Nerve flossing for neck pain
Welcome to Day 4 of our Winter Wellness Challenge!
Today, we are introducing you to nerve flossing.
You may not be familiar with this handy technique so please let us explain it quickly before we dive into our video tutorial.
Nerve flossing, also known as nerve mobilization, generally means helping the nerves get unstuck from surrounding soft tissue. We perform a gliding movement in a lengthened and shortened position to achieve these results.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, nerve flossing may be beneficial for you:
Numbness and tingling in the arms, wrists, and hands
Elbow and wrist pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Neck dysfunction and pain
Pain at night
Altered strength in the arm/wrist
We got you curious?
Good, the lets get started. All you need is a bit of space to spread out your arms and hit the play button on the video below.
Benefits
Reduces pain: By mobilizing the nerve, it can reduce inflammation and pain associated with nerve entrapment.
Improves range of motion: Helps to restore the normal movement of the nerve within its sheath.
Enhances circulation: Improves blood flow to the nerve, promoting healing.
Prevents scar tissue formation: Regular movement can prevent the formation of adhesions and scar tissue around the nerve.
It is normal to experience symptoms (e.g., numbness or tingling) while performing nerve flossing exercises. However, you should not feel pain when there is no stress or stretch on the nerve. As a general rule of thumb, symptoms should subside five to ten minutes after completing the exercises.
If you feel pain or ongoing symptoms after completing the exercises, you may be doing too many repetitions or performing them too forcefully. Be sure to listen to your body and take note of how you feel. This will help determine the appropriate number of repetitions and the intensity at which you should perform the exercises (Hinge Health, Inc. 2024).
Hinge Health, Inc. (2024). Nerve flossing exercises physical therapists love. Hinge Health. https://www.hingehealth.com/resources/articles/nerve-flossing/
Disclaimer:
The information in this video is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise or treatment. If you experience pain or discomfort, stop immediately and seek medical advice.