I'm 22 now and my chest has probably been cracking for 4-6 years now.
I think it happened back when I was 16-18 over at a friends house. They had a weight bench so I decided to do some bench presses while my friend spotted me. I brought the bar down a bit too far on one, and you guessed it, **CRACK**. My friend heard it as well. It didn't hurt, maybe some minor discomfort for the moment it happened, and now it usually gives at least one or two cracks throughout the day if I stretch my arms back/puff my chest out.
The main thing I'm worried about though is that I can actually see and feel that my right side of my ribcage is higher than the left, like my top rib was displaced and now hovers a few centimeters higher above the center of my chest. Or it's the other way around and my left side got messed up.
But the posts here make me feel better and more normal. :D
I think it happened back when I was 16-18 over at a friends house. They had a weight bench so I decided to do some bench presses while my friend spotted me. I brought the bar down a bit too far on one, and you guessed it, **CRACK**. My friend heard it as well. It didn't hurt, maybe some minor discomfort for the moment it happened, and now it usually gives at least one or two cracks throughout the day if I stretch my arms back/puff my chest out.
The main thing I'm worried about though is that I can actually see and feel that my right side of my ribcage is higher than the left, like my top rib was displaced and now hovers a few centimeters higher above the center of my chest. Or it's the other way around and my left side got messed up.
But the posts here make me feel better and more normal. :D
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wow, I didn't realize so many others had this issue. I'm 24 now and I've had this problem for about 2 yrs or so. It was a surprise when it first happened and over time the pain would get worse and worse and i would have to crack more and more frequently.
I weigh about 107 lbs (I'm 5 ft) and I haven't ever had a ny significant weight gain...so I doubt it could be that. I also never work out. But it seems like that common thread amont everyone that has posted is the whole sitting in from of the computer thing. For the last 5-6 years I have worked in Cust Service sitting in front of computer. I've never gone to the doctors, however, recently I've considered going to a chiropractor since the pain is getting worse and now almost always feels achey. Also, I feel as if my sternum is sticking out a bit, it never stuck out before....
I weigh about 107 lbs (I'm 5 ft) and I haven't ever had a ny significant weight gain...so I doubt it could be that. I also never work out. But it seems like that common thread amont everyone that has posted is the whole sitting in from of the computer thing. For the last 5-6 years I have worked in Cust Service sitting in front of computer. I've never gone to the doctors, however, recently I've considered going to a chiropractor since the pain is getting worse and now almost always feels achey. Also, I feel as if my sternum is sticking out a bit, it never stuck out before....
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Glad I found this thread and see many other people have this issue.
I'm 23, and for me it's been going on for probably about a year now. I'm 5'8", maybe 135lbs, and haven't gained any significant amount of weight. I'm relatively sure the cracking has been brought on by plenty of sitting in front of a PC, both for my job and at home. I also think a part of it was brought on by a lot of driving over the years, grabbing the steering wheel with one arm for hours at a time can't be good for the frame...
I can't say whether or not it's gotten worse, but I have noticed it's getting a little more difficult to crack the bone as of late. It's pretty much a constant soreness when I move in certain ways, and I try hard to crack it so I can feel relieved (like everyone else has been saying, the actual crack feels GREAT), but sometimes it doesn't crack and it just ends up feeling worse.
I guess I should go look into a chiropractor, but from the looks of things from other people here, they really can't pinpoint it and give a viable solution. Hearing that people have had it for a long time with no serious ill effects though is a relief, I was starting to get a little worried myself.
Take care guys.
I'm 23, and for me it's been going on for probably about a year now. I'm 5'8", maybe 135lbs, and haven't gained any significant amount of weight. I'm relatively sure the cracking has been brought on by plenty of sitting in front of a PC, both for my job and at home. I also think a part of it was brought on by a lot of driving over the years, grabbing the steering wheel with one arm for hours at a time can't be good for the frame...
