How can I stop cracking my knuckles?

In Soviet Russia, knuckles crack YOU!

have a friend beat you everytime u crack ur knuckles

cracking your knuckles will cause joint stiffness and pain because you are over exerting the joint. the degree of the damage will depend on frequency etc of the behavior. keep something in your hands at all times just try to always be holding something that way you cannot crack your knuckles.

Carry a little ball that fits in your hand and squeeze it! xox

o had tht problem. just try really hard not to then after a while youl get used to not doing it

Overworking your joints can lead to a type of arthritis, so it's not the cracking itself, just to excessiveness of the action. Being a hair dresser for many many years can have the same effect on your knuckles from the repetitive use of scissors. When you pop your knuckles, chances are you're not thinking about it, but you may notice you're going to do it a moment before. You need a way to draw your attention to the action. You could wear rings on all of your fingers so when you feel the rings it may draw your attention. Also get your friends to help by pointing out to you when you do it, maybe get them to slap your hand really really hard (show no mercy!!) you may avoid popping your knuckles to avoid the unparalleled fury of your permission-given friends. :P Also, try thinking about when it is or what you are doing when you pop the most. Is it when you're occupied doing something menial or mind-numbing or even something a little sedentary (like watching tv, reading, repetitive tasks.) Then try to note what tasks you are doing when you don't pop your knuckles. Try to fill up your free time with more of those types of activities.

Just don't. All you have to do is...nothing

Cracking your knuckles is an annoying habit in public. It gets on people's nerves just like smacking gum or chewing with your mouth open. Perhaps you can imagine someone doing something that irritates you, like smacking gum, whenever you crack your knuckles. At least that would make you aware of how people feel about it... but in your own space, go ahead. Crack away. However it causes absolutely no harm. It's just the release of gas in the joint. It hasn't been proven for sure it doesn't cause arthritis but studies have found no evidence it does. click on the link to read more...

OMG i used to have this same problem!!!! but all you really need is to persevere! Just stop yourself consciously everytime you try to crack your joints and then you'll gradually get used to the feeling. When it used to be a habit of mine, my joints would feel all awkward and uncomfortable if i didn't crack them, and when i did crack them, they would feel all nice and refreshed (lol i know it sounds weird) But after a few days or so of stopping myself, i got used to it and now I never have to crack my knuckles again!! I'm not quite sure about the whole arthritus thing but it seems to be the story everyone knows about...