Monthly Newsletter
What causes my joints to make that "popping" sound?
Q: When I exercise or stretch, my joints pop, and it sounds like I'm
cracking my knuckles. Should I be concerned?
A: There is no clear reason why some joints pop; several things seem to
contribute to this odd phenomenon.
When you picture any of your joints, you've got the meeting of two or
more bones. These bones are held in place by ligaments, then you have
the tendons that connect the muscles that move the bones. There is
cartilage that pads the joints as well as fluid for lubricating the joints.
When everything is working properly, the movement of your joints can
occur smoothly and quietly. Things like an arthritic condition
(inflammation of the joint), a worn or uneven surface, or greater than
average force on a joint can bring about that familiar popping
sound-often caused by the formation of an air pocket from body
movement.
It doesn't always take a lot of pressure or force to bring on that joint
popping sound. However, when you are exercising your body, sudden
or extended movements, as well as lifting heavier weights, can increase
the likelihood of popping joints.
Q: Are popping joints something to worry about?
A: According to an article by Martica Heaner, M.A., M Ed., for MSN
Health and Fitness, "The general assumption by health professionals s
that if you feel no pain, it's not something to worry about. Still it's
probably not a good idea to purposely crack your knuckles, neck or
back."
Heaner goes on to say, When you increase your exercise intensity by
changing what you do, you can add more stress to your body. If you're
used to walking and you suddenly shift to workouts that emphasize
running and jumping, for example, or when you bump up the amount
of weight that you lift, the overload to the joint may be just enough to
safely challenge the body to work harder-or it might be too much, and
cause the body to strain to cope with the new stimulus.
"But it's not just the super hard stuff that can overload your body. If
you go longer and increase the total time you spend exercising (going
from twice weekly jogs to everyday training for a marathon, for
example) your body could experience stress if it's not ready to cope
with endurance required to maintain training.
"Joints move smoothly and with less friction when the body is warmed
up and synovial fluid is released. If you start any workout whether with
light easy movements that mobilize the joints prior to vigorous action
for at least five to 10 minutes. you'll best prepare your body for a
harder or longer challenges."
When it comes to your health, it's always safer to take a cautious
approach. Try to increase your activity levels to a nice, easy pace to
avoid undue stress to your joints.
Proper exercise can help your joint health. Joint movement encourages
lubrication of the joint. the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsule are
warmed from the movement, which helps to keep these tissues pliable.
And remember that massage helps all areas of your body to function
better. Each massage you receive can help to increase the circulation to
the joint area so each joint will receive the raw materials and
nourishment is requires. the increased circulation can help to remove
any cellular wastes as well.
The conditions that tend to cause a muscle to remain too tense or a
joint to be stiff and limited in its range of motion in many cases can be
normalized through regular massage.
Staying in Touch Newsletter, 2008, www.massagemarketing.com
The content is not intended to replace professional medical advise.
Q: When I exercise or stretch, my joints pop, and it sounds like I'm
cracking my knuckles. Should I be concerned?
A: There is no clear reason why some joints pop; several things seem to
contribute to this odd phenomenon.
When you picture any of your joints, you've got the meeting of two or
more bones. These bones are held in place by ligaments, then you have
the tendons that connect the muscles that move the bones. There is
cartilage that pads the joints as well as fluid for lubricating the joints.
When everything is working properly, the movement of your joints can
occur smoothly and quietly. Things like an arthritic condition
(inflammation of the joint), a worn or uneven surface, or greater than
average force on a joint can bring about that familiar popping
sound-often caused by the formation of an air pocket from body
movement.
It doesn't always take a lot of pressure or force to bring on that joint
popping sound. However, when you are exercising your body, sudden
or extended movements, as well as lifting heavier weights, can increase
the likelihood of popping joints.
Q: Are popping joints something to worry about?
A: According to an article by Martica Heaner, M.A., M Ed., for MSN
Health and Fitness, "The general assumption by health professionals s
that if you feel no pain, it's not something to worry about. Still it's
probably not a good idea to purposely crack your knuckles, neck or
back."
Heaner goes on to say, When you increase your exercise intensity by
changing what you do, you can add more stress to your body. If you're
used to walking and you suddenly shift to workouts that emphasize
running and jumping, for example, or when you bump up the amount
of weight that you lift, the overload to the joint may be just enough to
safely challenge the body to work harder-or it might be too much, and
cause the body to strain to cope with the new stimulus.
"But it's not just the super hard stuff that can overload your body. If
you go longer and increase the total time you spend exercising (going
from twice weekly jogs to everyday training for a marathon, for
example) your body could experience stress if it's not ready to cope
with endurance required to maintain training.
"Joints move smoothly and with less friction when the body is warmed
up and synovial fluid is released. If you start any workout whether with
light easy movements that mobilize the joints prior to vigorous action
for at least five to 10 minutes. you'll best prepare your body for a
harder or longer challenges."
When it comes to your health, it's always safer to take a cautious
approach. Try to increase your activity levels to a nice, easy pace to
avoid undue stress to your joints.
Proper exercise can help your joint health. Joint movement encourages
lubrication of the joint. the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsule are
warmed from the movement, which helps to keep these tissues pliable.
And remember that massage helps all areas of your body to function
better. Each massage you receive can help to increase the circulation to
the joint area so each joint will receive the raw materials and
nourishment is requires. the increased circulation can help to remove
any cellular wastes as well.
The conditions that tend to cause a muscle to remain too tense or a
joint to be stiff and limited in its range of motion in many cases can be
normalized through regular massage.
Staying in Touch Newsletter, 2008, www.massagemarketing.com
The content is not intended to replace professional medical advise.
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