What Cracking Your Knuckles Looks Like Under An X-Ray and Why It's So Satisfying

Most of us love a good old knuckle crack. 

It's simply satisfying to grab hold of your hand and get the best possible crack - and that goes for just about any other bone in your body!

But we've been plagued by rumours that it's bad for you and can cause arthritis.

Guess what? That is not true. It's not more likely you will develop arthritis if you crack your knuckles.

The act of cracking your joints is simply gas bubbles that have been displaced popping. It's pretty much harmless and is called cavitation - chiropractors use these sort of techniques to help improve movement in backs and necks.

This is what cracking your knuckles looks like under an x-ray image intensifier.  

Flexing my knuckles under a fluoroscope.Edit: The device used is also known as an X-ray image intensifier.

According to Dr Rachel Vreeman, there's actually no real hard science as to why it's so satisfying. It's just basically down to nervous energy. It's satisfying the same way popping bubble wrap is (and DAMN THAT'S SATISFYING). 

via GIPHY