Is cracking fingers or any other body part (ex: neck) not healthy? If yes, why?
535566
today whe had a health fair and this guy was talking about cracking your back/neck and every time you do it your spine weakends and you could be come a quadriplegic that is where you only can move your head or a tetraplegia but i have no idea about feet and hands
618766
Is this a question or an educational lecture? In 1983 my doctor told me that cracking your joints is just the sound of air bubbles being released and causes no harm (much to my mother's disgust - she was hoping the doctor would tell me to stop!) I don't know if this is true but I was grateful at the time.
434781
Most times, this problem is hereditary. However, it is not considered a curable condition. There are many creams and the like out there on the market for it. Still, it is not resolved. No matter what, use warm water when washing yourself. When you are out in public, use the mildest baby wipes for your hands and face. What you are trying to avoid is unnecessary washing which causes undue irritation to the skin, this will help keep your hands from chafing. Use those white cosmetic gloves, try and buy about 6 pairs of them. Then you can keep them washed on a regular basis. I use Eucerin cream on my hands, but I must wet them slightly and then apply this cream. It takes a while but you will see results. The only reason that atopic dermatitis would lead to worst conditions is, that you have not followed the guidelines that I previously mentioned. In other words, you would leave your hands available to crack and bleed, then any type of disease that could enter a cracked skin would use this as an avenue to make you sick. Take my advice, but most of all, seek recommendations from people you trust, then get to a dermatologist that will take good care of you. Read Psalm 35 to (Plead My Cause) - It is long and it is especially worthwhile. Then read Psalm 4 for (Protection and Safety) against the unknowns in this world. God will hear and help you. Peace and God Bless.
233628
Getting arthritis from popping your knuckles is just an old myth that most people still buy into.  There are no adverse effects ... other than possibly annoying people around you who hear you doing it.
933130
Nope. It's simply caused by the release of air pockets between the joints. It's a myth that it causes arthritis. It may make your knuckles a little larger (mine have), but it won't cause any major health problems.
404241
It's like cracking your knuckles. It's cardon dioxide released from your joints. Totally harmless.
1147336
GOOD FOR THE BRAIN... BAD FOR THE FINGERS... \nLOLZ :) J/K .. YOU'RE OK'D.
474189
I broke my pinky finger a few years back.  My finger is crooked now, sort of like a bump on top.  Goes with breaking bones, I guess.
766937
I think the biggest thing is it bothers other people.  Health wise, I don't know.  I've been cracking my knuckles for as long as I can remember, and I've never had any problems.
399828
Very very difficult. I myself have been cracking my knuckles since 12 maybe? I'm 18 now. Regular cracking has not resulted in any side effects. I'm glad for that.\nHow to quit? I have made several attempts. Some of them were successful to a certain degree. My best strategy:\nThe first early morning pop is the most important. If you can overwhelm the urge to pop your knuckles in the morning then they probably won't bother you for the rest of the day. The first pop is the most critical pop. I did some research about it on Wikipedia and I found a website that I became member of a couple of months ago. (See sources below) Jointcrackers is full of people explaining their joint cracking habit. I myself like popping my fingers and my toes. Sometimes I pop my knees, elbows, hips and back too. These however aren't popped as easily.\nI wish you luck!
11790
I was told that a habit takes 14 days to break!  My sister used to do it, she bought this awful tasting stuff that you put on like nail polish and it worked, I'm not sure where to get it though!  You could try just applying a very strong hand cream all the time it will tasted bad and after 2 weeks of concentrating on not biting maybe it will be broken!  I hope this helps!  Also it may be a nervous thing!  Are you Stressed?  That could be it!
355235
It is an impulsive reaction to apply pressure. Whether it is by squeezing your finger with your other hand to easy the nerve endings or to suck on it to ease the pain. I have never seen anyone not smash their fingers or toes and not want to apply pressure to the area.
1045034
It actually is good for you.  Studies show that it does not cause arthritis.  All you are doing is releasing air within the joint capsule.  I am an OT who has some exerience with hand injuries and there is nothing medically against it.
197987
Just like when you crack your knuckles, its the gasses being released in the joint.  \n\nThe "cracking" won't cause arthritis unless if you continue to "crack" it (the vertebrae) out of line.  \n\nWhat's most likely happening is you have a vertebrae out of line and locked, it becomes uncomfortable or stiff.  In order to get the release, you crack the neck on your own. \n\n When it's not done right, by a professional, you end up cracking the wrong vertebrae (one that is loose because it's compensating for the locked one).  It eases the tension temporarily, but makes the problem worse in the long run.\n\nIf the locked vertebrae isn't aligned correctly, it will lead to arthritis (sort of like when your tires wear out when the car is out of alignment).  \n\nIt's not the cracking that's harmful, but cracking the wrong vertebrae or not aligning it correctly.  Only a professional with proper training will know how it needs to be corrected since the vertebrae can misalign many different ways.
158222
It is an old wives tale that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritus, not so. What makes the cracking sound is the space inbetween the joints and when they are manipulated for the crack, they will produce the poping sound. But as for doing your back or neck, those are some pretty important things to your body and if you make a mistake and do it wrong, you could end up with damage from minor stuff to something major enough to need surgery or even cause you to end up in a wheel chair. I went to school with a girl who would crack her back and then her neck and once when she was at home and did it, soemthing did not move as it should have and she has been in a wheel chair ever since.
981494
Cracks at the side of the mouth aren't all that normal, they can be a sign of anaemia, particularly if they look like this;\nhttp://www.dentistry.leeds.ac.uk/biochem/lectures/nutrition/Intro/angular.jpg
47320
My orthopedic doctor told me that it does not cause arthritis, that it is just removing air pockets. (as stated below). However, speaking as a 50 year old knuckle cracker, I have to surmise that the pain in my fingers isn't just *air pockets*.  I suspect that it is for the most part harmless, but over time, does cause some damage.