ELI5: why do people crack their knuckles? does it have any benefits, or is it actually bad for you?

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ELI5: why do people crack their knuckles? does it have any benefits, or is it actually bad for you?

Comments

  1. Anonymous0964 Avatar

    Because they like the sound or to relieve stress. It’s not bad for you.

  2. eeeeeeeeEeeEEeeeE6 Avatar

    Okay, I crack my knuckles because I saw it in a movie as a kid (some Clint Eastwood western I guess).

    And it took me a few tries but I got it eventually.

    Then, I just kept doing it, feels kinda good but when I think about it, not really.

    And no, it’s been debunked that it has any negative effects.

  3. Halflife84 Avatar

    I find mine crack louder and more frequently when it’s cold..

    And for me it feels like it releases tension

  4. lowriderdog37 Avatar

    Pressure builds up, cracking releases it. Not just knuckles though, also my left knee, low back and neck. The neck thing isn’t nearly as cool as in the movies.

    Take care of that body, getting old sucks.

  5. Organs_for_rent Avatar

    Several of my joints (knees, elbows, toes, vertebrae) get stiff when inactive for some time, but none more so than my knuckles. Cracking them both limbers them up and improves range of motion.

    Studies have not demonstrated any causal link between knuckle cracking and diminished function.

  6. jriggs115 Avatar

    Honestly for me it’s just a habit. I’m always fidgeting with my hands if I’m just not doing anything at the moment which results in me just cracking my knuckles

  7. obrapop Avatar

    It just feels good. It’s weird. It’s temporarily relieving of something you can hardly tell is there.

    It’s a little like those chiropractors cracking necks and backs videos. Does nothing good, could maybe be bad, still kinda like it.

  8. royalxK Avatar

    Cracking knuckles pops gas bubbles that build in the fluid that moves between our joints. It does not cause arthritis and popping these bubbles (cracking knuckles) can relieve stiffness around joints because the fluid can then move better.