Have you ever had anybody, or anything, that just..... got... on... your... last... nerve...?🧬🧬
I think we've all been there....but have you really? Because people who literally have had LITERAL nerve PAIN really really know what I'm talking about! Nerve pain is NOT fun, and it is heavily influenced by Nerve tension.
What is nerve tension?
Neural Tension refers to the tension that comes from nerves that are not sliding or gliding through surrounding tissues optimally. In the photo below, take a look at the nerve (yellow) that is surrounded by musculature and fascia. The fascia is not as easily seen here, but the nerve itself has fascia that surrounds it. This nerve needs to be able to glide easily through these muscles, fascia with each movement that we have.
How is neural tension created?
Neural Tension is created through movements that put the nerve at its max stretch limit, along with any muscular or fascial restrictions in the tissues that are already surrounding the nerve. Peripheral nerves come from the spinal cord and through our extremities. Thus, through the movements in our extremities, it tenses the nerves on/off. Furthermore, through the movement in the spinal cord! Since our spinal cord runs through our spine and up into our neck and head, it is even more tensed through the movement at our back, neck and our head.
I have nerve tension and nerve pain, what can I do about it?
There are a number of treatments that we can do regarding nerve pain and nerve tension. First, make sure you have been thoroughly evaluated and assessed by a licensed Physical Therapist. One way we can treat nerve tension is through nerve gliding. I have included a video regarding a gentle nerve gliding technique for the sciatic nerve.
*Disclaimer: Nerve gliding MAY flare up your symptoms...please check with your provider!*
Second, we can foam roll along the areas, or work through the muscle tissue, of the muscles surrounding the nerve. The video below is a video demonstrating a foam rolling technique for the hamstrings to assist not only the Hamstrings, but also the sciatic nerve!
https://youtu.be/xfpo89nKZn8
Third, we can strengthen our core, segmental strength in the spine, and re-educate our movements to help improve the stability at the spinal level and improve the stability and strength in the system along those areas to prevent the nerve from flaring up. Stay tuned for more on that in the future!...😉👩🏼⚕️
Jennifer Greene, DPT, PT, CFMT
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