This led me to ask about knuckle-cracking, which is a frequent habit of mine. Ross informed me cracking your knuckles is not a form of myofacial release. Cracking your knuckles actually releases metabolic gasses in the tissue of your joints. However, the body naturally compensates for those gases on its own and doesn't need extra effort to do so. Cracking knuckles can lead to arthritis.
Arthritis normally comes from joints that develop out of position.
They're called trigger points. Direct pressure usually takes care of them. We kept talking as I got one of the best shoulder and neck massages ever, noticing my tape recorder falling out of my hands as Ross asked a question. Ross asked, as she pointed it out by pressing on a particular part on my back. I couldn't actually feel it, but evidently, she could.