An easy way to unwind
F LOSSING your nerves? If it sounds like a stretch, well, it is. An exercise you can subtly do at your desk, where most of us are marooned these days, is an effective way to ease sciatica and other pains triggered by nerves that bunch up or get caught on muscle or scar tissue.
“Basically, when a nerve gets entrapped, it can swell, ” says physiatrist Jason W. Siefferman, MD, clinical assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine. Nerve flossing, also known as gliding, uses slow, repeated movements to free up the nerve and stretch it, making it more resilient and easing discomfort.
“It’s kind of like stretching a muscle,” Siefferman says. “As part of a comprehensive plan, it can be a very helpful technique.”
Daniel Fleck, a physical therapist at Manhattan’s High Performance Physical Therapy office, says his patients benefit from the technique, whether they’re suffering from sciatica, carpal tun- nel syndrome or hamstring injuries.
For leg pain, he has patients sit down and, stretching out one leg at a time, slowly point their toes while bending their heads in the same downward direction. Then they’ll switch, flexing their toes and, at the same time, bending their heads back. This should be repeated, slowly, 10 times, once a day.
“Most physical therapists use [flossing], and if not, shame on them,” Fleck says. “Just as we stretch our muscles, we need to mobilize the nerves.”
At no point, he and Siefferman say, should these movements be painful. Nor is nerve flossing recommended for people with spinal injuries or malignant tumors. As with any new program, check with a medical professional first to see if it’s right for you.