Download Cracking your knuckles give you arthritis. It also makes

Why do we Crack our Knuckles?
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 09:00
Cracking your knuckles give you arthritis. It also makes your fingers fatter.
Facts or fake?
Face of disgust. A tinge of irritation. The popping sounds drive my auntie up the wall.
“Can you stop cracking your knuckles? Next time you have arthritis, then you know!” The
source of irritation is clearly amplified in her voice.
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Why do we Crack our Knuckles?
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 09:00
I was quick to agree with her, telling my nephew to stop.
Actually, I am kind of telling a white lie. You know, for the greater good.
Contrary to popular belief, cracking your knuckles has not shown to be linked to arthritis,
osteoarthritis to be exact. The literature seems to suggest that it did not matter how long you
have been cracking your knuckles or how often you do it. Cracking of knuckles and
osteoarthritis seem to be independent of each other.
Quite amusingly, is a story of a doctor Donald Unger who did a little experiment of his own. He
decided to diligently crack his fingers of one hand regularly and left the other “un-cracked”. 60
years later, he did not develop any arthritis on either of his hands. True story.
But still, I felt the need to stop my nephew. Putting your finger joints in unusual or unnatural
stressful positions is clearly not a good idea. This might cause reduced hand strength from the
stretching of the muscle tendons and ligaments in the hand.
Also, localized edema might occur.
Surely nobody wants swelled up knuckles, do they?
Fact of the matter is that when you crack your knuckles, you are NOT cracking anything. The
sound comes from the gas that is dissolved in the joint capsule.
If cracking gives you that much relief, then why not grab bubble wrap?
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Why do we Crack our Knuckles?
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 09:00
Dr Joachim Low
A practising Chiropractor at Discover Chiropractic Clinic , he is also a member of The
Chiropractic Association of Singapore (TCAS), Dr Joachim Low enjoys interacting with people
whilst serving the public in pain management.
Although pain relief is important, he also believes in preventive care so as to maximise one's
function, structure and quality of life.
Visit www.discoverchiro.com.sg for more information.
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