Am I overreacting?

[mayestra12]

My dd (age 7) has recently starting cracking her knuckles and ankles A LOT. I really want her to stop. I even had my husband take her to his chiropractor and he firmly told her to leave all cracking to the professionals. Originally her story was that her coach made her toes crack at practice by pressing on them (I can see how this can happen). I think she is observing him crack his knuckles during practice and is copying it because it makes a cool sound. What better trick to show your friends at school, right? Ugh.

Is this habit really no big deal? Should I ignore it? I'm frustrated also because dd already has a few other bad habits and I'd rather not add another one to the list.

 

[gymgal]

It is a very hard habit to stop, like all other bad habits. I doubt it's from making a cool sound. Anyone who has had this habit will testify that it is highly addicting. You actually get the impulse to crack and it is difficult to suppress. Pressure builds up in your joints and just have to crack. Those who crack their joints are much more sensitive to this pressure build up and creates a cycle. I am cringing just typing this because it is making me think about cracking my knuckles. There are times when I will pop my knuckles for a few minutes because I am keep getting little pops and until I get the big pop, it remains uncomfortable.

 

[clrmom]

I agree with gymgal. I have cracked my knuckles for as long as I can remember (mostly my fingers). It definitely feels like I "need" to crack them or they start to hurt or feel uncomfortable. My mom used to tell me it would make me have arthritis when I was young, but my daughter said it causes no harm other than annoying others who don't like the sound.

 

[mamaoftwo]

lol, thanks. Now I just cracked my knuckles!!!

I am not sure how "bad" it is for you. I've heard it can make your knuckles bigger? And I've also heard it promotes arthritis. I used to be a huge knuckle cracker, but had stopped for the past 3-4 years. Until today, anyway. I am in my 30's and, so far, arthritis-free.

...though I do sometimes crack my own back/neck if I am getting a headache.

Anyway, I'd try to nip it in the bud. Just in case. Good luck.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

nah, all an old wives tale. knuckles and toes cracking are harmless. spines are another issue.

 

[bogwoppit]

Harmless, but horribly irritating. I have trained my kids, and almost my hubby, to never do it near me. It makes me feel sick!!!! THe sound is just awful to my ears and having never grown up with freaky knuckle crackers, it is just too much to listen to.

So you can tell her to go elsewhere if she feels the urge, either that or get used to it. If one of my goes for a crack I gentle hold there hand and remind them, it didn't take long. The hubby, on the other hand, now that takes time....

 

[Deleted member D3987]

we certainly do take time. lol! ^^^

 

[gymgal]

lol, thanks. Now I just cracked my knuckles!!!

I am not sure how "bad" it is for you. I've heard it can make your knuckles bigger? And I've also heard it promotes arthritis. I used to be a huge knuckle cracker, but had stopped for the past 3-4 years. Until today, anyway. I am in my 30's and, so far, arthritis-free.

Like I said, I have had arthritis since I was a kid (pretty severe. I take biologic injections to keep it under control). All of my years of cracking, I have never gotten arthritis in those joints (fingers mostly). Actually, I think it has helped me to keep range of motion. It has been a long time since I researched this but I believe all it is a build up of nitrogen? And the popping sound is literally the pooping of the "bubbles" that's why you get big pops sometimes and only little ones other times.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

true dat! ^^^

 

[cher062]

My dd cracks her hand knuckles all the time. I asked the Dr if she is harming her hands doing this and the answer finger and toe cracking is harmless. His response - Joint "cracking" can result from a negative pressure pulling nitrogen gas temporarily into the joint, and is released when knuckles are "cracked." This is not harmful. Wont cause big joints or arthritis or any of the other old wives tails about cracking knuckles. its only Annoying to those around the knuckle cracker but harmless.

He said the same goes for fingers, toes, wrists and ankles (didn't know you could crack your ankels but I guess you can)

He also said so long as there isn't pain when they crack them not to worry about it. Only when they crack them and pain happens that they need to look at it.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

true dat ^^^^