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Jay Sane New user NY, USA 16 Posts |
I have a bad habit. I crack my knuckles too much. In fact I used to crack my shoulders, elbows, neck, back, toes, ankles, fingers, etc, etc, alot. Started in school when I saw a kid who could crack his knuckles anytime and I couldn't, so I started working on it, and well got too good at it, lol.
While I have toned down this bad habit, I still do it. Several times a day for example. I just feel like my knuckles need to be cracked. I am using will power to overcome this, but sometimes some joints get stiff and just need a good cracking, can't really help it. I find after several hours of knuckle cuts or coin rolls, etc., my knuckles feel sore and I have to give them a break. I do not think I will ever fully overcome this habit. I have made some progress. I used to crack my back 4-5 times a day, now I almost never do. But for some reason I do not think I will make much progress with my fingers. My question is, does anyone else do this too? Have any of you overcome your knuckle cracking habits? Has anyones technical abilities suffered from their habit? I know the years of cracking must have had some "damaging" effects, does anyone know if these effects can be reversed? FYI I am 20 yrs old, and started cracking probly when I was 10-11, got really bad later in my teens, and slowly toned down in my late teen years. Any and all comments would be appreciated, thanks
Justin Sane
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Gr8neSS New user Las Vegas 53 Posts |
I have the same bad habit. I crack my knuckles and neck several times a day and while I used to be worried about negative affects, I watched a TV special that said it was just an old wives' tale that cracking joints causes any harmful side effects. To confirm this, I talked to a doctor and he confirmed this. But I'm still not so sure. I haven't been able to break the habit for years but I noticed if you go for a few days, it becomes difficult to crack your knuckles. So I think if you could go a couple weeks you would not be able to crack your knuckles anymore.
Brandon |
Jay Sane New user NY, USA 16 Posts |
That is definitely good news. I suppose at the very least it must stiffen your joints temporarily, that is for the duration of the habit, hence making you feel like they need to be cracked. This was the case with my back, and that stiff feeling did go away when I forced myself to not crack my back anymore. So maybe there are minor effects that are temporary?
Can anyone else here confirm that negative effects from cracking joints is an "old wives' tale"? Another source would sure increase my comfort. In fact, now that I think of it, it is really a shame, that we, especially those of us practicing sleight of hand, do not know more about our hands! It might be in our best interests to study the hand, the various muscles, joints, and all medical/physical properties. It only makes sense that we should have an advanced understanding of our hands as they are SOOOOO important in what we do! I wonder are there any published works on the, hmmm what to call it, "physiological structure" of the hand as it specifically relates to sleight of hand and magicians?
Justin Sane
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bigchuck Veteran user Nothing clever has ever been said in my 400 Posts |
I think that too much of anything can't be without its side effects -- IMO I don't imagine that the occasional knuckle crack will have any negative effects , but constant cracking can't be all good --
"To crack or not to crack -- that is the question..."
"The computer can't tell you the emotional story. It can give you the exact
mathematical design, but what's missing is the eyebrows. - Frank Zappa" |
Peedlkyle New user I live in my house 98 Posts |
I saw once on Bill NYe (go ahead and laugh ) that the sound you are hearing is from Nitrogen bubbles that form in your muscles as a bi-product of constant of hightened exertion. Cracking is popping these. They said that there was absolutely no harm in doing so, although I would still consider it a bad habit. Then again, who doesn't have at least one bad habit? This one isn't even one of the worse ones.
:kewl:
On the other hand, you have different fingers.
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Jeff Chesnut New user Ada, Michigan 56 Posts |
Bill Nye was correct. The sound from cracking knuckles IS nitrogen coming out of suspension. It's the same process as carbon dioxide coming out of suspension when you open a carbonated beverage. When you increase the volume of your joint space, nitrogen comes out of suspension and you hear the "pop."
