Why does it feel good to crack my joints?

danielpalos said:

i need to stretch to keep from "petrifying".

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Nalu said:

I crack pretty much every joint I can: Fingers, toes, neck, back, ankles, knees. Sometimes I can get my hips. My shoulders, elbows, and sternum are infrequent and involuntary, but I enjoy it when they pop too.

I've read some research online, but I can't find a definitive answer as to why some people like joint cracking. It isn't the sound for me, although it could be for some people. It's a physical sensation. I've read that the release of gases in the synovial fluid is sort of like a muscle stretch and relaxes the tissue around the joint. I've read that some people experience an endorphin release. I'm curious because it's not a thoughtless habit for me. I intentionally crack myself several times a day to get a physical reward and relief. Does anyone have any ideas about it?

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swing_voter said:

I know a very pretty girl who cracks her knuckles. It's disconcerting.

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swing_voter said:

I know a very pretty girl who cracks her knuckles. It's disconcerting.

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HumblePi said:

It feels good because you're popping little air bubbles that accumulate in your joints. That's literally why you hear a 'pop'. It's like sticking a pin in a tiny balloon. Air is released and the joint is less encumbered.

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Nalu said:

Actually, if I understand what I've read properly, extending the joint allows a gas pocket to form. Then it collapses immediately causing the sound. So I'm not popping the bubble as much as I'm forming it so that it can pop itself.

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Nalu said:

I crack pretty much every joint I can: Fingers, toes, neck, back, ankles, knees. Sometimes I can get my hips. My shoulders, elbows, and sternum are infrequent and involuntary, but I enjoy it when they pop too.

I've read some research online, but I can't find a definitive answer as to why some people like joint cracking. It isn't the sound for me, although it could be for some people. It's a physical sensation. I've read that the release of gases in the synovial fluid is sort of like a muscle stretch and relaxes the tissue around the joint. I've read that some people experience an endorphin release. I'm curious because it's not a thoughtless habit for me. I intentionally crack myself several times a day to get a physical reward and relief. Does anyone have any ideas about it?

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thedimon said:

If you crack your neck you can get yourself a stroke.


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Nalu said:

Where did you hear that?

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thedimon said:

It was in the news a couple of months ago. A guy who liked to crack his neck got himself a stroke. It was explained in that article that when you do this, the artery in your neck might get too much pressure, which could result in smaller vessels in your brain bursting and bleeding.


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