Everybody at some point in time has asked the question ‘Can cracking your knuckles give you arthritis or not?’
The simple answer is no, this research has been supported in a 2015 study (using real-time MRI images) at the University of Alberta, Canada to not be harmful or cause osteoarthritis from ‘knuckle cracking’. In addition, osteopaths train for many years. Our aim is to find the joints that are not moving or are moving inefficiently with the aim to improve your body and spinal movements. Osteopaths perform manipulations in many joints of the body in order to achieve many health benefits.
How does manipulation of a joint work?
A manipulation is where the surfaces of cartilage (within a joint) pull away from each other, creating a site for tiny bubbles of gas to form and to be trapped. The sudden expansion caused by the small thrust by an experienced osteopath creates negative pressure in the joint generating the popping sound of the bubbles. This causes a therapeutic effect and frees the restricted joint.
That is it…No bone crunching, neck wrenching experience you may have seen on the conjuring horror movie!
What are the benefits of manipulation?
When performed by a professional, manipulation can have many positive effects on the body:
- It can aid pain relief of muscle and joint pain
- Increase range of movement at a joint by adjusting ‘restricted’ segments
- Has been researched to have a positive physiological effect on the central nervous system
Joint manipulation can be performed in all different areas of the body from your spine to even your toes! Do not hesitate to ask one of the team if you have more questions.
By: Rebecca Player