This is what happens when you crack your knuckles
State of the art ultrasound technology has revealed what
causes knuckles to ‘crack’ out loud.
Like many people, I have bad habits. I hold my thumbs when I am stressed, bite my nails when I am nervous and I crack my knuckles when I am bored.
Needless to say, everyone from school teachers, to my mom have told me to stop cracking my knuckles because I'll have ugly hands when I get older.
Have you ever wondered what actually happens when you crack your knuckles?
State of the art technology has revealed what causes that cracking noise.
Robert Boutin, Proffessor of radiology at the University of California said that they were interested in pursuing this study because of the ongoing debate about whether the crack comes from popping a bubble or creating a bubble in the joint.
After conducting a few experiments using the ultrasound technology, they found that there definitely were gas pressure changes within the joint.
As to whether it is bad for you to crack your knuckles or not, Prof Boutin said "We found there was no immediate disability in the knuckle-crackers in our study, although further research will need to be done to assess any long term hazard, or benefit"
Do you have any bad habits? What are they?