Breakthrough Movement Therapy Offers Hope for Pinched Nerve Sufferers – Without Going Under the Knife
For millions of Americans living with pinched nerves, the prospect of surgery has long loomed as the only permanent solution. But a revolutionary approach called nerve gliding is changing that narrative, offering patients a non-invasive path to freedom from trapped nerve pain. This targeted movement therapy is gaining recognition among healthcare providers as an effective alternative to surgical intervention, helping patients reclaim their mobility and quality of life through gentle, precise exercises.
Understanding the Science Behind Nerve Gliding
A nerve glide, also known as nerve flossing, is a type of movement that works the tension out of nerves. The purpose of flossing nerves is to improve neurodynamics. Neurodynamics are the ways that nerves work in the body, how they function with the musculoskeletal systems, and how they fire and move. Unlike traditional stretching that can sometimes aggravate sensitive nerves, nerve flossing, also called neural gliding or nerve gliding, you use simple exercises to stretch and move your nerves in order to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Nerve flossing involves gentle, controlled movements intended to glide the nerve back and forth within its natural path. This method can help reduce adhesions or restrictions around the nerve, promoting smoother movement, improved function, and, ultimately, less pain. The goal is not to forcefully stretch the nerve, but instead to encourage healthy, pain-free motion and restore balance to the surrounding tissues.
The Revolutionary Impact on Pinched Nerve Treatment
Nerve gliding exercises are gentle stretches or movements designed to relieve nerve tension, provide pain relief, and improve mobility in the affected area. These gentle exercises are crucial for managing conditions like radial neuropathy, cubital tunnel syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome. They aim to mobilize different nerves, or bundle of nerves (like brachial plexus) that have become immobile or stuck due to adhesions or inflammation along their pathway, such as the ulnar and radial nerve.
The effectiveness of this approach has been demonstrated in clinical research. A 2022 study published in the journal PLoS One looked at 88 people with neck and arm pain. However, half of the participants also performed a nerve gliding exercise guided by their physical therapist. After 4 weeks, both groups showed significant improvement in pain, disability, and neck range of motion. However, the group that also performed the nerve gliding exercises, improved by 25% more than those who only did the neck strengthening exercises.
Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short
Often, nerves become tight and in pain after an injury. When you’re recovering from an injury, the nerves are one of the last things to finally recover. Often, nerves become tight and in pain after an injury. When you’re recovering from an injury, the nerves are one of the last things to finally recover. This is why many patients continue to experience symptoms even after muscles, joints, and bones have healed.
This is because the nerves are sensitive to a decrease in blood flow or being in a static posture. Movement increases blood flow which also helps to reduce any swelling or inflammation that may still be hanging around the nerve even after bones, joints, muscles, and tendons have healed.
The Chiropractic First Approach to Nerve Freedom
At Pinched Nerve Grand Rapids, Dr. James Heath and his team at Chiropractic First understand that every patient’s nerve entrapment is unique. It’s the fact that we evaluate each person individually and use different techniques based on what you actually need. We evaluate each person individually instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Heath uses different techniques based on what you actually need, not just the same adjustment for everyone who walks through the door.
Dr. James Heath has been helping Grand Rapids families since 1998—right here in Wyoming, at the same location where he started his practice. Over two decades, he’s helped thousands of people get their lives back from chronic pain. This extensive experience has shown the practice that you don’t need medications or surgery in the greater majority of cases. Rather, you need a solution that resolves the underlying cause of your pain.
Evidence-Based Results You Can Trust
Research continues to support the effectiveness of nerve gliding techniques. The majority of studies reported improvements in pain, pressure pain threshold, and function of CTS patients after nerve gliding, combined or not with additional therapies. When comparing nerve gliding with other therapies, 2 studies reported better results from standard care and 1 from use of a wrist splint, whereas 3 studies reported greater and earlier pain relief and function after nerve gliding in comparison with conservative techniques, such as ultrasound and wrist splint.
With respect to the clinical implications of these findings, it is interesting to note that generally all the RCTs that looked at neural mobilization for upper quadrant (i.e., cervical spine, shoulder girdle, and upper limb) problems, with the exception of one study, concluded that there was limited evidence for therapeutic efficacy. For neural mobilization of the median nerve in people with carpal tunnel syndrome, three papers supported the use of active nerve and flexor tendon gliding exercises of the forearm.
What to Expect During Treatment
Nerve gliding exercises work best for chronic symptoms or pain that has been around for several weeks or months. If your pain is new and severe, you may need more help to calm things down before trying nerve glides. The key to success lies in proper execution and consistency.
Make sure your movements are slow and controlled. Jerking or sudden motions could irritate your nerves. Listen to your body and stop if you experience any pain or discomfort. This is why working with experienced practitioners like those at Chiropractic First is crucial for achieving optimal results.
The Path Forward: Conservative Care That Works
Dr. Heath practices with passion, total commitment and hard work. He cares for you and your family as he cares for his own. This personal approach to care, combined with over 25 years of experience serving the Grand Rapids community, makes Chiropractic First uniquely positioned to help patients explore nerve gliding as a viable alternative to surgery.
We take the time to understand your specific situation, explain what we’re doing and why, and create a treatment plan that makes sense for your lifestyle and goals. We focus on getting you better, not on how many times we can get you to come back.
The nerve gliding revolution represents more than just another treatment option—it embodies a fundamental shift toward addressing the root cause of nerve entrapment rather than merely managing symptoms. For those suffering from pinched nerves in the Grand Rapids area, this innovative approach offers genuine hope for lasting relief without the risks and recovery time associated with surgical intervention.