Whether or not this is harmful is controversial even among health care professionals. I think most physicians feel that it is not harmful. Some will even tell you that it is helpful in that it increases your range of motion. The biggest problem is that it is somewhat addictive. If you do it frequently, as I do, your joints begin to feel stiff when you don't crack them. There are also a few reports of damage to the carotid arteries (carotid dissection) following neck cracking. As far as I know, these have only been reported following manipulative therapy such as a chiropracter or Osteopathic physician might perform. I've not heard of this happening with people cracking their own necks. Even those reports of dissection with manipulative therapy may be apocryphal. I've never bothered to look them up. As an Osteopathic physician, we practiced manipulation on each other during medical school, so I've had pretty much every joint in my body cracked at one time or another. That was 16 years ago and I am now a habitual finger, back, neck, knee, and toe cracker. I don't know that it has hurt me, but I do wish I had never started. |
Jay Sane New user NY, USA 16 Posts |
Thank you all for your input here! My main concern was that 10 years from now I don't want to find myself not able to handle cards well due to knuckle pain lol.
But if correct, than the increase in range of motion could actually be helpful! BTW, I am working on developing, basically, a "Yoga For The Hands" workout routine. Does anyone know of any materials published along these lines? I would like to build up EVERY muscle in my hand and make them as flexible as humanly possible!!! (Funny I cant get myself to spend ten minutes doing pushups or situps, but would have no problem spending hours working on my hands, go figure lol)
Justin Sane
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WilliamWHolcomb Special user Twinsburg, Ohio 533 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-12-15 13:47, Peedlkyle wrote: I can't tell you how relieved I am to learn that I'm not alone when I watch Bill Nye "The Science Guy". Now would anyone fess up to watching Blue's Clues? Gotta go...mail's here!
William Holcomb
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hitmouse Loyal user 249 Posts |
The literature is very limited on the effects of knuckle cracking. The abstract below is from 1990, and in fact since 1966 only 7 references are listed in the medical literature database.
These guys conclude that knuckle cracking might be bad for you, but that is not quantified, and possibly not a valid conclusion. It is fair to say that it is still a controversial point. I am unable to find anything at all on hand injury or RSI in magicians. From Medline: Authors Castellanos J. Axelrod D. Institution Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48235. Title Effect of habitual knuckle cracking on hand function. [see comments.]. Comments Comment in: Ann Rheum Dis. 1990 Nov;49(11):957 ; 2256753 Source Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 49(5):308-9, 1990 May. Abstract The relation of habitual knuckle cracking to osteoarthrosis with functional impairment of the hand has long been considered an old wives' tale without experimental support. The mechanical sequelae of knuckle cracking have been shown to produce the rapid release of energy in the form of sudden vibratory energy, much like the forces responsible for the destruction of hydraulic blades and ship propellers. To investigate the relation of habitual knuckle cracking to hand function 300 consecutive patients aged 45 years or above and without evidence of neuromuscular, inflammatory, or malignant disease were evaluated for the presence of habitual knuckle cracking and hand arthritis/dysfunction. The age and sex distribution of the patients (74 habitual knuckle crackers, 226 non-knuckle crackers) was similar. There was no increased preponderance of arthritis of the hand in either group; however, habitual knuckle crackers were more likely to have hand swelling and lower grip strength. Habitual knuckle cracking was associated with manual labour, biting of the nails, smoking, and drinking alcohol. It is concluded that habitual knuckle cracking results in functional hand impairment. |
Jay Sane New user NY, USA 16 Posts |
But it does sound as if most of the negative effects are minor, and easily overcome by the hours of endless practice which strengthens our hands.
I will come out of the closest. I HAVE WATCHED BLUES CLUES! And I am proud of it! I am 20 years old and not ashamed! "lets get ready for blues clues..."
Justin Sane
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Peedlkyle New user I live in my house 98 Posts |
I've watched Blue's Clues. You would be very surprised what's on (or rather the lack therof) 10:00 in the morning during the summer. I've had to resort to many a "Nick Jr." shows. The only kid show I watch for entertainment is Spongebob Squarepants. So funny! I have to say (and this may be even more sad) that I spend most of my TV watching time on TechTV or CSI. That's about it.
The internet's here now, who needs TV?
On the other hand, you have different fingers.
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