Yoga classes are usually pretty quiet - until students start moving their joints and muscles. The natural soundtrack of cracks and pops that accompany downward dog or Marichi's poses can get quite loud at times. The sounds may be a little alarming, but they usually aren't a sign of a serious problem with your joints. More Than One Reason for Noisy Joints More than one phenomenon is responsible for cracking or popping joints. Gas bubbles in the synovial fluid is a common cause of noisy joints. Synovial fluid lubricates your joints, making it easier for them to move. For many years, doctors thought that the sound occurred when nitrogen bubbles in the joints popped. Just a few years ago, researchers at the University of Alberta disproved that theory. They discovered that the cracking and popping sounds actually occur when a bubble forms, rather than pops. Moving your joints changes the distribution of the fluid in your joints, causing the harmless bubbles to form. Other causes of noisy joints include:
When should I be concerned about noisy joints? A little noise usually isn't a problem, but if the sound effects are accompanied by pain or swelling, you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Pain can be a symptom of arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis or other conditions. Continuing to exercise if you experience pain may cause lasting damage or chronic pain. How Can I Turn Down the Noise? Although cracking and popping usually isn't a sign of a problem, the noise can be annoying. If you want to decrease the volume, try one or more of these tips:
Our yoga classes start with plenty of stretching to help you minimize noisy joints. Contact us today to learn about the classes we offer. Sources:
Yogi Times: Cracking, Popping, Noisy Joints in Yoga http://www.yogitimes.com/article/noisy-stiff-craking-joints-chiropractic-adjustment Yoga Journal: The Truth About Cracking + Popping Joints, 8/28/07 http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/cracking-and-popping-joints PLOS One: Real-Time Visualization of Joint Cavitation, 4/15/15 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0119470 PLOS One: Real-Time Visualization of Joint Cavitation, 4/15/15 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0119470 |
About
the Author Born and raised in the beloved town of Rancho San Diego, Lindsey is a young entrepreneur that continues to learn more from the beautiful people around her. When she's not doing yoga she enjoys spending time with her two husky pups and being outdoors enjoying sunny SD.
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December 2019
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