# Knuckle-cracking as pain relief

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-as-pain-relief/307155>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [June 6, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-as-pain-relief/307155 "2005-06-06T17:08:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-as-pain-relief/307155/1 "2005-06-06T17:08:55Z")

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Inspired by [this thread](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_305b.html)

I give massages based upon a bastardized version of accupressure - manipulation of pressure points, etc., via strong pressure exerted through the fingertips. After massaging for a while, my knuckles start to ache, and I have to stop. However, if I crack my knuckles, I am able to continue the massage. What’s happening?

Sua

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**Author:** ![Seifer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Seifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seifer)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2005, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-as-pain-relief/307155/2 "2005-06-09T07:36:40Z")

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Hey Sua. I have had the same kind of experience when i’ve been doing some late night programing. After a few hours and a few hundred Jolt cola’s my knuckles feel really tight and stiff to move. But a quick snap and a click and they seem to be fine again in a few seconds. Although for a moment after I do crack them they seem to get worse to move but as I said after that I feel much better.

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**Author:** ![sn3kers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@sn3kers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sn3kers)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking-as-pain-relief/307155/3 "2005-06-15T19:20:22Z")

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Once again I may be a child but I have a small amount of knowledge in this endevour as well.I am a writer. I write on my hobbies occasionally and when I write I often write for hours.I have the same problem with my fingers.I write constantly and my fingers cramp and I am unable to write even small words. I then take a few seconds to crack my knuckles and am just fine to write for another few hours(until I have to crack them again).I’m not really sure about this for me though it might be out of habit…