back, you might need medical attention. Other signs that you shouldsee a healthcare providerinclude:SwellingTendernessBruisingNumbness or tinglingAn apparent deformityA finger that doesn’t move the way it should or at allBesides knuckles, some people crack their toes, ankles,neck, or back. Remember, cracking shouldn’t hurt. It’s best to avoid intentionally cracking a part of your body that’s weakened, swollen, or injured. Never force your back or neck into position.Cracking your back and neck incorrectly or with too much force can lead to other problems.The neck and back are home to many vital nerves and blood vessels. A physical therapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare professional can teach you how to do it correctly. Options besides cracking include:Use ice or heat.Get a back rub ormassage.Do exercises to stretch and strengthen yourneck muscles.Do exercises to stretch and strengthen yourback muscles.Should I Continue Cracking My Knuckles?If there’s no swelling and your knuckles and fingers feel fine, it’s likely a harmless habit. There’s no medical reason to stop.However, if you question why you want to crack your knuckles all the time every day, then it’s worth exploring. You may want to consider whether the habit is due to stress or anxiety. And if cracking your knuckles results in problems such as pain or swelling, it might be time to break the habit and see a healthcare provider.SummaryCracking your knuckles widens the joint space, which creates that feel-good pop. It can also temporarily improve your range of motion. As long as you’re doing it gently, there’s no evidence that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis or any other medical problem. But it’s important not to use so much force that you cause a sprain or fracture. And you should probably stop if you already have problems with your knuckles or fingers.Cracking your knuckles should not hurt. A healthcare provider can help find the cause of pain, swelling, or other problems that crop up when you crack your knuckles.
You’re not alone if you like the feel-good pop of cracking your knuckles. Up to 45% of people admit to knuckle cracking.If you’ve ever been told it’ll give youarthritis, rest assured that research does not support the theory.
Almost 24% of adults in the United States have a form of arthritis.And arthritis is more common among older adults. There’s bound to be an overlap of people who crack their knuckles and later develop arthritis. However, there’s no evidence of cause and effect.
Cracking your knuckles isn’t bad for your health. It’s a common habit, but not everyone appreciates that popping sound. Whether it qualifies as a bad habit depends on your personal point of view.
This article describes what happens when you crack your knuckles, why that pop feels so good, and how it’s possible to injure yourself.
fotostorm/ Getty Images
Why People Like Cracking Their Knuckles
There might be some benefits to cracking your knuckles. As the knuckle cracks, tension is instantly released as the joint space widens. The pop is the sound of escaping gas bubbles in thesynovial fluid(joint fluid).
As you work to crack your knuckles, your joint ligaments stretch, which leaves you with a greaterrange of motion. The joint space takes at least 15 minutes to settle back into the resting position.You won’t hear thatpopping soundif you try to crack your knuckles again too soon.
There are many reasons you might crack your knuckles, including:
When Is Cracking Your Knuckles Harmful?
Studies show that knuckle cracking is not associated withhand arthritis.And research finds that people who crack their knuckles don’t have more swelling, decreased grip, or hand disabilities than those who don’t.If you do it gently, there’s not much danger associated with cracking your knuckles.
However, you might risk making matters worse if you have a finger injury or other hand problems. And although it doesn’t happen often, you can get carried away and use too much force, which couldsprain or dislocate your finger.
