Q&A for How to Crack Your Knuckles

Most people crack their knuckles either because they created a bad habit that they're now used to, their muscles are tight and tense, or their joints are inflamed. People with inflammation issues generally need to stretch, gain more strength, and eat better, because that will lower inflammation in the joints. Plus, you'll be healthier if you have a healthy gut.

It sometimes can take time and practice to crack your fingers or any part of your body without it hurting. It tends to hurt more if you tighten the joints and muscles around the part you are cracking. Resolve this problem by holding your hand in the positions as stated above in the article and then wait until you are relaxed before applying pressure or force.

This is probably due to the amount of pressure you are putting on the joint. If you are pushing this hard and still have no result, then you will probably want to stop and reconsider if cracking your knuckles is worth the amount of force it is taking in your particular situation.

It takes time, get into the habit of trying to pop your knuckles in the morning right after you wake up. Your hands will be stiff and therefore will have a better chance of cracking. Once you crack them once it will get easier every time you try.

Yes. There are many examples of people cracking their knuckles to keep from biting their nails, but it's different for everyone.

Wrist bones will naturally crack because of the way they are constructed. Similarly, finger bones typically won't crack because of their construction. If you want to crack your knuckles, you have to keep practicing until you can do it.

Yes, that's normal. Your wrists might crack if you do the same.

You cannot crack your knuckles because there isn't enough fluid around them to make a bubble. Lots of people can't crack their knuckles.

There aren't really any proven dangers of popping your knuckles. A benefit of popping your knuckles is that you release tension in your hands and fingers when you do it.

Go to the hospital. If you can't crack them just stop, there's not enough fluid around them to make a bubble. Lots of people can't crack their knuckles.

It is supposedly bad for you to crack any joint in your body because it was believed that cracking them cased the cartilage (essentially the pillow for the bones) to rub against each other so they would become weaker, causing arthritis to occur earlier. However, this has been disproved and the cracking sound is caused by the sudden release of gas from between the two bones.

You probably popped it too hard and strained a ligament. Stop doing that.

Pull outward on it or bend it forward. Don't overdo it if it doesn't crack.

No, it is not. There is a common myth about how you will get arthritis if you do so, but this is not true.

If you are new to cracking your knuckles then it is a common problem sometimes. It will cease after few tries. But, if it pains every time you crack then it could be arthritis. See a doctor if you feel very uncomfortable.

It is because you are getting all of the compressed air bubbles out of your knuckles, and that makes your hand, and knuckles feel more movable, and loose.

Popping your knuckles won't relieve pain. Your fingers may just be sore. If you sprained your finger, you just need to rest it. Popping it will not help.

You need to try to do it in the morning when your fingers are stiff. It may take time for them to crack. Either that, or give up. It's not the end of the world if you can't crack your knuckles.

Yes. You shouldn't put too much force on the finger. You can end up injuring yourself.

Everyone's knuckles make different sounds.

Yes. Like anything else, cracking your knuckles takes time and practice! But if it takes too much force it's bad for you.

Many people are unable to crack their knuckles, as there is not enough fluid in the joints to form a bubble. However, your index finger may just contain more of the fluid than your other joints. It is very common for only a few fingers to be able to crack.

You're applying far too much pressure to that bone or joint causing pain to the nerve that's connected to it.

Releasing tension in the joints, and a satisfying popping noise! Also, some people feel more relaxed after cracking their knuckles.

Your fingers and joints are just getting used to the cracking, so they might feel stiff or sore for awhile. It will go away.

Probably. If it relieves stress, it probably does work. Just don't put too much force into the cracks or you might get injured.

Probably because each finger is unique. Some knuckles crack easier than others.

Your joints don't have enough air dissolved into them to be able to crack them.

That's normal. It just means the fluid is coming back.

No. It might appear your fingers might be longer or shorter, but that is only because you have tensed the muscles in your finger joints. As for your hand size, nothing will happen, because the cracking is from the pop of a bubble.