I can't say whether or not it's gotten worse, but I have noticed it's getting a little more difficult to crack the bone as of late. It's pretty much a constant soreness when I move in certain ways, and I try hard to crack it so I can feel relieved (like everyone else has been saying, the actual crack feels GREAT), but sometimes it doesn't crack and it just ends up feeling worse.
I guess I should go look into a chiropractor, but from the looks of things from other people here, they really can't pinpoint it and give a viable solution. Hearing that people have had it for a long time with no serious ill effects though is a relief, I was starting to get a little worried myself.
Take care guys.
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I am so glad to find this. I have been to the doctors 3 or 4 times about this, which has been going on for about 1 year (I am 32) I really think it is nothing to worry about, my doctor took an X-ray and even a CT scan, and found nothing.
She has suggested more exercise and good posture for this (even though for me it can hurt more with exertion) and also sugggested anti-innflamatory, like Tylenol. I have tried both, but get only temporary relief-Overall I would still say the cracking frequency and pain of it are getting worse. My doc has bascially said I just live with it, but I am glad to find so many others, because she seemed to think I was crazy when I first mentioned this- as if she had NEVER heard of such a thing.
She has suggested more exercise and good posture for this (even though for me it can hurt more with exertion) and also sugggested anti-innflamatory, like Tylenol. I have tried both, but get only temporary relief-Overall I would still say the cracking frequency and pain of it are getting worse. My doc has bascially said I just live with it, but I am glad to find so many others, because she seemed to think I was crazy when I first mentioned this- as if she had NEVER heard of such a thing.
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Wow, this is pretty common I guess. I see three types of people here: 1) The weight lifters 2) The people who had an injury 3) The people who haven't done anything to prompt it
I'm a number 3. It started for me about a year ago. I'm 30, 6', and 220. I don't lift weights and have never really had any kind of injury that would've caused it. I work at my desk most of the day and I have horrible posture (I slouch). I get home and sit on the couch and use the laptop for sometimes an hour in a sitting. My posture isn't good then either. After I read every single reply to this message, I'm sure that the people who fit my profile simply have a posture issue. When I sit up straight and really concentrate on not slouching throughout the day, I don't experience the problem. I think that sitting in a slouched position slowly works the sternum out of alignment. When you suddenly sit up or move out of that position, you feel the tension of that joint being out of place.
Mine also gets sore. Sometimes (like today) I have the issue where it hurts to breathe deeply and I can't seem to pop it (that's what scares me). The pain is probably due to the fact that the ribs and lungs are all closely tied to the sternum. If you get to where you can't pop it, just sit up straight and wait it out. Don't force it!!! I've really hurt myself a couple of times trying to stretch my shoulders and chest to get it to pop. If it doesn't pop moderately easy, then you're better off just waiting it out.
Good luck everyone. I don't think that there's anything that the doctors can do about it.
I'm a number 3. It started for me about a year ago. I'm 30, 6', and 220. I don't lift weights and have never really had any kind of injury that would've caused it. I work at my desk most of the day and I have horrible posture (I slouch). I get home and sit on the couch and use the laptop for sometimes an hour in a sitting. My posture isn't good then either. After I read every single reply to this message, I'm sure that the people who fit my profile simply have a posture issue. When I sit up straight and really concentrate on not slouching throughout the day, I don't experience the problem. I think that sitting in a slouched position slowly works the sternum out of alignment. When you suddenly sit up or move out of that position, you feel the tension of that joint being out of place.
Mine also gets sore. Sometimes (like today) I have the issue where it hurts to breathe deeply and I can't seem to pop it (that's what scares me). The pain is probably due to the fact that the ribs and lungs are all closely tied to the sternum. If you get to where you can't pop it, just sit up straight and wait it out. Don't force it!!! I've really hurt myself a couple of times trying to stretch my shoulders and chest to get it to pop. If it doesn't pop moderately easy, then you're better off just waiting it out.
