Popping and cracking of muscle/joints

[rpgdemon]

Stiff joints that pop/crack a bunch, which aren't painful or anything, but are annoying. How does the NPF suggest dealing with them? Just stretch more? Or is there some other trick to it?

I mean, I'm not inflexible because of this, I can put my legs behind my head, bend my arm backwards, and other crazy contortions, but the cracking is really annoying/slightly worrisome.

[Krylo]

Amputation.

[Azisien]

Have you tried exercising? Like, putting on some muscle? I know some of my buddies have had bum shoulders all their lives and those are starting to mend a bit due to some really basic weight lifting.

[bluestarultor]

Have you tried exercising? Like, putting on some muscle? I know some of my buddies have had bum shoulders all their lives and those are starting to mend a bit due to some really basic weight lifting.

Muscle has nothing to do with it.


I've had a similar thing for as long as I can remember. I just accept that my joints crack. It's nothing to be worried about. It's just bubbles in your joint fluid popping due to decreased pressure. The gases are then reabsorbed into the joint fluid.

Here: http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/musculoskeletal/question437.htm

[Nikose Tyris]

Don't avoid it; use it as a weapon to frighten people. Begin screaming after a partciularly large crack, act like a bone snapped. Claim you have a rare disease.

[pochercoaster]

From the brief research I just did, flexibility actually contributes to joint popping. When you flex a joint slightly beyond its normal range of motion it's more likely to fill with the gas that escapes when it cracks.

I'm also a very bendy person and my joints pop and crack a lot- like Blues, I've just come to accept it.

However, you might want to watch which joints crack a lot, especially if you have stiffness- if it's your neck or spine, you might want to consider some strengthening exercises. Although the joint is what's making the sound, the ligaments around it may be working harder to support your greater range mobility. Link: http://www.spinegroup.com/Advice/NkCrk.html

That aside, arthritis can also cause cracking due to the cartilage around the joints being worn out.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

To be honest I wouldn't trust anything on a chiropracty website. Cause they crazy nutters.

[pochercoaster]

Edit: I didn't notice that was a chriopracty website. Whoops. But I saw that idea come up in a few other places.

Regardless, if there's stiffness some gentle exercise would probably help. If there isn't and you're not arthritic, then meh. Some people just have joints that pop a lot.

Here's a slightly more reliable source (along with Blues' link): http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/joint-cracking-osteoarthritis
How to keep your joints healthy: http://arthritis.webmd.com/caring-your-joints Again the only reason I link this is because you shouldn't be stiff...

[Azisien]

Muscle has nothing to do with it.

Right, I forgot. Muscle doesn't support joints and ligaments. How silly of me.

[Melfice]

Right, I forgot. Muscle doesn't support joints and ligaments. How silly of me.

Truth, but Blues IS right about the popping.
As for the stiff shoulder... that's where you come in, with the muscle building. Probably.

[rpgdemon]

I suppose stiffness is the wrong word for it. It's not as if I'm walking and all, "Ohhh mah achin' lumbago!", but rather if I'm sitting in the same position for too long, then stretch, my joints will pop/crack.

I'm pretty sure it's nothing to worry about, but I was just wondering if there's anything that can make the cracking go away.

If there is none, I shall take up the suggestion of freaking people out with it.

[Azisien]

Dice up like 4-5lbs of green olives and take daily baths in them. Replace every week or two as needed to avoid excess rot.

[Aldurin]

Change your diet so that you constantly fart loud enough that you don't hear the cracks and pops.

If you still feel them then I recommend abandoning all fiber and tripling your cheese intake. You'll be so busy feeling "other" pain that you won't notice it.

[Torque]

Don't avoid it; use it as a weapon to frighten people. Begin screaming after a partciularly large crack, act like a bone snapped. Claim you have a rare disease.

My only regret... is that I have..... Boneitis! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5WT3U0T_BQ)

[pochercoaster]

I'm pretty sure it's nothing to worry about, but I was just wondering if there's anything that can make the cracking go away.


Not sitting for long periods of time? >_> Seriously, though, it's nothing to worry about. It's good for grossing people out, though.

[Premmy]

I'm disappointed that this thread isn't about popping and locking

[Sun-Wukong]

I've always enjoyed popping my knuckles, so I don't really see the issue. Same for my neck and back.