Describe Nerve Glides

Hands can often be a source of pain and discomfort. This can be due to arthritis or strained or overworked nerves. Nerve gliding exercises can help to relieve some of this pain.

Nerves

• Three nerves allow the hand to function: the median nerve, the ulnar nerve and the radial nerve. The median nerve is the nerve of the upper limb area, while the ulnar nerve connects the hand to the lower part of the arm. The radial nerve controls the muscles in the back of the hand.

Nerve Gliding

• Nerve gliding is a type of exercise that aims to keep these nerves in working condition. If patients complain of pain, numbness, coldness or tingling in the fingers and hands, then nerve gliding may be beneficial.

Features

• Some nerve gliding exercises involve creating tension, while others involve easing tension. Nerve gliding exercises should be performed three to four days a week, and each exercise only takes two to three minutes.

Considerations

• Nerve gliding should be performed in a quiet environment when a person is feeling relaxed. If patients overstretch, or create too much tension, they will experience the very symptoms they are trying to avoid.

Exercises

• A nerve gliding exercise for the median nerve involves sweeping the arm out as far as it can go, facing the palm upward and pulling the wrist back and forth in repetitions of 10 or more. An ulnar nerve exercise involves sticking the arm straight out, then bringing it in to cup the ears in repetitions of 10. A radial nerve move involves letting the arms hang with the palms facing outward, then pushing down toward the floor in repetitions of 10.

Warning

• According to Dr. Peter C. Amadio of the Mayo Clinic, nerve gliding exercises aimed at alleviating symptoms of carpal tunnel will probably not work. Nerve gliding may work early in treatment, but it has the potential to do more harm than good as it progresses.