Is it just me, or do we all creak and pop more as we age? One of the most frequent questions I get is "Why do my knees crack?" When doing shoulder circles, it's like a symphony of snaps, crackles, and pops.
What's up with this? Is it dangerous? Is it just what happens as we grow older and wiser?
I'm not a doctor and if you are really concerned, there is a snapping sound, or you experience any pain at all, then I'd suggest seeing one. With that said, here's what I found:
Crackling Knees
* A weak adductor (inner thigh) causes the knee to misalign and crunch or crack.
* Arthritis or damage to the knee cap.
* Your getting older and hopefully wiser.
Clicking Knees
* Possible problem with the meniscus.
Popping Shoulders
* Scar tissue being rubbed upon and thus broken down some. Aadil Palkhivala says, "If it doesn't hurt, keep going."
* Humerus (upper arm bone) coming in and out of the socket. (Now there's a lovely thought.)
Cracking Joints
* Gas escaping from the fluid in the joint.
* Tendons or ligaments snapping back into place.
* Arthritis
Most of these issues can be alleviated with proper alignment and keeping enough fat in your diet to help lubricate the joints. My knees used to crack whenever I'd squat even with proper alignment. Based off an article in Yoga International (now Yoga Plus), I added Ghee (clarified butter) to my diet and the cracking went away.
Recently, Rod Stryker said, "If you do shoulderstand towards the end of your practice, then you don't have enough time to counter its effects on the neck. Notice if your neck cracks a lot. If it does, put headstand and shoulderstand in the middle of your practice and see if the cracking stops." He believes this cracking is a warning sign of arthritis yet to come.
So, why do we snap, crackle, and pop? Should we be concerned?
Reasons vary. If you hurt, see a medical professional. Work with proper alignment and use Yoga to find a balance of strength and flexibility surrounding the joint. Eat a healthy diet, and consider adding Ghee.
Have a healthy day,
Love Much,
Kris
www.TotalHealthYoga.com
www.LearnYogaOnline.Blogspot.com
Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
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