Good luck everyone. I don't think that there's anything that the doctors can do about it.
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Hey guys, im 21 and ive had this problem for about a year now. I spend alot of time at the computer and slouch most of the time. I've also been doing weights. From what ive read I think through some means (not using weights properly or injury) we've hurt our sternum. The cracking is of the cartilage realigning. Now what I want to know now is how can we repair this? I'm guessing it would be to stop doing weights for awhile, watch our posture and sleeping position. Can a doctor post an answer? Thanks for everyones answers already! Regards fellow poppers ;-)
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Hi guys. I think I have a solution for this!
I started having this problem when I would hyperextend on wide tricep dips at the gym. ever since then, I've been able to crack my sternum by pulling my shoulder back, away from the neck, while tilting my neck, back, the other way. It just looks funny, cause I'm pushing my chest out really far.
But anyways, I noticed I always had this problem sitting with bad posture, especially at the computer. Recently, I've been doing a lot of shoulder, back, and rotator cuff exercises, that pull my shoulders back. I guess before, I had a developed chest but underdeveloped back. Anyways, my posture has naturally gotten better, and now, I just keep conscious to keep my shoulders drawn back, and my back straight. Don't slouch! It seems to put pressure on your sternum, and after a while, your sternum can't take it.
I hope this helps..
I started having this problem when I would hyperextend on wide tricep dips at the gym. ever since then, I've been able to crack my sternum by pulling my shoulder back, away from the neck, while tilting my neck, back, the other way. It just looks funny, cause I'm pushing my chest out really far.
But anyways, I noticed I always had this problem sitting with bad posture, especially at the computer. Recently, I've been doing a lot of shoulder, back, and rotator cuff exercises, that pull my shoulders back. I guess before, I had a developed chest but underdeveloped back. Anyways, my posture has naturally gotten better, and now, I just keep conscious to keep my shoulders drawn back, and my back straight. Don't slouch! It seems to put pressure on your sternum, and after a while, your sternum can't take it.
I hope this helps..
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It might be costochondritis (kos-toe-KHON-dri-tis). Look it up, I believe this is what is causing the pressure and why it is relieved when you crack the sternum. I have the same problem.
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Ok so i read the first 3 pages of posts and they were all pretty much the same thing and I might not be a doctor, but it appears there is some link with weight gain and this cracking. Ive had the cracking now for a few years: started in the back and now my chest(feels like they are linked) as i now crack them both a few times a day for releif. I had a Mountain bike instructing job this summer which meant i was active all day and strengthening all of my muscles(including back muscles) and the cracking completely stopped. After about 6 weeks of ending work, the cracking started to come back. So i realised exercising can help.
But i think the main problem is definately posture!! I've been spending alot more time playing playstation/on the computer , and not at a desk but sitting in a chair/slouching and this has definately made it worse over the last few weeks.
Could it be that putting a few more pounds on your tummy gives you something to lean forward onto? ie giving you bad posture and causing it? I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks sitting upright as much as possible and not spending long periods of time sitting, but i reckon this might help, also as annoying as it is when the doctors suggest it, i think stretching does help aswell...if anything to make cracking easier lol
But i think the main problem is definately posture!! I've been spending alot more time playing playstation/on the computer , and not at a desk but sitting in a chair/slouching and this has definately made it worse over the last few weeks.
Could it be that putting a few more pounds on your tummy gives you something to lean forward onto? ie giving you bad posture and causing it? I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks sitting upright as much as possible and not spending long periods of time sitting, but i reckon this might help, also as annoying as it is when the doctors suggest it, i think stretching does help aswell...if anything to make cracking easier lol
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I crack my sternum nearly once a day, sometimes more, and have been doing so for about 10 years. At first I experienced some discomfort or even shooting pains after cracking it, but now it just feels good - like a release. If I'm at my computer, I can crack it every few hours.
