Nerve Gliding: Ulnar and Median Nerve
Nerves are essential components of the body's nervous system, transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and various tissues and organs. Sometimes, nerves can become compressed, irritated, or entrapped due to factors such as poor posture, repetitive movements, injury, or underlying medical conditions. This compression can lead to symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of function in the affected area.
Nerve gliding, also known as nerve flossing or neural mobilization, is a technique used to improve the mobility and function of nerves within the body. This involves gently moving a nerve back and forth within its surrounding tissues to reduce tension, improve flexibility, and alleviate symptoms associated with nerve compression or dysfunction. These techniques aim to restore normal nerve mobility and function by gently stretching and releasing adhesions or restrictions that may be impeding nerve movement. By performing controlled, rhythmic movements that elongate the nerve and its surrounding tissues, nerve gliding helps to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote neural tissue health.
The specific benefits of nerve gliding include:
Pain Relief: Nerve gliding techniques can help alleviate pain associated with nerve compression or irritation by reducing tension and promoting the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving hormones.
Improved Range of Motion: By enhancing the mobility of nerves and surrounding tissues, nerve gliding can help improve joint flexibility and range of motion, making movement easier and more comfortable.
Reduced Nerve Symptoms: Nerve flossing can help alleviate symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning sensations, or muscle weakness by relieving pressure on the affected nerves and restoring their normal function.
Enhanced Healing: By promoting circulation and reducing inflammation around the nerves, nerve gliding techniques can facilitate the healing process and support overall tissue health.
Prevention of Further Injury: Regular practice of nerve gliding exercises may help prevent the recurrence of nerve-related injuries or symptoms by maintaining optimal nerve mobility and function.
It's essential to perform nerve gliding exercises under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist or massage therapist, who can assess your condition, provide appropriate instruction, and ensure that the techniques are performed safely and effectively.
Start slowly. Once you feel a stretch beginning, STOP and hold for 5-10 seconds.
If you feel pain, this might not be for you. If your range of motion doesn’t allow you to do these stretches, DO NOT FORCE IT.
This is different than stretching your muscles. The goal is SLOW movement with short 5-10 second holds.
Listen to your body. Pain means STOP.
The median nerve is one of the three major nerves responsible for movement and sensation in your arm and hand. This nerve travels from the neck all the way to your hand and enables you to bend your wrist, fingers, thumb and turn your palm downwards. It also supplies sensation to the palm side of your thumb, forearm, index, middle and part of the ring finger. If a median nerve is injured or irritated it may cause altered/reduced sensation and strength in these areas.
The ulnar nerve of the arm (aka the nerve causes the “funny bone” sensation) travels out of your neck, under your collarbone, along your triceps, along the pinky side of your forearm, crosses the pinky side of your wrist and into the pinky and ring fingers. If your pinky or ring finger tingle, this may be your problem. The nerve can get pinched anywhere along its path including the pinky side of the wrist.
