Why do you crack your fingers? All joints in the human body are joined by a type of capsule that contains synovial fluid and gases. This capsule is responsible for lubricating all the joints, allowing them to function normally in each movement. In this way, they avoid the production of friction and wear on the bones.
Likewise, when the fingers snap, there is an increase in the space between the bony pieces of all the joints. In this way, the capsule with synovial fluid and gases dilates, reducing the solubility and pressure of the gases inside the capsule itself. Thus, an explosion of the gas pockets inside the capsule with synovial fluid occurs, generating the sound of crunching fingers. We point out that the gases inside the capsule disappear for a few minutes, which is why it is so complicated to crack the joints twice in a row. When you crunch your fingers, the surrounding tendons and nerves change their position and are sometimes forced by the effect of the pressure exerted by one hand on the other.
Is cracking your fingers bad or not?
Is it good to crack your fingers? The answer is no, it is not good if it is repeated frequently . Snapping your fingers has a series of negative effects, such as: joint wear and injury to tendon and ligament structures . Therefore, cracking the bones is detrimental to joint health as long as it occurs very frequently. Although, in some cases, it can even be a good thing that the joints of the fingers and other parts of the body creak. This is possible if you go to a professional who helps you improve mobility body and relieve pressure. Why is it good in this context? The professional will know how to reposition your body so that it can function normally again and without any pain. In addition, this professional will obtain enough information to determine if there is inflammation in the part of the body that does not stop creaking, helping you find the best solution. That is why, except when you go to a health and human body professional, you should avoid the practice of frequent finger crunching so as not to risk joint problems in the future.
Does cracking your fingers cause arthritis?
As Sanitas points out (1) , there is no scientific evidence that crunching the fingers causes arthritis. In this sense, the health risks are minimal, but it can trigger other problems such as the appearance of injuries to the structures of the ligaments and tendons or significant wear of the joints. In any case, if you feel the need to crack your fingers to feel satisfaction or relief from the snap, it is probably due to some previous problem. This desire to force the position of the joints of the fingers and toes can be avoided or reduced by seeing a specialist.
Obviously, as we have mentioned, it is bad to crack your fingers, since it is also a practice that can be related to a situation of anxiety or nerves, and even to a tic of nervous origin. If this is your case, you should take action, since the feeling of well-being when you crack your knuckles is common, but it is essential to learn to channel and control anxiety.
To take control in situations of nerves or anxiety and avoid falling into the practice of finger crunching, you can resort to other types of healthy relief. we offer you different relaxation exercises to combat anxiety that will help you regain the calm you need, they will also relieve the tension you feel in any circumstance without the need to force the position of the fingers with the consequent snapping. Give up the habit of cracking your fingers so as not to put your joint , ligament and tendon health at risk in the long term!
