This question came from someone who says they “pop” all the time, all by themselves. If you have a question for me please feel free to leave a comment, and I will be happy to post about the topic.
As with all of my answers this one has a caveat. The simple answer is no popping your knuckles or any joint is not bad for you. Here’s the caveat; anything to excess is not good. You should not be popping your knuckles, back or neck all the time. I’ve seen people who every 30 minutes or so will take their head and twist it “crackle”. This is probably not good, as every time you take your joints that far it puts stress on the joint capsule. Doing this too often can stretch out the ligaments and predispose you to injury. This is often seen in gymnasts. Too much flexibility can be a bad thing. Just like too little can be. Remember, there are three aspects to good exercising, strength, flexibility, and endurance. Keep them all in balance and life is good.
Popping your own joints can also cause injury, but more likely, you will just prolong your own recovery. Usually when a joint “locks up” movement will get it to release on it’s own. When it doesn’t, you can get pain. “Popping” your back on your own can relieve some of the pain temporarily but will often only “pop” the surrounding joints, leaving the “stuck” one “stuck.” A chiropractor isolates the “stuck” joint and corrects the issue. So while popping your own joints is not necessarily bad, you should seek a chiropractor for serious issues.
With the caveat out of the way, taking your joints through their full range of motion is good for them, and can actually reduce the chance of degeneration or arthritic changes. This doesn’t mean that if you pop your knuckles you won’t get arthritis, but the risk may be reduced. The old wives tale that popping your knuckles will give you arthritis is just that, a tale.
The popping is not perfectly understood the current thinking is that it is a cavitation. The pressure increases in the joint space causing the nitrogen or other gases to be “popped” from the liquid to gaseous form. It takes a refractory period before this can happen again. That’s why you can’t pop your knuckles immediately. For more information regarding what the pop does see my previous post on the topic.
Tags: Chiropractic, Chiropractor, knuckles, popping
May 24, 2008 at 11:33 pm |
[...] Is Popping Your Knuckles/Back Bad For You? [...]
June 20, 2008 at 7:59 am |
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Abigail!!
December 13, 2008 at 5:46 pm |
For a few days now I’ve popped my knuckles so much i can pop them without even touching my fingers now…that makes it a very bad habbit of mine and its very bad because I’m popping them constantly…not every other minute or so at least once every single minute and my fingers are starting to hurt sometimes…and now its very hard to restrain myself im trying not to do it…and I’m only 15 years old so that makes it even worse of a habit of mine…so i agree popping your knuckles isn’t bad every once in a while but don’t do it excessive to where you discover you can pop them without even touching your fingers…then you’re in trouble and you need to stop…
December 15, 2008 at 4:08 pm |
You’re right on popping joints every few minutes can damage them. I must add however there is more than one kind of pop. The most common pop is the nitrogen release. Some people can get a pop over and over without a rest. Those kinds of pops are usually a ligament or tendon snapping over a joint or bony prominence. Again, it’s probably not a good thing to do a lot, but it’s ok generally. There is also one other kind of pop, though, I’d probably describe it as a thunk. When a bone is out of place such as a dislocated shoulder or static subluxation you will often audibly hear the relocation. It is usually a deep thunk sound and you feel the huge movement of the bone going back into place. That’s not one you hear very often, and that’s a good thing.
January 13, 2009 at 6:48 am |
I dont really know if this is the right place to ask a question but, I will ask anyways. (Let me know where to go if I am wrong)
I have gained the habbit of ‘pooping’ my knuckles and arm and neck and hand …foot..back.. on and on and on and i really am not likeing it anymore, some times it hurts as a previous poster said and sometime they wont pop so i just end up with a feeling of like ‘ oh i have a scratch but i cant reach it thing’
SO, my question is, do you know of any way to relive the need to pop. i know its a habbit just like any other and you need to practice not doing it, but like i dont know soaking it hot water or sumthing like that? ( sorry i typed alot )
Something to relieve the itch to pop?
January 13, 2009 at 3:29 pm |
Stopping the popping, huh. Well, there are some things that you can try. If this is a nervous habit like biting your nails then one important thing to do is identify what’s causing your stress that you’re attempting to relieve with the popping. Once you identify the source of stress you can address it, and that will allow you to naturally reduce your popping.
