Nerve Flossing and Chiropractic Care: Keeping Your Nervous System Moving Freely

At Momentum Health, we often remind patients that movement isn’t just about muscles and joints — it’s also about how well your nerves can move. When nerves become irritated or restricted, they can create pain, tingling, or weakness that limits performance and comfort. One simple yet powerful technique to help restore normal nerve motion is called nerve flossing or gliding.

What Is Nerve Flossing?

Nerve flossing, or neural gliding, involves specific movements designed to gently mobilize nerves as they travel through muscles, fascia, and joints. Think of it as “flossing” the nerve through its pathway — promoting better glide, reducing tension, and improving blood flow to the nerve tissue.

Nerves are different from muscle tissue in that they don’t have contractile properties.  A muscle can stretch, however a nerve cannot. Think of an electrical cable. When a nerve gets “stuck” due to inflammation, poor posture, or past injury, it can’t move freely, leading to symptoms that may mimic tendon or muscle problems. By restoring mobility, nerve flossing helps the entire neuromusculoskeletal system function more efficiently.

Common Nerve Flossing Techniques

• Radial Nerve Floss: Useful for forearm or wrist pain. The exercise involves extending the elbow and wrist while tilting the head away to tension the radial nerve, then releasing that tension by bending the elbow and wrist.
• Median Nerve Floss: Commonly used for carpal tunnel–type symptoms. The arm is stretched out to the side with the wrist extended while the head gently tilts in the opposite direction.
• Ulnar Nerve Floss: Helpful for tingling in the ring and little fingers. The arm is bent in a “waiter’s tray” position while the head moves side-to-side to glide the nerve.
• Sciatic Nerve Floss: Used for lower back or leg symptoms. The exercise alternates between straightening and bending the leg while moving the neck to help the sciatic nerve glide freely.

Each movement should be slow, controlled, and pain-free — never forced or aggressive. These exercises are best performed after assessment and guidance from your chiropractor or therapist to ensure proper technique.

How Nerve Flossing Fits with Chiropractic Care

At Momentum Health, we use nerve flossing as part of a broader approach that includes manual adjusting, soft tissue therapy (such as Active Release Techniques), and corrective exercise. Together, these treatments aim to restore optimal joint motion, reduce nerve irritation, and improve overall movement patterns.