Even today, there are curious phenomena in the human body that cause considerable concern or present incomplete answers to both the general public and scientists and professionals. Among these phenomena, there is that of cracking or blowing one’s fingers, a sign that – if we rule out the arthritic squeaks that are already well understood – continues to cause concern not only because of the causes (which we will answer here) but also about the ‘addiction’ that it produces in some people the power to blow their fingers.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we will answer the exciting question that many ask themselves, why do my fingers crack? And what could be its consequences?
Table of Contents
Causes of finger gnashing
At least once in our lives, we have all opened a soda bottle. The gas release accumulated inside the bottle can produce a pretty characteristic sound of these drinks.
In the same way, the sound that is produced in the fingers when they are crunched is due to the sound of bubbles with similar characteristics but in our joints. Such bubbles form in what is called synovial fluid. By moving our fingers in the particular way we make them sound, we widen the space in the joint enough to allow the bubbles to burst.
For these pops to reoccur, the synovial fluid in the joints must be filled with air again for bubbles to form, which is why cracking will not occur continuously or indefinitely. The typical wait interval is around 10 minutes, but there are cases where the sound (and the need to play it) can reoccur after 1 minute or less.
In cases of arthritis, the crunching of fingers is quite different from what we referred to at the beginning, and contrary to generating some satisfaction, it is painful for those who present it. In this situation, the sound is squeaky. It originates due to the friction between the bones due to the wear through which the joint used to cushion has passed, either chronically (degenerative) or due to accidents. If your case is arthritis, learn more about it in our article that informs you about arthritis: symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Need to crack your knuckles: emotional causes
This is the big question since the mechanism we have just explained about bubbles is more than known. Many medical investigations are responsible for finding the ultimate cause of symptoms without worrying about the true origin, especially in a problem like this that does not seem to cause significant damage. However, some people can blow the same fingers every minute or even more or realize that, curiously, there is the need to crunch them in some fingers and not in others. These are usually the most concerned with finding the actual source.
Chinese medicine explains that these signs indicate accumulated energy that does not flow. On the other hand, yogis complement by seeing the hands as extensions of the brain (in fact, in gestation inside the uterus, our hands arise directly from said organ) and the wrists as representatives of the neck. The production of these sounds, or more specifically, the need to produce them, would be an instinct to try to release such energy obstructions.
When these areas are then associated with the head, it is generally interpreted as a lack of expression of ideas and different forms of creativity:
- Manual labor: trying to express this lack with the desire to move the fingers constantly.
- Words and verbal expression: especially if it is on the wrist and thumb and the fact that you produce sounds. That one or several of the fingers are blown more than others could already be associated with wanting to express specific feelings or creative qualities.
- Body kinesthetic expression: if the desire to sound your fingers happens to your feet. You may be very passive and, believe it or not, energetically need activities like dance, sex, martial arts, and sports.
It should be noted that we initially mentioned the word creativity and expressiveness since these situations can occur even in a very dynamic person, a pianist, a singer, or even an athlete if he is not expressing himself even though he performs the same actions, since the Creative energy is not present in what you do. It doesn’t flow, and it just plays.
Consequences of trying to crack your fingers
Contrary to what people think, finger cracking has been proven not to cause arthritis or joint damage. However, it has been found that doing this continuously produces a feeling of weakness in the hand, specifically in making a fist. It would be related to the fact that in this constant movement of the tendons and joints, these tissues may lose the ability to accumulate and maintain force during flexion.
In the case of blowing your feet, this also does not cause arthritis, but the action of bending these fingers down to blow them requires activating muscles that start at the shin. Therefore, after several attempts to blow your fingers very quickly (or doing the movement that way they do not sound), you can feel how your insteps and feet get hot and even begin to hurt.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why are my fingers cracking, we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints, and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.