To address the bad habit directly you can see a chiropractor and have them adjust every thing that they find that clinically “needs” to be adjusted then you will know subconsciously that you don’t “need” to pop, because they are already taken care of. You can also try behavior modification, such as replacing the bad habit with something good, using rewards, or taking up another habit. There are also negative reinforcement methods, but I don’t subscribe to those methods as readily. I’m not a psychologist, so beyond my advice I recommend you get some help, either through a friend or professionally, as these kinds of things are always easier to break with support.
January 13, 2009 at 10:17 pm |
Awesome Thanks, yeah its not so much a nervous but almost just like and itch kinda. when im doing anything or nothing. pop pop. i bite my nails cuz my hands get bored..is what i would say so im trying to stop all of these habbits. thanks for the help. Now are you the guy that runs this site? if so, very nice site thanks for putting it up, and if not well thanks for the help anyways.
January 13, 2009 at 11:26 pm |
Yes, this is my blog, and you’re welcome. I created it to answer questions and to inform the public. Thanks for your comments.
January 22, 2009 at 3:07 am |
So IM 21 years old i do yoga in the morning and my back will cracks a ton of times, and throught out the day if i bend down or move a certain way my back with crack. I have has chronic back pain for the past 6 months and the cracking/ popping does help,it usually intensifies the pain, does any one have solution for my problem
January 22, 2009 at 4:24 am |
Sara, I can confidently recommend seeing a chiropractor. You said the popping does help, but mentioned that it intensified the pain. I’m not sure where you pain is being generated. A good chiropractor should be able to locate the source of your pain with an examination, and provide recommendations to you as to what to do about it. If you are in Provo/Orem or Utah County in general give me a call and we’ll set up an appointment. But we will need further information to get an idea of what’s going on. You can get my contact information here.
February 16, 2009 at 7:52 am |
Hi, I’m 21 years old. I have been popping my back for 9 months or so. At the first, I did it once or twice a day. But slowly the number have increased. Now I do it 10 or 15 times a day. I try not to do it. But if I do not do it I feel really weird. I do not feel any pain, but I feel so tired. Pooping back gives temporary relieve from that tiredness. When I sleep at night I fell like I need to poo my back every single minute.
Is popping back bad? Does it cause any problem later on? What should I do?
February 16, 2009 at 3:34 pm |
Shaun, as mentioned earlier anything in excess can be bad for you. If you are having symptoms that are only receiving temporary relief from your popping you should see a professional, as you are probably not addressing the source of your symptoms.
February 17, 2009 at 1:45 am |
Hi, I know people above are asking you the same things that I am about to but I feel that mine may even be worse. I am constantly popping my fingers in every possible direction every single minute or more than once. They get tired very easily and all I have to do is push all my fingers in one direction and they will all pop in multiple different places. Even typing this my wrist is popping over and over. I also pop my elbows that are double jointed every two or three minutes. Then there’s my back that will pop with the slightest movements or just a breath of air. Then I believe my tailbone but that only pops about every thirty minutes when I turn or push my rear forward and lean back. My knees crack, pop, and make that gross sound like my elbows every time I move them no matter what the movement is. I pop my neck all the time but not at as bad as the others. My left big toe never stops popping and it hurts every time and my ankles are doing the same thing my knees do. I even pop my shoulders every hour along with my jaw. I am now actually getting really scared that this isn’t normal but I really can’t stop. Should I see a doctor or something? Thank you.
February 18, 2009 at 10:15 pm |
First let me give you my advice, Shannon, and then I’ll explain. Yes you should have yourself examined by a chiropractor, and probably get a second opinion as well. You should consider perhaps additionally working with a physical therapist or chiropractor who does physical/muscular rehab, or counselor as well.
It sounds like a concerning issue that you have. Every person is different and I have yet to see a patient that fits the textbook. That’s why I go by evidence rather than hearsay. I say that your situation is concerning not because of the evidence you’ve presented, but because you are concerned. If nothing else seeing a chiropractor will enable you to identify the situation and deal with it appropriately. Some people pop more than others, that doesn’t concern me. Popping while performing normal motions is not a big deal, but having pain when it happens can be. Pain is our body’s warning system. It tells us when something is wrong. Something can be wrong without pain, but if you are feeling pain then you’re body has identified it. The only pain you mentioned was in your big toe. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t something further that is wrong, but that is the only solid indication of a problem that you have given.
If you are popping all of the time on purpose, in other words applying over pressure or positioning, and can’t stop then you should look into methods of self control/addiction recovery. Most people have bad habits and habits can be very difficult to break, but it is possible with help.
