Can Cracking Knuckles Cause Arthritis? Plus, Pregnancy info, Covid Vaccine Research Published

As a chiropractor, I am often asked two questions.  The first is, “What is that noise that occurs when my spine is adjusted?” And number two, “Will cracking my knuckles give me arthritis?”   Years ago, the common belief was that the sound your joints make when “cracked” is due to the popping of bubbles in the fluid between the joint.  Recent research backs up the answer that I give to my patients (who would have thought I would have figured this out years ago!)

The researchers using MRI video determined why joints make a popping sound when they crack. It’s not the bubbles popping, the sound comes from a gas.  Lead study author Greg Kawchuk, a professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, said: “It’s a little bit like forming a vacuum… As the joint surfaces suddenly separate, there is no more fluid available to fill the increasing joint volume, so a cavity is created and that event is what’s associated with the sound.”  Another similar explanation suggests that when the spine is given a traditional chiropractic spinal adjustment or when you “crack” your knuckles, the joint space between your bones is expanded, creating less pressure.  This pulls joint fluid into the joint gap. The entrance of joint fluid is what causes the popping sound sensation when the spine is adjusted or the knuckle is “cracked.”  If I am losing you on this topic, this will make it much clearer for you.  Years ago, I was on a local radio station in the morning discussing chiropractic care.  I even brought my portable chiropractic table and demonstrated a spinal adjustment live on the radio.  Afterwards I was asked the question, “What is that cracking noise that comes from the chiropractic adjustment?”  I went on to give the escaping gas answer.  As this was one of those morning, “shock” type radio shows the reply I received (broadcast all over Southern New Jersey) was priceless.  The DJ said, “So, it’s like a spine fart”   Funny.  I could only answer yes!!  As far as acquiring arthritis from cracking your knuckles, the answer is no.  There is a membrane covering your joints that holds the joint fluid, this membrane protects your joints from harm.  A study of over 200 people showed that the rate of arthritis in the hands occurs equally when compared to groups of people who crack their knuckles and those who do not.  Some research even indicates that periodically cracking knuckles in hands that do not have arthritis, may prevent arthritis from occurring.  So, never fear.  Your chiropractic spinal adjustment and knuckle cracking are safe and sound.  Just don’t do it in a crowded elevator!!

Thought for the Week:  Few forces in life present, with an equal sense of inevitability, the bare-knuckle facts of who we are, and the demands of what we might become. ~ Author not known

Chiropractic Thought for the Week:  I think I gave you enough chiropractic information, but I will add one last thought. If you are adverse to the idea of cracking sounds when having your spine adjusted, chiropractors also use instrument and soft tissue adjusting techniques that eliminate the cracking sound of a traditional chiropractic spinal adjustment.  No bending, twisting or cracking.  Just a very gentle, “quiet” chiropractic spinal adjustment!!

Covid Vaccine Study:  A newly published vaccine study of 23 Million people shows risk of  heart problems’ from Moderna or Pfizer vaccination. The study published on April 30^th 2022 in the Journal of the American Medical Association cardiology.  According to the study, “both first and second doses of mRNA vaccines were associated with increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. For individuals receiving 2 doses of the same vaccine, risk of myocarditis was highest among young males (aged 16-24 years) after the second dose.”  Specifically, among young men receiving two doses of the same vaccine, between four and seven excess myocarditis and pericarditis events occurred in 28 days per 100,000 vaccinees.   The study concluded, “The risk of myocarditis in this large cohort study was highest in young men after the second SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose” and recommended, “this risk should be balanced against the benefits of protecting against severe COVID-19 disease.”

I know I have not reported on these statistics in a while, but the latest Center for Disease Control vaccine adverse reporting from 4/29/22 concerning covid vaccines now shows 1 million two hundred and fifty five thousand reported adverse events from the vaccination and 27,755 deaths.  And because my sub specialty in prenatal pregnancy care, I keep close track of the pregnancy related adverse vaccine reactions.  There have been 5,480 reported adverse events from pregnant women.  There have also been a total of 1,711 miscarriages or premature births reported during pregnancy following vaccination.

Pregnancy Prenatal Chiropractic Information:  What is fundal height an why is it an important measurement?  Fundal height is the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus (on the outside of the body).  This is measured with a measuring tape.  Pregnancy specialists typically take the measurement during the 24^th week of pregnancy. The measurement can help assess fetal growth and position.  The fundal height measurement typical corresponds with the week of pregnancy (give or take 2 cm ).  For example the 28^th week of pregnancy fundal height measurement would be close to 28 cm.

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.