In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleIt Only Affects Older AdultsCracking Your Knuckles Causes ItExercise Makes It WorseThey’re All the SameThere’s Nothing You Can Do About ItStrategies
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
It Only Affects Older Adults
Cracking Your Knuckles Causes It
Exercise Makes It Worse
They’re All the Same
There’s Nothing You Can Do About It
Strategies
Close
Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic health conditions, affecting over 53 million adults in the U.S. alone.And it’s not one single disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this broad condition includes more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases.
While arthritis is often associated with aging, it can impact people of all ages. And more than one-third of people living with this condition say it interferes with their ability to work and enjoy life. However, despite its prevalence, many misconceptions about arthritis persist, leading to confusion about its causes, treatments and management strategies.
To separate fact from fiction, we dove into the research to break down the most common myths about arthritis and provide evidence-based insights to help you better understand and manage this common condition. Here’s what you need to know.
5 Supplements You Shouldn’t Take for Arthritis, According to Experts
Myth 1: Arthritis Only Affects Older Adults
“While arthritis may seem more common in the older population, it certainly isn’t limited to a specific age group and can affect people of any age,” saysSarah Schlichter, M.P.H., RDN, a registered dietitian and owner of Bucket List Tummy.
The truth is that genetics, infections, injuries and lifestyle habits can increase your odds regardless of age.
Myth 2: Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis
You’ve likely been warned that cracking your knuckles can lead to arthritis. However, this pervasive myth likely stems from the popping sound, which some may interpret as damaging to the joints.
While there isn’t extensive research on the subject, a handful of studies have shown no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis development. Instead, the sound is believed to come from the release of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid that cushions the joints—not from bones grinding together.,
While knuckle cracking may annoy those around you, it isn’t harmful to your joints and won’t lead to arthritis.
Myth 3: Exercise Makes Arthritis Worse
For those living with arthritis, the fear of worsening joint pain or damage often discourages physical activity. However, staying sedentary can actually add to arthritis symptoms over time.
In fact, research suggests that exercise can be beneficial, as it strengthens the muscles surrounding the joints, improves flexibility and reduces inflammation. It may also prevent cartilage breakdown and reduce joint pain and stiffness.Physical activity is so effective that the Arthritis Foundation says it’s one of the best ways to decrease osteoarthritis-related pain and improve range of motion. Low-impact exercises like walking, cycling or elliptical machines may all be helpful.
However, if you have arthritis, speak with your doctor or physical therapist before starting any exercise program. They can help you determine the best type of physical activity for your unique needs.
Myth 4: All Types of Arthritis Are the Same
Arthritis is often treated as a singular condition. Yet, as noted above, it’s an umbrella term for scores of disorders affecting the joints. The two most common types—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—have distinct causes and treatment options.
If you are experiencing joint pain, reach out to your health care provider for a proper diagnosis. Understanding the causes and treatments for your specific type of arthritis is essential for better arthritis management.
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Myth 5: There’s Nothing You Can Do About Arthritis
While arthritis is a chronic condition with no cure, there are many strategies to help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life, including dietary changes. “Diet can impact arthritis symptoms, and focusing on anti-inflammatory foods, such as seafood, fruits and vegetables, and even certain supplements, may improve symptoms,” says Schlichter.
While there is no single diet designed to ease arthritis symptoms, the Mediterranean diet shows promise.That’s because it’s filled with anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Research reveals it may be particularly beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis.
The Best & Worst Foods for Your Joints
Strategies to Manage Arthritis
If you’re living with arthritis, here are some evidence-based strategies that may reduce pain so you can live your life to the fullest.
The Bottom Line
Arthritis is a complex condition shrouded in myths and misconceptions. However, understanding its causes and treatment strategies can help you take proactive steps to manage symptoms, support joint health and improve your quality of life. Whether through exercise, diet or medical treatments, there are many options that can reduce your discomfort and help you get back to living your life.
If you’re experiencing joint pain, don’t brush it aside. Speak to your doctor. The sooner you take action, the better you’ll feel!
