What happens to your knuckles when you crack them?

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massage

This is one of the most common questions I get as a massage therapist. The simple explanation is that when you stretch out your joints you are releasing gas that is part of the synovial fluid in your joints - this gas forms a bubble that release and goes pop, this in known as a cavitation. For a visual of what this looks like I recommend this short video put together from Vox.

The question that follows this is usually, is it okay to crack your knuckles? The consensus is that there is no long term harm to cracking your joints, these pops may even trigger the body to release endorphins' which is why cracking your joints is such a satisfying feeling. 

So, is it okay to CRACK your knuckles?

Most of the evidence for this is still anecdotal, but one interesting study included a man named Donald Unger, who cracked the knuckles of his left hand at least twice a day for 50 years. When they imaged his hands and compared the effects that this had on the joints on his left hand compared to the right hand. The conclusion was there was no difference in arthritic development in either hand. This is only one long term case study but it does indicated that there may not be any long term damage from cracking your knuckles.

The RMT Education Project - 'Simplifying The Complex'

 

The RMT Education Project is an open access resource committed to elevating the profession by improving the communication of research findings to massage therapists. If you are looking for a somewhere to start, check out the ‘Curated Resource’ page

Open Access Resources
• Curated Resources for Massage Therapists
• Open Access Research Papers
• Resources for Patients

Research Review
• Guide to Reading Massage Therapy Research
• A New Muscle: The Tensor Vastus Intermedius
• Pleasure Receptors Response to Massage
• Does Fascia Release
• Evidence Informed Massage 
• Myofascial Trigger-Points