2024-05-11 03:48:08
Pop! Tduduk!
Cracking your knuckles can evoke a variety of reactions, from creepy discomfort to pure satisfaction.
Despite the stereotype that it’s a bad habit that’s ‘bad for your joints,’ understanding the mechanisms behind this behavior can help you understand why joint cracking can make you feel better.
▼Why does joint cracking satisfy people’s needs so much?▼
The ‘tap’ sound you make when you break your fingers is not actually made by bones hitting each other. The joint capsule (the sac surrounding the joint) contains arthritis-what-is-this-disease-is-it-hereditary-and-how-is-it-diagnosed-2024-04-10-125017/” title=”Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. What is this disease, is it hereditary and how is it diagnosed?
– 2024-04-10 12:50:17″>synovial fluid (synovial fluid), which is mainly composed of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. When a joint is stretched to the limit of its range of motion, the space containing the synovial fluid between the joints increases, the pressure decreases, and gas dissolved in the synovial fluid suddenly escapes as bubbles. It has been scientifically revealed that the fine bubbles created in this way immediately burst and produce a sound of up to 83 dB (decibel).
▼Why does the mere appearance and disappearance of air bubbles give people satisfaction?▼
Roger Melikian, a spinal neurology and orthopedic specialist based in California, explains that bending the finger joints can actually provide a sense of physical release and a temporary increase in joint mobility.
“It really feels good,” he said. “One common theory is that sudden movements stimulate the nerve endings (ends of nerve fibers) around the joint, which can reduce pain and release endorphins, but that hasn’t been proven yet.” He said in a recent interview with the science magazine National Geographic.
However, this pleasure involves not only physiological but also psychological aspects. The act of bending a joint to make a sound sometimes becomes a habit that is strengthened over time, and in some cases, it causes a placebo effect. Some people say that just hearing the sound of their joints cracking gives them pleasure.
▼Is bending your joints bad for your body?▼
The most common myth is that ‘if you frequently break your finger joints, you have a high risk of developing arthritis.’ However, according to studies since 1998, Melikian pointed out that there was no significant correlation between finger joint cracking and the presence of finger deforming arthritis. He added, “According to some studies, if you habitually crack your finger joints, there is a risk that your hands will swell more often and your grip strength will decrease.”
However, the inference of reduced grip strength is not conclusive. A study published in the academic journal ‘Hand Surgery & Rehabilitation’ in 2017 compared 35 people with the habit of cracking their finger joints (more than 5 times a day) with 35 people without the habit. Although the people had thicker finger joint cartilage than the control group, it did not negatively affect their grip strength.
However, this does not mean that all joint bending is without problems. Large joints such as the neck and spine must be handled with care. These areas are complex and, if handled incorrectly, are prone to injuries and side effects such as headaches, numbness in the limbs, and dizziness. In severe cases, cervical manipulation may be associated with arterial dissection or rupture of the internal artery wall, leading to stroke.
You should also avoid twisting your finger joints. Fingers are designed to bend. Twisting movements are abnormal. If you twist too hard and sprain, it can put a strain on the ligaments, damage the joints, and cause inflammation.
Most studies show that knuckle-cracking has no long-term negative effects. However, public concerns that it may lead to ‘arthritis’ are firmly established.
When asked whether he cracked his finger joints (to relieve stress, etc.), Mr. Melikian, a spinal neurologist and orthopedic surgeon, answered that he did not. This is because hands are very important to surgeons.
Park Hae-sik, Donga.com reporter [email protected]
2024-05-11 03:48:08