Joints a Poppin'

To answer a question personal trainers get a lot regarding that popping, cracking noise in the joints during exercises, I thought I'd post an excerpt from Oxygen Magazine (http://www.oxygenmag.com/) February 2012 issue.


"Dear Dr. Solomon:  I keep hearing my joints crack during movement, whether I am exercising or not.  How do I get it to stop? ~ Nina, via e-mail

Dear Nina:  As long as you are not experiencing any pain, there is probably nothing to worry about.  The cracking or popping noise you hear could be caused by a ligament or tendon temporarily shifting out of place.  It could also be attributed to cavitation, a normal process related to pressure changes within the joint space.  The joint space contains a viscous lubricant, known as synovial fluid, and dissolved gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.  These gases can be coaxed out of solution and audibly pop with joint movement.

If the noise bothers you, speak to your doctor and consider seeing a physical therapist.  By strengthening the right muscles, you can reduce the overall strain on the "noisy joint."  However, if any recurring cracking is also accompanied with pain, it may be the result of an anatomical abnormality or injury, and you should seek advice from you doctor directly."


Law of Facilitation The body subscribes to the law of facilitation, meaning that the body will achieve the desired movement following the path of least resistance. If your body has any mobility-stability compromises, you will end up with dysfunctional movement causing inevitable breakdowns at your weakest link. This is corrected by focusing on moving correctly as opposed to just moving. A great example is the squat and the push up. If you just move through either of these movements regardless of incorrect movement just to say you got the move done, you are actually causing layers of damage to muscular and joint function which will impede your progress to moving correctly in those and other movements. An excellent way to get in touch, stay in touch, as well as improve your mobility-stability issues is to STRETCH. Yoga is an excellent way to accomplish this. When you are stretching, regardless of what modality you use, pay attention to what is tight and what is overcompensating for your “weak links” and communicate those findings to me during our sessions. We can work together to improve your movements so your body doesn’t have to “compromise” to move.

Not working with me?  If you find that you are moving incorrectly resulting in any pain, be sure to seek the assistance of a professional to aide you in your movement to correct any misalignment and incorrect form.  I am always an e-mail away to answer questions at cagib1@charter.net.