Posts made by Woodoo

I'm afraid I don't see any way that cracking your back/knuckles/neck could have a major negative influence on your life, like reducing participation in sport or becoming a recluse.

I find it sometimes cracks if i am sitting upright in a computer chair, and with my feet planted on the ground, I move my knees outwards.

I've always wanted to try Thai Massage, but I'm not sure there are many people in my area that do it. For now ill have to settle for cracking my back myself.

http://www.thaioasis.com/media/ananda thaimassage_400x351.jpg

That would be awesome.

Ok, here is my comment;

I have trouble believing that you are really a medical student, as there are far too many spelling and grammar errors in your post. I also do not believe that someone studying to be a doctor would be unaware that chiropractic manipulation is just as likely to cause a stroke as self-cracking.

Some cracking = Normal (especially during stretching or twisting)

Alot of cracking and pain = Bigger problem.

Absolutely not. Back cracking is the sound of cavitation in the synovial fluid of joint capsules.

Mis-alignment of the spine would be a very painful condition, as it would involve some for on dislocation. Either that or it would be similar to scoliosis, again a major condition.

The term 'mis-alignment' gets thrown around a lot by chiropractors and other therapists who do not use good science, but in reality, most people do not have a misaligned spine. If they did they would not be able to walk.

Never painful. You should go to a doctor if its causing you pain, there would be another problem.

Joint cracking has never been proven to be anything bad. I think there are far more unhealthy activities. Smoking is infinitely worse for you than twisting your back to make it pop.

Chiropractors like to say that DIY back cracking is bad, and their 'adjusting' is good, but in reality it is the same motion, the same pop, and the same good feeling as a result. They can't target specific points as accurately as they say they do when they make their 'adjustments'. Not to mention that the 'adjustment' does not adjust anything at all. The vertebrae are in the exact same place before and after the pop.

Look at scoliosis, the only way they can straighten peoples spines is with a metal brace installed by an orthopedic surgeon, a long shot from a simple pop.

Nothing is wrong with you. You just need to learn to ignore it.

I haven't tried Marmite, but I think its stronger than Vegemite. Vegemite now belongs to Kraft, all the other brands are copies. I wouldn't be surprised if the taste a little different.

The most important thing is that you can get the jar open…

Personally I don't like vegemite on sandwiches, probably ate too many of them as a kid. I do like it on toast or saladas though.

I think the problem is that when people try it for the first time, they spread it like jam or pea[censored]. Vegemite that thick tends to be rather unpleasant.

It should look something like this;

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/2/29/250px-Vegemiteontoast_large.jpg

No doubt an acquired taste.

As for knuckle cracking, I would think that grip strength is a function of the health of the ligaments, as well as muscle strength. Maybe the repetitive stretching beyond the passive range of motion eventually causes the ligaments to become more lax, resulting in the reduced grip strength

I haven't cracked my back by handstanding, but sometimes by rolling on my spine, or even just lying on a flat hard surface, it will crack.

Started cracking fingers at 14, it took a while to actually get them to crack, after watching a friend do it.
Spine came a few years later, tried all sorts of stupid techniques before I worked out the ones that would get a result. The first time I managed to do that it was a big relief.

On the times when it is hard to crack the index finger, but I manage to crack it, it will hurt quite a bit. It is really rare for it to be hard to crack though.

Not annoying at all. Its just something I do when I am bored or when the back has taken a punishment from too long in a particular chair. Lecture theatre seats are designed for pain.

For the specialist to have caused some sort of recurring clicking, he would have had to have broken something in your toe. You probably would have noticed that at the time.

If you are really worried though, it would be a good idea to see a GP, who will refer you to another specialist if required.

I guess if you are cracking to relieve stiffness, then stretching will have the same effect.

As for stretching muscles reducing cavitation in joint capsules, its hard to see the connection, although I am not a doctor by any means.

@MasterCracker:

Hey what else goes on a Vegemite sandwich , other than vegemite, any one know?

Just margarine usually. Sometimes cheese.

Anyhow, if cracking really does have such an effect on grip strength, you have to wonder what would happen to the spine. I mean, you don't exactly grip things with your back.

Also

ABC = Australian Broadcasting Corporation

I don't know if there are any other Australians on here, but if there are then they will probably know who Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is.

Regardless, I'm sure many of you will find this interesting;

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/homework/s95607.htm

I would have to say that it is probably the index finger. Most times it is really easy, but rarely it is quite hard to pop. Much harder than the back.

Wow, this thread has filled up since I last saw it. Been lurking in the shadows for a while, then I saw my old thread pop up I must say that it is good to see a lot more activity on here than a few months ago. Certainly is a unique forum.