It’s best not to crack your knuckles if you have a hand injury or:Your fingers or knuckles hurt or are swollen.Your fingers are stiff, or you can’t move them normally.Your fingers look discolored or bent.You may have an undiagnosed injury or arthritis. Speak to a healthcare provider about the potential problems of knuckle cracking if you have:Finger arthritisKnuckle arthritisTrigger finger, a condition that affects finger joints
It’s best not to crack your knuckles if you have a hand injury or:
You may have an undiagnosed injury or arthritis. Speak to a healthcare provider about the potential problems of knuckle cracking if you have:
How to Relieve Pain From Cracking Your Knuckles
Cracking your knuckles shouldn’t hurt or leave you with unpleasant side effects. If it does, hold off on knuckle cracking for a while. Here are a few things you can try to help ease minor pain:
With all the delicate bones in the hand, it’s not difficult tosprain, dislocate, orfracturea finger. If the pain gets worse or keeps coming back, you might need medical attention. Other signs that you shouldsee a healthcare providerinclude:
Besides knuckles, some people crack their toes, ankles,neck, or back. Remember, cracking shouldn’t hurt. It’s best to avoid intentionally cracking a part of your body that’s weakened, swollen, or injured. Never force your back or neck into position.Cracking your back and neck incorrectly or with too much force can lead to other problems.The neck and back are home to many vital nerves and blood vessels. A physical therapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare professional can teach you how to do it correctly. Options besides cracking include:Use ice or heat.Get a back rub ormassage.Do exercises to stretch and strengthen yourneck muscles.Do exercises to stretch and strengthen yourback muscles.
Besides knuckles, some people crack their toes, ankles,neck, or back. Remember, cracking shouldn’t hurt. It’s best to avoid intentionally cracking a part of your body that’s weakened, swollen, or injured. Never force your back or neck into position.
Cracking your back and neck incorrectly or with too much force can lead to other problems.The neck and back are home to many vital nerves and blood vessels. A physical therapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare professional can teach you how to do it correctly. Options besides cracking include:
Should I Continue Cracking My Knuckles?
If there’s no swelling and your knuckles and fingers feel fine, it’s likely a harmless habit. There’s no medical reason to stop.
However, if you question why you want to crack your knuckles all the time every day, then it’s worth exploring. You may want to consider whether the habit is due to stress or anxiety. And if cracking your knuckles results in problems such as pain or swelling, it might be time to break the habit and see a healthcare provider.
Summary
Cracking your knuckles widens the joint space, which creates that feel-good pop. It can also temporarily improve your range of motion. As long as you’re doing it gently, there’s no evidence that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis or any other medical problem. But it’s important not to use so much force that you cause a sprain or fracture. And you should probably stop if you already have problems with your knuckles or fingers.
Cracking your knuckles should not hurt. A healthcare provider can help find the cause of pain, swelling, or other problems that crop up when you crack your knuckles.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Boutin RD, Netto AP, Nakamura D, et al.“Knuckle cracking”: can blinded observers detect changes with physical examination and sonography?Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017;475(4):1265-1271. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-5215-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis related statistics.Harvard Health Publishing.Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying?deWeber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med.2011;24(2):169-174. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156National Health Service U.K.Finger pain.OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Finger fractures.Northwestern Medicine.Is cracking your back bad for you?Go Ask Alice.Is neck and back cracking all it’s cracked up to be?
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Boutin RD, Netto AP, Nakamura D, et al.“Knuckle cracking”: can blinded observers detect changes with physical examination and sonography?Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017;475(4):1265-1271. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-5215-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis related statistics.Harvard Health Publishing.Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying?deWeber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med.2011;24(2):169-174. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156National Health Service U.K.Finger pain.OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Finger fractures.Northwestern Medicine.Is cracking your back bad for you?Go Ask Alice.Is neck and back cracking all it’s cracked up to be?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Boutin RD, Netto AP, Nakamura D, et al.“Knuckle cracking”: can blinded observers detect changes with physical examination and sonography?Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017;475(4):1265-1271. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-5215-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis related statistics.Harvard Health Publishing.Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying?deWeber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med.2011;24(2):169-174. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156National Health Service U.K.Finger pain.OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Finger fractures.Northwestern Medicine.Is cracking your back bad for you?Go Ask Alice.Is neck and back cracking all it’s cracked up to be?
Boutin RD, Netto AP, Nakamura D, et al.“Knuckle cracking”: can blinded observers detect changes with physical examination and sonography?Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017;475(4):1265-1271. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-5215-3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis related statistics.
Harvard Health Publishing.Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying?
deWeber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med.2011;24(2):169-174. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156
National Health Service U.K.Finger pain.
OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Finger fractures.
Northwestern Medicine.Is cracking your back bad for you?
Go Ask Alice.Is neck and back cracking all it’s cracked up to be?
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