If your joints are popping without any effort or positioning then you may need to address lifestyle issues that may be causing it such as strength, diet, flexibility, etc… However without major symptoms diagnoses are more difficult. You may need to have multiple tests and treatment trials. Of course it may also be obvious and easy in a single examination. If you are serious about discovery and change of this issue, then you should be prepared to do what it takes. Good luck to you. If you are in Utah, I look forward to seeing you in my office.
March 6, 2009 at 4:38 am |
Hey I’m 16 and I have problems with my joints all of my joints pop a lot I once even had to have physical therapy for my wrist, just because it hurt a lot I never really got a real diagnosis for it either, well my shoulders pop every morning with out fail my knees hurt a lot so I just have to bend them and then they pop, my elbows pop when ever I keep them bent for a while (that’s probably normal) but my ankles hurt all the time and when ever I rotate it it pops tons of times and it hurts and i dont know what do it’s the same with both of my wrists also … Do you think that this is normal or should I see a doctor….. I’m kind of avoiding going to doctor or physical therapy because I hate to have my parents spend that much money on me I already put them through a lot with my medical problems…. I would appriciate it a lot of you could help.
P.S. I’m doing all I can to live with it but I just need some answers
March 6, 2009 at 4:53 am |
Well, Moe Mary, it’s very difficult and illegal (in Utah anyway) to diagnose without an examination, so I don’t know that I can answer you specifically, but I hope this information can help. First I would track your symptoms. Make a little paper with each joint that pops on it. You cold even draw a stick figure. Then, when each joint pops put a tally mark at that joint. Do this for a day then you’ll be better able to tell how often it really does happen. It may be less than you think. Or more. Then write down all of your symptoms such as which joints hurt when they pop which ones feel better when they do. If your not able to do something due to the pain etc… With all of that information go and see a chiropractor. They will know muscles and joints better than any other type of primary care physician. However they may not adjust you. You may find out that you are hyper mobile rather than needing adjusting you may need strengthening in certain areas and ways to stabilize your joints.
Gymnasts and dancers run into this more than others. They have flexibility and endurance, but no strength training. So they injure them selves that way. The opposite of football players with endurance and strength, but low flexibility. They injure themselves differently. You need all three in balance.
So, get all of your symptoms together, track them and then get to a chiropractor to have them analyze it and examine you. You may be worried about your parents paying for you, but they would be worse off if you seriously injured yourself because you didn’t get checked out. If nothing else, talk with them about this let them make the decision.
If you’re in Utah, come see me. I’ll be happy to help.
March 27, 2009 at 10:09 pm |
I too am a knuckle popper to relieve pressure. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I usually pop my knuckles since they feel tight. A couple of nights ago I woke up and I popped my forefinger by pushing down on it, and it felt different…more of a “crunching” sound to it. It was sore that day, and worse the next day, and slightly swollen. If I try to bend it, it is painful down the back of my hand. I am wearing a finger/hand splint. Is it possible to sprain or break your finger by popping it?
March 27, 2009 at 11:07 pm |
Calgal, it is possible to break your finger by popping it, but chances are you’re having more serious problems that you already know about if that is going to happen. I’ve never heard of a generally healthy person breaking their own finger by popping it. As far as a sprain or strain goes that is possible all it takes is a sudden unguarded motion. Just like with your ankle if you were to land on it properly it would be fine. It’s that one time that you step wrong or on the pebble or what ever that your supporting structures buckle. This again is fairly odd to hear about in the fingers as they are much simpler with much less force going through them, but not impossible. I cannot diagnose you without a physical exam, and would recommend you get to your local chiropractor for a proper diagnosis and help.
March 31, 2009 at 3:10 pm |
Im 19, I have fibromyalgia so I have chronic pain, so when i do pop my neck,back,wrists(i know odd),knees,fingers,and knuckles…its relieving pain. I def. cant afford going to seek medical help, and I am suppose to find a massage therapist but again…money is tight. I have to pop all the listed above MULTIPLE times a day…I can’t actually say how many..but i know its too much. It runs in the famly to have a bad back..and knees. The wrist think is terrible though…if im not carefull with how much pressure i put on my wrists they will just give out in pain and this isn’t a great amount of weight either…and they pop out of place very easily and I have tried to do exercise to strengthen them but it doesn’t seem to do a lot. Also i can feel almost like void spaces in my wrist..it doesn’t feel right.
what would you recommend?
