Any other knuckle-crackers out there?

[Spooner]

I've been a chronic knuckle-cracker for years and years. I've heard all sorts of arguments back and forth about whether it is bad for you or not.

Does anyone have any evidence or experience one way or another? I've been doing it for quite a while and I'd imagine that it would be a hard habit to break (I do it without even thinking about it anymore) but if it's going to hinder me from playing when I'm an old man I need to stop it.

Any info from fellow musicians out there would be much appreciated.

[Birdman]

Good question I also crack my knuckles sometimes and think of this question.

-Birdman

[AltoRuth]

I've been a chronic knuckle-cracker for years and years. I've heard all sorts of arguments back and forth about whether it is bad for you or not.

Does anyone have any evidence or experience one way or another? I've been doing it for quite a while and I'd imagine that it would be a hard habit to break (I do it without even thinking about it anymore) but if it's going to hinder me from playing when I'm an old man I need to stop it.

Any info from fellow musicians out there would be much appreciated.

I think it could be a major health hazard. If, for example, you were sitting next to me, I might have to kill you. :D

[hakukani]

The old wives tale of 'you'll get arthritis from knuckle-cracking' is of the same variety of crossed eyes 'your eyes will say that way if you keep doing it'.

While an obnoxious habit (from a knuckle cracker of 40+ years), it is relatively harmless.

[nobhead1]

Is knuckle cracking also associated with those persons with acutely sloping foreheads and who also drag the backs of their hands along the floor when walking?

[Spooner]

Hey now!

I resemble that remark ;)

[Reedsplinter]

The old wives tale of 'you'll get arthritis from knuckle-cracking' is of the same variety of crossed eyes 'your eyes will say that way if you keep doing it'.

While an obnoxious habit (from a knuckle cracker of 40+ years), it is relatively harmless.

Hak's right: it's a debunked myth. I used to hear that it would make your knuckles get bigger and bigger and bigger -- or was it that it would make hair grow on the palms of your hands? Well, no matter: no truth to any of that. So go on and do what you gotta (in the privacy of your own home!:shock: ).

[Reedsplinter]

Cracking your TOES, now: that WILL make hair grow on the palms of your hands.

[Agent27]

I've seen studies that say it's harmless.

Still, I'm glad I got out of the habit of doing it. It wasn't a conscious decision, I just randomly stopped cracking my knuckles.

[thejoyofsax]

Some say it is gas escaping the joint, others say it is your synovial (joint) fluid turning from a liquid to a gas state and back with each crack, and still yet I had an anatomy professor claim that regular joint cracking was small bits of hyaline cartilage flying every which way.

The bottom line has pretty much been stated - it's no big deal no matter what causes the noise. Arthritis, whether osteo or rheumatoid in nature, has different, specific causes.

[spartacus]

Is knuckle cracking also associated with those persons with acutely sloping foreheads and who also drag the backs of their hands along the floor when walking?

Did my wife send you pictures of me?

Knuckle cracking will make your fingers fall off at about age 67. You can be walking down the street minding your own business and their goes another finger by the wayside. Very disconcerting if you like to lick your fingers after eating KFC.

So stop it.

[DrSaxy]

I'm a natural knuckle-cracker. I not only crack my knuckles, they crack all the time whether I'm in control or not. I've seen no long-term problems (except for the arthritis that causes the cracking), and my playing does not suffer. What I know of cracking is it's a minute amount of CO2 escaping from your joint. The CO2 probably causes pressure in your joint, which is most likely makes you WANT to crack them.

[whaler]

Cracking your TOES, now: that WILL make hair grow on the palms of your hands.
Isn't that what Popeye Doyle asks the guy in the French Connection when he is interrogating him?

[spartacus]

Cracking your TOES, now: that WILL make hair grow on the palms of your hands.

I don't crack my toes and I have....

nevermind

[bandmommy]

If I crack your toes will I get......

nevermind

[John_Dikeman]

I never used to crack any part of my body, but my wrist cracks now that I've developed a lovely little cyst. Cracking it does seem to relieve some strain while playing.