22/07/2025
: Have you ever had pain radiate radiate into your arm/hand or into your glute/leg? If so, what exercise you can do to help alleviate the tension on the nerve involved is called "NERVE FLOSSING". Let's learn!
➡ WHAT IS NERVE FLOSSING?
▪ Nerve flossing is a set of exercises that gently mobilize the nerves.
▪ It may also be referred to as neural gliding.
▪ The exercises are simple and often require no equipment, so people can easily do them at home.
➡ HOW DOES NERVE FLOSSING WORK?
▪ Nerve flossing exercises involve stretching a nerve by moving a joint in a way that pulls the nerve taut at one point while simultaneously relaxing it at another point.
▪ This action helps the nerve slide smoothly between surrounding tissues like muscles and joints, preventing it from getting stuck or irritated.
▪ Nerve flossing can help reduce pain associated with nerve irritation or compression by restoring normal nerve pathways. By freeing up the nerve, it can improve the flexibility and range of motion of the affected joint.
▪ There is a variety of nerve flossing exercises that people can do to target different nerves in the body. Each exercise will vary depending on the condition people are trying to treat.
➡ HOW NERVE FLOSSING CAN BE HELPFUL
▪ Common Conditions nerve flossing can help with include Sciatica, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Ulnar Neuropathy, Median Neuropathy, Cubital tunnel syndrome and many more!
▪ Nerve irritation often stems from compressed or inflamed tissue, repetitive strain or postural misalignment.
▪ Very often patients present at 361 with what they think is a "hamstring" strain, but in actuality it's the sciatic nerve that is irritated, and the surrounding muscles near the nerve begin to adhere to it, causing a tethering of the 2 structures.
▪ The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down the legs to the toes. Irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause sciatica. Sciatica can cause pain in the lower back, legs, calves, and feet.
▪ For example, the PIRIFORMIS muscle, is a small muscle right in the centre of the buttocks. The muscle is very close to the sciatic nerve. This means any compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause piriformis syndrome.
▪ Piriformis syndrome can cause pain in the buttocks, hips, and hamstrings. People may find it painful to sit down or walk up steps.
▪ Nerve flossing may help relieve painful symptoms of piriformis syndrome by increasing range of motion and flexibility.
🛑 Compared to static stretching or strength-focused therapy, nerve flossing focuses specifically on the movement of the nerve within surrounding structures. It’s not about muscle length – it’s about restoring the nerve’s freedom to move.
➡ WHEN SHOULD I DO NERVE FLOSSING?
▪ Nerve flossing is often used in conjunction with other treatments like physical therapy and medication for optimal results. At 361 we often prescribe nerve flossing on top of the manual therapies we offer.
▪ Ensure you seek out a proper assessment and diagnosis to see if prescribing nerve flossing is right for you.