Do your joints sometimes crack or pop when moving into certain positions? Mine most definitely do! My elbows in my first upward dog and hips in triangle pose. I know I'm not on my own as sometimes there's a little chorus of popping in classes.
The medical term for this is “Crepitus”, from the Latin “to rattle”.
So, it seems joint noises are very normal and can be considered a natural by-product of movement. Examples of joint Crepitus include clicking, popping, snapping, clunking, and more. Often heard in knees, hips, elbows, hands, backs and necks.
Maybe you're a bit squeamish too (like me), the sound of someone cracking their knuckles goes right through me. But interestingly it's unlikely to cause much concern. Despite maybe being told as a child it would lead to arthritis. This is a myth. (Although some would argue against that.) Here's a bit more information. https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/joint-cracking-osteoarthritis
There's a couple of common explanations for Crepitus. One is when anatomical structures come into contact with each other and the other when pockets of gas form and collapse within joint cavities.
I found a helpful article in the Independent written by Rebecca Shepherd and Adam Taylor, where they discuss when we shouldn't and should be worried about the cracks and pops.
They explain, when 'tendons (tissue structures that connect muscles to bone) are moved over bony protrusions, and quickly snap back into place'. A good example they give of this is the 'noise commonly heard in the knee when moving from a seated to a standing position or when climbing the stairs as the tendons that cross the knee move over the joint'.
This type of Crepitus can increasingly occur with age as our muscles lose elasticity, decrease in size and strength and our tendons get stiffer. All the more reason to keep practicing yoga I feel!
The other really common explanation they give is, 'a build of air bubbles forming in the joint spaces. This noise occurs at joints where there is a layer of fluid separating the two bones. When this happens, the low pressure in the joint space causes gases within the synovial fluid to form a gas cavity'. When released sometimes a sound can be heard.
Here's the full article if you want to read more. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/why-joints-pop-crack-arthritis-disease-a8825276.html
It's worth saying that not 'every' body is going to make these sounds either.
There is caution tough. If you experience a joint noise that is accompanied by pain, swelling, or an acute injury, you should see a medical professional to have the joint evaluated.
The good news is most of the time, for most of us, if we feel we are literally cracking up, there's no reason for concern.
I hope you do get to crack some Easter eggs though over the next few days and have a lovely long weekend.
Namaste.
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