When I was younger I was told not to crack my knuckles because they would get bigger. When we workout/go to a yoga class we often twist our spine and hear that pop in our low back. There is that relief but it’s followed by that, “is that normal” thought? Well, lets investigate the reasons why our joints crack and if it’s of concern. “One theory is that the ligaments (tethers that hold the bones together) make these noises as they get tight rapidly when the joint is moving. In some instances, popping may be due to a tendon snapping over or around the joint.” For example, the popping in our elbow or knee or when we roll our neck. This kind of popping can be created at will and can only do harm if we repeat the action that causes the popping over and over and over, like a nervous twitch. If you find that there is a pose that an instructor is doing and it is causing the popping like leg lifts try to modify the pose by bending your knees. Another cause of popping is “that nitrogen bubbles in the fluid inside the joint are rapidly brought into or out of solution when the joint is manipulated, such as cracking the knuckles in the hand.” This usually occurs when we feel tight or stuck due to lack of movement in the joints and the crack feels good. This kind of joint release cannot be created at will and will only pop again when the joint has been immoble for some time. So there is no evidence that the snap crackle pop can lead to bigger knuckles or arthritis. However, it is not recommended to repeat an action over and over if you hear a pop.