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I also get this cracking sound when I sometimes sit in front of my computer and then try to straighten my back. After having read a couple of posts, I can see that many people experience this in the same situation.
Well, I would not worry about it too much, since to my mind it is caused by an inner muscle/bone tension which can stem from the fact that when people are reading or working on their computer they apply greater pressure to the sternum by leaning forward. I guess that only some peoples' anatomical structure predisposes them to have this "chest cracking" which is clearly produced by some moving elements in the chest.
However, others may get this from a chest injury- the parts which did not come back to the original state may be able to move and give a cracking sound.
Well, I would not worry about it too much, since to my mind it is caused by an inner muscle/bone tension which can stem from the fact that when people are reading or working on their computer they apply greater pressure to the sternum by leaning forward. I guess that only some peoples' anatomical structure predisposes them to have this "chest cracking" which is clearly produced by some moving elements in the chest.
However, others may get this from a chest injury- the parts which did not come back to the original state may be able to move and give a cracking sound.
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I played some peewee football growing up, along with eccessive exercizing. Never had my chest crack. It started about a year ago from what i remember. Im now 21 and the cracking comes and go's. it will crack only a couple times out of the week. but at times it will crack more than once a day. about 2 weeks ago it mega cracked and it hurt a lot but it was not unbarable. A lot of times that it cracked, it was verry relieving but that time it mega cracked, i got a little worried. "should i go to the doctor". I asked my doctor when i went in for a fisical, he said it was normal but if it started to hurt a lot to come back and we will look closer at the problem. iv yet to see him about the mega crack because the pain only lasted a half hour. and only hurt more when i moved serten ways. my suggestion is that work out your muscle's evenly. and when i say evenly. when you curl with your bysept, use the same size weight with ur trysept. use this method for every muscle to balence ur body's strength. when they are balenced your body will have less stress on other body's extremadies.
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Hi,
I also have a cracking (occationally) and grinding (all the time) sound in my sternum when I turn my upper body from side to side. Do any of you also get the grinding/craping sound when you turn? I was actually just at the doctor yesterday, and he was of very little help. They took 2 x-rays, but due to the sternum being cartlidge, you couldn't see anything anyway. He wanted to do a bunch more very expensive tests, like cat scans, etc. He seemed to have never heard of anything that could cause this and told me that if I had indeed injured or cracked my sternum, that I would be in extreme pain, which I'm not. It's just a dull pain, occurring after I pop or scrape it back and forth. So I left knowing nothing, and thought I would do some reasearch online to see if others have the same symptoms, and what can be done to fix it... Any suggestions/ help would be appreciated.
I also have a cracking (occationally) and grinding (all the time) sound in my sternum when I turn my upper body from side to side. Do any of you also get the grinding/craping sound when you turn? I was actually just at the doctor yesterday, and he was of very little help. They took 2 x-rays, but due to the sternum being cartlidge, you couldn't see anything anyway. He wanted to do a bunch more very expensive tests, like cat scans, etc. He seemed to have never heard of anything that could cause this and told me that if I had indeed injured or cracked my sternum, that I would be in extreme pain, which I'm not. It's just a dull pain, occurring after I pop or scrape it back and forth. So I left knowing nothing, and thought I would do some reasearch online to see if others have the same symptoms, and what can be done to fix it... Any suggestions/ help would be appreciated.
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i went to the chiropractor and its caused by doing dips and literally tearing your ribs cartilage from your sternum. he told me ill probably have to live with it for life and i'm only 16.
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I am 26 and my chest has been cracking for probably 5 years. From the info I can gather, my pain/cracking is from inflamed cartiledge. It is especially painful when I sit with a chair supporting my back/shoulders for long periods of time. I believe that after a while of sitting without holding your shoulder back yourself, your back muscles weaken. I found that strengthening my upper back muscles helped in the past. Anti-inflamatory drugs that I had for another problem helped my chest alot also. It has been pretty bad lately though. Sometimes I can't even get a deep breath.
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