We've all heard our joints make funny sounds, but ever wondered what those noises actually indicate?
Pop - Not the best noise to hear....If there is a loud pop, particularly after some sort of trauma with pain, swelling and possible bruising, it is most likely a tear, strain or sprain injury... we sprain ligaments, strain muscles, but both can get torn.
Clicking or snapping - this is normal and most of us will have heard it during some form of movement. If you have no limited movement, swelling or pain, this is most likely to be a tendon slipping around. Tendons are thick bands of tissue that attach muscles to bones.
Grating or gritty - if it feels & sounds like you have sand around the joint when you are moving, with possible tenderness, pain and maybe even a tingly feeling or dull ache, this could be tendonitis. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon and is usually caused by sudden, sharp movements or repetitive exercise, such as running, lifting, jumping or throwing.
Clunking - a clunky joint with no limited movement, swelling or pain is most likely the bony structures just needing a little wiggle to get back to their happy place. Stretching can help with this and soft tissue treatment that includes joint mobilisation can work wonders on a clunky joint.
We will all experience noises with movement and mostly is is nothing to be worried about. If however there is any trauma, pain or swelling it's best to seek advice.... and never push through pain. It could make an injury worse or end up taking you longer to recover.
Finally, ever had the tummy rumbles during a massage treatment? This is an indication that you are relaxed and the parasympathetic nervous system (the 'rest & digest' part of our nervous system) has activated. At rest, digestion begins, stomach juices flow and gases bubble in the intestines, resulting in a stomach rumble. The scientific word for this is borborygmus (great word). So if your stomach rumbles when you're receiving a massage, don't be embarrassed, it is a good thing!