March 31, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
I can’t tell you what is wrong if anything with your wrists without an exam. And there is no evidence that you are popping too much. In fact if you are getting some pain relief from the popping then it may be a good thing. Fibromyalgia is a unique situation as well, treatment of that is probably best done on your own, as you may have discovered. Exercise, diet, sleep, etc… You should keep in touch with some provider regarding it as there is ongoing research that may yet find something to help your fibromyalgia.
The bigger question here is more nuanced. How do you take care of yourself if your finances are a problem? I’ll be happy to answer that to a certain extent, however it’s too much for just a reply here. Check back soon, I will be writing a full post on the topic.
May 11, 2009 at 7:37 am |
I constatly pop my back, neck, fingers, wrist, ankles, knees, and toes. I can’t help but do it over and over and over again. If I don’t pop them it will bother me a lot!!! I try really hard not pop them or even think about it but it’s nearly impossible…I haven’t always been like this, it just started happening a couple of weeks ago. It drives me crazy!!! I heard that it very very bad to do it alot..I’m only 18 and the thought of getting older scares me because I don’t want my joints to be hurting.. So what should I do?????
May 11, 2009 at 2:41 pm |
Mona,
The first thing to do in your situation is to find out how bad it is. Try tracking how often you do pop your joints. Keep a journal on you for a week and track each time you pop something and what it is you pop. Often when people say they are doing it constantly it turns out less than they actually think. If it is only once or twice a day or something then I wouldn’t worry too much about it, but if you are still concerned after tracking it for a week take that journal to a chiropractor who can do a thorough exam and determine if there is a serious problem or if perhaps there is something else that needs to be addressed which is why you may have the urge to adjust yourself all the time. If it is they can address it and once corrected you should be able to stop. If there is no physiological need to resolve then we’d have to conclude that this is a nervous twitch you’ve developed. It’s not a big deal everyone develops bad nervous habits. Some people bite their nails, some drum their fingers, some do much worse. We’d have to address this as we would any addiction. I would recommend some professional help as councilors/psychologists can be a great help in addressing addictions. You may be able to solve it on your own, but I don’t know your full situation.
May 11, 2009 at 4:00 pm |
Hello,
I just came across this site. I constantly pop my big toe. I have been popping it for years. I feel like I have to pop it all day long and I mean it sounds like loud hard pops. It’s almost like I think I have to pop it and get relief. This weekend I pop it so much that it is kinda sore now. I have tried to use will power and go without but thats almost impossible. Its the same as someone constantly popping their knuckles.
Help, any suggestions
May 11, 2009 at 4:22 pm |
Pittman,
Your situation is similar to many of the replies I’ve gotten to this post. First, begin by reading the replies I’ve given. If you are popping any joint so much that you are causing pain then you should seek help go to a chiropractor who can do a thorough exam and determine if there is a physiological problem or if perhaps there is something else that needs to be addressed which is why you may have the urge to adjust yourself all the time. If it is they can address it and once corrected you should be able to stop. If there is no physiological need to resolve then we’d have to conclude that this is a nervous twitch you’ve developed which has turned into a physiological problem. Everyone develops bad nervous habits, but it seems that yours has consequences that are causing physical harm. Some people bite their nails so much they bleed. You should address this as any addiction. I would recommend some professional help as councilors/psychologists can be a great help in addressing addictions.
June 12, 2009 at 9:33 pm |
Hi,
I’ve seen a lot of people ask you about self popping. My girlfriend will stand on my back and walk up and down from my shoulders to lower back. Is this any worse than doing it myself? I am 6′3, 185lbs and she is 5′7, 145lbs.
June 15, 2009 at 9:56 am |
Simply yes it is worse.
When you “pop” by inducing a normal range of motion, such as twisting your back or taking your knuckles through a full range of motion when they are restricted, you are doing a normal motion. Putting extra force through your joints in a way that your body does not normally do should be done by someone with training. Having said this, massage therapists will see what I refer to as passive manipulation. That is that your joint repositions or “pops” when the muscles release or with the pressure of the massage. These types of things are not a major risk, but the therapist is trained and experienced in these things.
If you don’t have training you are not prepared for adverse situations or to know what not to do. You can also get popping and cracking from punching someone. It’s a difference in approach, but when you’re not trained you may not know if what you’re doing is healing or hurting. Because of the very safe nature of chiropractic most times even untrained individuals will not cause problems, but the possibility exists. There have been serious injuries from people trying to practice chiropractic without a license.
To address your question of walking on someones back without training in appropriate techniques. You are not likely to cause an injury, but it is possible, and I would not recommend it.