Finger drumming and cracking

[Ashes2493]

Okay, I have this odd habit of whenever I'm nervous I crack my knuckles. I heard that it's bad for your fingers, so my mom always yells at me telling me to stop it. I've also heard from my uncle that there is no harm in it, because he has done it for almost all of his life and he has no problems. Is this truly bad for you? And if it is, what is a better alternative?

Also when I get bored I drum my fingers. Which annoys everyone around me. Especially my coworkers, because when I drum my fingers on the table in the front, the microphones pick it up and it gets about ten times louder in the back.

Any advice for what I can do with my hands when I'm nervous or bored.

[BethanyAnn]

I pop mu fingers... I feel like when I don't they feel swollen and they say it can cause arthritis but my grandma is 61 years old and still a poppin and has no problems it all depends on the person I guess.. When I took a sports medication class my teacher said it wears down the joints and thats a main cause of arthritis when that cartilage wears down. there are two forms of arthritis and they are osteoarthritis or rheumatoid. The difference is that rheumatoid is one of the most common types of arthritis, is an inflammatory condition that primarily involves the tissue that covers the joints. This disease progresses over time, suck as popping your knuckles it wear and tear and its is a progressive thing and Osteoarthritis is another common form of arthritis experienced by the elderly, they are both wear and tear but one is progressive and one just happens with age, but then again I guess it depends on your joints.... But once cartilage is gone its gone I think when you are like ten blood flow to cartilage is minimum to none and thats why cartilage is soo white, and its soo important that you take care of it.... Most joints have a bursa sac that creates like an oil for joints, and when you get old that runs out and your joints grind... But I have gotten wayy off topic sorry but I hope that helped

[Ashes2493]

I'm trying to go cold turkey from popping my knuckles, but I also get that swelling or stiff feeling when I don't. But the cold turkey thing isn't working and I still pop my fingers, much to my mother's discontent. Haha

My finger drumming I've pretty much stopped doing that at work, but I still do it at home sometimes.

[BethanyAnn]

just something your body gets use to I forgot what makes it pop its something like air in you joints but theres a scientific name for it and thats what makes the popping noise.. so when you don't pop them that air builds up and thats what causes the discomfort in it

[VampirePrincess]

It's not really bad to crack your knuckles - just your neck! Often you can accidentally pop things the wrong way, and it's pretty easy to crack your knuckles back into the proper position. With your neck though, one wrong crack and...well, let's just say we all know it isn't good to damage our spinal cord. Me, I really don't like the feel of cracking anything myself, hence why I go to a chiropractor.

I always have to have something to do with my hands, as well. Sometimes I wear button shirts that are a little long for me so I can keep playing with the last button. I also wear things on my wrist - bracelets, rubber bands, hair ties. Or rings, if they don't bother you. Pens and pencils are great for me to click, but I'm in classes of 40 people, not near a microphone...so you should probably avoid those. But try the jewelry...it helps.

[BethanyAnn]

Originally Posted by VampirePrincess

It's not really bad to crack your knuckles - just your neck! Often you can accidentally pop things the wrong way, and it's pretty easy to crack your knuckles back into the proper position. With your neck though, one wrong crack and...well, let's just say we all know it isn't good to damage our spinal cord. Me, I really don't like the feel of cracking anything myself, hence why I go to a chiropractor.

I always have to have something to do with my hands, as well. Sometimes I wear button shirts that are a little long for me so I can keep playing with the last button. I also wear things on my wrist - bracelets, rubber bands, hair ties. Or rings, if they don't bother you. Pens and pencils are great for me to click, but I'm in classes of 40 people, not near a microphone...so you should probably avoid those. But try the jewelry...it helps.

I use to pop my neck til my doctor told me I can pinch a nerve and be paralyzed... but yeah hair ties and stuff work

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

Twisting things and popping buttons should help, particularly for finger drumming, if the reason you do it is because you need to be doing something with your hands. I'm always fiddling with the buttons on my shirt sleeves or the poppers on my coat (although I've broken a few before.)

Cracking your fingers is not linked to arthritis. However, it can lead to soft tissue injuries due to damage to the ligaments around the joints.

Hope I helped a bit.

[blumemusik♫]

Cracking your knuckles isn't bad for you, and doesn't cause arthritis - that's a myth!

You could maybe keep a piece of bubble wrap in your pocket? Try and see if you can make it last all day without popping all the bubbles