need help breaking habit

NoAdditives
NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
in Chit-Chat
I need some help figuring out how to stop popping my knuckles. (Yes, I've consulted Google and am doing some research on this issue already. I just want some insight from real people as well.) I've been doing it for about half my life, maybe a little longer. I do it multiple times an day. It's starting to bother me a little bit and it's definitely not a habit I want my kids developing. I don't do it out of nervousness or anything like that, I do it because the joints in my fingers hurt. I also have to pop my elbows, my back, my jaw, and my toes. If I don't do it, they hurt.

Is there anything I can do that will help the discomfort and help me break this habit?

Replies

  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    Really? No one?
  • palmerig88
    palmerig88 Posts: 623 Member
    I stopped doing that when I was younger because my sister scared me and told me I would get arthritis when I got older if I didn't stop. So: 'You will get arthritis when you get older if you don't stop.'

    Another habit I didn't think I could ever break that relates more to what you are saying:
    I have scoliosis and as an adult I get a very rare 'flare up' in which I am pretty uncomfortable all day or for a couple days. When I was younger I used to cringe my body and adjust my body a lot, especially when seated. I was uncomfortable all the time. So stopping the habit actually helped me and now the flare ups are so rare, my problem is almost non existent. I notice it more in pictures than in daily life like I used to.
    I don't know if that will truly help you, but I guess if you can stop then eventually you won't think they hurt anymore and you will no longer need the relief you think you need from the popping.
    Also avoid things that bring on pain. In my case, that means I rarely sit or lay on the floor. That is a big trigger for my back comfort, or lack of...
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    I do it. Don't really see the harm. Don't do it all the time.
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member
    Check out the book (paperback or audio) "The Power of Habit"
  • dotmango
    dotmango Posts: 33 Member
    If you have lots of joint pain maybe you should see a doctor and look for causes. That could help you break this habit. Just as an FYI, my mother is arthritic and my sisters and I have noticed along with her that we all experience LESS pain when we are mobile--- so being active, knitting, crocheting, typing, all those things help with joint pain for us. Another thing I've seen improve joint pain is a glucosamine supplement.
  • I_wanna_live
    I_wanna_live Posts: 227 Member
    to stop doing something is simple....STOP DOING IT!!!

    If it isn't out of nervousness, but pain... then see your doctor, and get a catscan done of these areas, see why they hurt so. Another idea is if they hurt, pop a few pain killers chances are with the back and neck, it is due to tightening muscles or a pinched nerve or something
  • AJ_Pete
    AJ_Pete Posts: 863 Member
    You just made me crack my knuckles by reading this. Felt good.

    It's not a terrible habit that'll lead to debilitating arthritis. In fact, I think that claim was proven to be bogus.
  • WinWinGo
    WinWinGo Posts: 99 Member
    You probably don't need to stop. I don't think it's hurting you. I crack my fingers, neck and back. Doing it too often makes them hurt more, so I end up stopping for a while. IF cracking your joints starts making them (or the surrounding areas) hurt, Stop. It's easier to stop if that happens. Most of my habits get broken (at least for a bit) if they start causing pain. Apart from that, I don't know what to tell you.

Categories