WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING INSIDE YOUR JOINTS CRACKING THE MYSTERY
Is it bad for you? Despite warnings from parents and grandparents, cracking your joints isn’t linked to arthritis. In fact, studies have found no evidence that habitual knuckle-popping damages joints. One famous doctor even cracked the fingers of just one hand for more than 60 years as a personal experiment and found no adverse effects compared to his other hand. That said, cracking isn’t always 100% innocent. If the noise is paired with pain, swelling, or stiffness, that could indicate an underlying problem, like arthritis, cartilage wear, or ligament irritation. Joints make noise for other reasons. Not all joint sounds are bubble-related. Sometimes, tendons or ligaments snap as they slide over bony structures. Knees can
Most people have experienced it: You stretch in the morning, bend your knees after sitting too long, or crack your knuckles during a meeting, and suddenly you hear a pop! The sound is so familiar that we barely notice it, but it sparks curiosity. Why do our joints make these noises, and is it something to worry about? What’s the science behind the pop? Synovial fluid, a slick liquid that cushions and lubricates our joints so bones can glide smoothly, is the main culprit. This fluid also contains dissolved gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. So, when you pull, twist, or bend a joint, the space inside the joint capsule suddenly expands. That drop in pressure forces the gases to form a bubble, a process called cavitation. The “pop” we hear comes from the quick formation and partial collapse of that bubble. Why can’t you crack again right away? Have you ever noticed that after cracking a knuckle, you can’t immediately repeat it? That’s because your joints need a refractory period. Gases usually take 15–20 minutes to dissolve back into the synovial fluid and reset the system for another crack.
grind or crunch when cartilage thins, a sound known as crepitus. Shoulders and hips might click as muscles or connective tissues shift during movement. These sounds aren’t always harmful, but if cracking a joint causes discomfort, it’s wise to consult a health care professional.
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Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders
butt younger every single year! She’s such a huge part of our lives and a big reason we’ve been able to go as fast and as far as we have this past year as a family of five. Because of this, we’re constantly searching for the latest and most effective holistic treatments to promote longevity, first for her and ultimately for everyone who follows behind her. What that means for our Berman Health Club (BHC) members is simple: You’ll always have access to the most advanced, results-driven modalities to give you the best chance of arriving at 80 feeling 60. As my longtime client Doug put it last month, “I want to keep going 100 MPH and then just hit a wall one day — none of that long, dragged-out BS.” So, if you want to join the group of seniors who are defying the aging process, make sure you turn the page to learn more about our Berman Health Club options!
INGREDIENTS • 3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto • 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise • 1/4 cup fig preserves • 3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese • 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
• 1/2 cup melted butter • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme • 2 chopped garlic cloves • Black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving.
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