I used to be a chronic cracker, but then i stopped because i noticed my joints were actually becoming less flexible, and being sore in the morning. I still do it when im nervous though.

I crack my crack all the time. Oh wait it's called something else.

(Drumroll... tadum!)

Anyway, I remember reading somewhere a researcher did his own (pretty unscientific) test - he cracked the joints on one hand only. After a few decades, he didn't notice any difference between either hand. *shrug*

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It doesn't have any negative effects. The rumor that it causes problems got started because some people tend to crack the joints which bother them the most. There is sometimes a correlation, but there is never any causation... unless you do something stupid like bend a finger too far back when cracking it.

I crack my knuckles/toes as just a habit. But I crack my back constantly, always feels better after I do. Before I had to get on the floor and do that little yoga arch thing to crack it, but now I can pretty much do it on command while sitting/standing.

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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]

Man this forums shows me how ignorant people can be. Oh, "Excercise stunts growth.", "Cracking knuckles causes arthritis.", "Steve Irwin wears long pants."

Come on people, get your heads out of the clouds.

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quote:

Originally posted by RenderedDream ...when i started it hurted but now i can do it easily...

Err... pardon my ignorance, but why would you continue to do something that hurt you when you first did it??

Anywho, I can crack my ankle like nobody's business. It's weird, whenever I sit in the sam position for a few minutes, when I move my ankle it lets out this god-almighty crack. It doesn't hurt (in fact it's quite relieving lol) but people can hear it crack in the next room.

:P

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quote:

Originally posted by Streakfury Err... pardon my ignorance, but why would you continue to do something that hurt you when you first did it?? Anywho, I can crack my ankle like nobody's business. It's weird, whenever I sit in the sam position for a few minutes, when I move my ankle it lets out this god-almighty crack. It doesn't hurt (in fact it's quite relieving lol) but people can hear it crack in the next room. :P

No pain, No gain i guess, but in this case I too am confused abt the gain bit

I can identfy with ur loud cracking. i usually have to crack my sternum( chest ), after I've been sitting down too long, like after a long lecture. When i do it tho, everbody turns around and is like WTF?!? cos it sounds like i broke something,:P

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i crack my knuckles, wrists, elbows, neck, hips & knees and i can do my back when i lean against the back of a chair aswell.

Most ppl get freaked out over the neck and elbows tho

And being a nurse, it doesnt do any damage