Cracking joints (knuckles) not clubs
 

I was always told that cracking your knuckles ect can cause Arthritis in later life.
I have been getting really bad cricks in my neck which are quite painful till you crack the joint.

The cracks vary between the base of my skull to the vertebrae between my shoulder blades, I was getting quite worried about it as I was thinking of the old it causes arthritis wives tale so I did a bit of searching and it turns out there is no medical evidence to back this claim up.

The poping noise is actually gas that escapes from the joint as you pull/push it. Still with my neck cricking 4 or 5 times a day maybe I should go to a chiropractor or Doctor to get my neck checked out.

Anyone been to a chiropractor before? Is it only a temp cure or does it actually help on a permanent basis?

My thumbs and elbows do it all the time, it doesnt cause arthritis and it really freaks people out which is cool.

Almost certainly worth a visit to get a check up from the neck up.

Having broken mine at C4,5, and 6 and requiring 38lb of weight drilled through my skull to put a dislocation back in I wouldn't take any chances if I thought there was any degeneration.

You made just require a few treatments to ease it. You may have unwittingly damaged it.

I know a guy who broke his neck pushing a car!!

The spinal cord isn't that far away, don't be unlucky!! :eek:

My neck cracks to, I have been to a Chiropractor and it gives some relief but it does return after a few days at best.

I use a special pillow which is shaped to support your neck, it takes ages to get used to sleeping on but it is worth it as it does stop my neck aching and has probably 1/2 the amount of neck cracking.

You can also take glucosamine sulphate, with or without chondroitin, it does work for me but you have to be religous about taking them and if you spine or joints are not aligned when you reach the desired dose it tkaes lots of force to "crack" the joint which can be scary.

I do try when possible to avoid cracking my neck to much and i take ibrufen if i have pain, also drinking lots of water does help with my joints, the downside being p!ssing like a race horse!

If using heat or cold to reduce pain use it only for 10 minutes as any more is counter productive as blood rushes to the area

try things until you get a good balance is all i can suggest, i have resigned myself to the fact that in the future i may have some issues but there may be new treatments by then so i just give some things a bit of thought before i do them (usually do them anyway!!) and get on with doing what i want.

Maybe a trip to the doctor would shed some light so couldn't hurt, they were useless for me though!!

Ray

osteopath osteopath osteopath osteopath osteopath
I've had troubles in the past from my neck and back.
osteopath and good exercise regime have completely sorted it.
R

Agree with Regacy - an osteopath is what you need.

Be careful with Chiropractors, they are not neck and back specialists, they belive they can cure all sorts or ilness by the manipulation of the spine:

In you do have a real neck or back injury they can actually make things much worse rather than better, a fracture for example can actually be exhasibated and result in paralysis. The osteopath and possibly a physiotherapist are the people to see who's skills are based on mondern medical techniques rather than quackery.

Cheers for the advice guys, Have to admit I'd rather go see a Osteopath rather than a Chiropractor.

I did think about using an old dustbin aka Homer "It's not trash can, son. It's Homer Simpson's spino cylinder!" but decided against it.