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Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic Disease Indicators: Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.How Arthritis Hurts.Fallon EA, Boring MA, Foster AL, et al.Prevalence of Diagnosed Arthritis - United States, 2019-2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(41):1101-1107. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7241a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childhood Arthritis.Pavlov-Dolijanovic S, Bogojevic M, Nozica-Radulovic T, Radunovic G, Mujovic N.Elderly-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: Characteristics and Treatment Options.Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(10):1878. doi:10.3390/medicina59101878National Psoriasis Foundation.What Is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)? Identify & Treat PsA SymptomsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Risk Factors.Rizvi A, Loukas M, Oskouian RJ, Tubbs RS.Let’s get a hand on this: Review of the clinical anatomy of “knuckle cracking”.Clin Anat. 2018;31(6):942-945. doi:10.1002/ca.23243Deweber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2011;24(2):169-74. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156Zeng CY, Zhang ZR, Tang ZM, Hua FZ.Benefits and Mechanisms of Exercise Training for Knee Osteoarthritis.Front Physiol. 2021;12:794062. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.794062Arthritis Foundation.Benefits of Exercise for Osteoarthritis.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.Gioia C, Lucchino B, Tarsitano MG, Iannuccelli C, Di Franco M.Dietary Habits and Nutrition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Diet Influence Disease Development and Clinical Manifestations?Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1456. doi:10.3390/nu12051456Lim YZ, Wong J, Hussain SM, et al.Recommendations for weight management in osteoarthritis: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines.Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2022;4(4):100298. doi:10.1016/j.ocarto.2022.100298Polinski KJ, Bemis EA, Feser M, et al.Perceived Stress and Inflammatory Arthritis: A Prospective Investigation in the Studies of the Etiologies of Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(12):1766-1771. doi:10.1002/acr.24085
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic Disease Indicators: Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.How Arthritis Hurts.Fallon EA, Boring MA, Foster AL, et al.Prevalence of Diagnosed Arthritis - United States, 2019-2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(41):1101-1107. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7241a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childhood Arthritis.Pavlov-Dolijanovic S, Bogojevic M, Nozica-Radulovic T, Radunovic G, Mujovic N.Elderly-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: Characteristics and Treatment Options.Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(10):1878. doi:10.3390/medicina59101878National Psoriasis Foundation.What Is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)? Identify & Treat PsA SymptomsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Risk Factors.Rizvi A, Loukas M, Oskouian RJ, Tubbs RS.Let’s get a hand on this: Review of the clinical anatomy of “knuckle cracking”.Clin Anat. 2018;31(6):942-945. doi:10.1002/ca.23243Deweber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2011;24(2):169-74. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156Zeng CY, Zhang ZR, Tang ZM, Hua FZ.Benefits and Mechanisms of Exercise Training for Knee Osteoarthritis.Front Physiol. 2021;12:794062. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.794062Arthritis Foundation.Benefits of Exercise for Osteoarthritis.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis.National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid Arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.Gioia C, Lucchino B, Tarsitano MG, Iannuccelli C, Di Franco M.Dietary Habits and Nutrition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Diet Influence Disease Development and Clinical Manifestations?Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1456. doi:10.3390/nu12051456Lim YZ, Wong J, Hussain SM, et al.Recommendations for weight management in osteoarthritis: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines.Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2022;4(4):100298. doi:10.1016/j.ocarto.2022.100298Polinski KJ, Bemis EA, Feser M, et al.Perceived Stress and Inflammatory Arthritis: A Prospective Investigation in the Studies of the Etiologies of Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(12):1766-1771. doi:10.1002/acr.24085
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic Disease Indicators: Arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.How Arthritis Hurts.
Fallon EA, Boring MA, Foster AL, et al.Prevalence of Diagnosed Arthritis - United States, 2019-2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(41):1101-1107. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7241a1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childhood Arthritis.
Pavlov-Dolijanovic S, Bogojevic M, Nozica-Radulovic T, Radunovic G, Mujovic N.Elderly-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: Characteristics and Treatment Options.Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(10):1878. doi:10.3390/medicina59101878
National Psoriasis Foundation.What Is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)? Identify & Treat PsA Symptoms
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Risk Factors.
Rizvi A, Loukas M, Oskouian RJ, Tubbs RS.Let’s get a hand on this: Review of the clinical anatomy of “knuckle cracking”.Clin Anat. 2018;31(6):942-945. doi:10.1002/ca.23243
Deweber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R.Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2011;24(2):169-74. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156
Zeng CY, Zhang ZR, Tang ZM, Hua FZ.Benefits and Mechanisms of Exercise Training for Knee Osteoarthritis.Front Physiol. 2021;12:794062. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.794062
Arthritis Foundation.Benefits of Exercise for Osteoarthritis.
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis.
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.The Ultimate Arthritis Diet.
Gioia C, Lucchino B, Tarsitano MG, Iannuccelli C, Di Franco M.Dietary Habits and Nutrition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Diet Influence Disease Development and Clinical Manifestations?Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1456. doi:10.3390/nu12051456
Lim YZ, Wong J, Hussain SM, et al.Recommendations for weight management in osteoarthritis: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines.Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2022;4(4):100298. doi:10.1016/j.ocarto.2022.100298
Polinski KJ, Bemis EA, Feser M, et al.Perceived Stress and Inflammatory Arthritis: A Prospective Investigation in the Studies of the Etiologies of Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(12):1766-1771. doi:10.1002/acr.24085
