We all live it every day. Knees that creak with every step, neck that “complains” every time you turn to look at something and wrists that make something suspiciously “crack” while typing on the keyboard.

Often, the noises the joints make can be so loud that people around you ask if you’re okay. But don’t worry, most of the time nothing alarming happens.

But why do joints make noise? we asked physiatrist Maria Takvorian.

Many people notice that their joints make more noise as they get older. And the truth is that there is a reason for that.

The older you get, the more noise your joints can make because some of the cartilage wears away as part of the normal aging process. So these surfaces become a little rougher and thus make more noise as they rub against each other.

Joint noises can come and go, depending on how you position your body when you sit and when you move.

There are specific reasons why your joints crack.

For example, if you’re at the gym doing repetitive exercises like lifting weights or pushups, you might notice a sound every time you bend your arm or leg. This sound usually indicates that a muscle is tight and rubbing and causing friction around the bone. The sound can also come from tendons rubbing against the bone.

In this case, try some gentle stretching and the sound will lessen or disappear.

You should also know how the “noisiest” joint is the shoulder because there are so many moving parts and so many tendons moving over the bones.

The sound comes mainly from the compression of the nitrogen bubbles that appear in the joints.

This “crack” is the sound of gas being released from the joint, an action called cavitation. And no, it’s not a cause for concern.

And despite what your grandmother told you, there is no thorough research on how you will develop arthritis the more your joints crack!

Whatever the cause, these sounds do not need any special treatment. There are no long term effects of these noises nor do they lead to future problems.

Why do you get pleasure from snapping your fingers?

This squeak stretches your joints and stimulates the nerve endings located at that point. That’s why it gives you a pleasure.

How to avoid the sounds of joints?

One way to avoid joint grinding, and sounds, is to move, and by extension, move your joints, as much as you can during the day. Movement is good because the more you move, the more your body “warms up”. When you sit or lie down, the fluid in the joints does not move. The more active you are, the more your joints are lubricated.

Many thanks to physiatrist, Maria Takvorian from Orthorehab Center for her advice.

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