NERVE FLOSSING 
        NERVE FLOSSING IS DONE TO STRETCH AND RELEASE TENSION ON A NERVE THAT 
        HAS BEEN ENTRAPPED OR COMPRESSED BY SURROUNDING MUSCLES, CONNECTIVE 
        TISSUE, OR SCAR TISSUE. THIS CAN CAUSE RADIATING PAIN GOING THROUGH THE 
        ARM OR LEG, AND IS CALLED PERIPHERAL NERVE ENTRAPMENT. BY PULLING ON THE 
        NERVE FROM ONE END AND ALLOWING THE OTHER END TO REMAIN RELAXED WE 
        CAN FREE THE NERVE FROM ANY ADHESIONS ALONG ITS PATH.  
         
        1.SCIATIC NERVE 
        The nerve roots exit your vertebral column at the lower part of your back and combine to form the 
        largest nerve in your body. It travels down through the muscles in your buttocks and the back of the 
        thigh, calf, and foot. The sciatic is one of the most common nerves to become entrapped as it travels 
        through or by the piriformis muscle.   
        First you want to sit down. Stretch one leg at a time. Straighten out your leg (kick it forward), point 
        your toes toward your head, and look up toward the ceiling all in one smooth, slow motion. This will 
        pull the sciatic nerve toward your foot. Next, bend your knee, point your toes toward the floor, slump 
        your upper body down, and bring your chin to your chest. These actions will floss the sciatic nerve 
        back upwards. 
        Remember to use slow gentle movements and only 10 repetitions at a time. Repeat 2-3 times per day.  
        *If you are experiencing sciatic pain you should also be doing a piriformis stretch and low back 
        exercises if you can tolerate them. If your condition is extreme or persistent you should be examined 
        by a qualified doctor. 
         
        2.ULNAR NERVE 
        The nerve roots exit your vertebral column in your neck and combine to form the ulnar nerve in your 
        shoulder. It travels through the shoulder, down the arm, and into the wrist and hand. It innervates the 
        skin of the pinky, ring finger and part of the middle finger. When irritated it can produce pain in the 
        neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, or tingling in these fingers.  
        Make a circle with your pointing finger and thumb while holding other three fingers in the air, like an 
        okay sign. Rotate your hand backwards bringing it towards your face leading with your pinky finger. 
        Place the “circle” over your eye, like making a mask.  
        Remember to use slow gentle movements and only 10 repetitions at a time. Repeat 2-3 times per day.  
        *If you are experiencing radiating arm pain neck exercises may be beneficial as well. If your 
        condition is extreme or persistent you should be examined by a qualified doctor. 
         
         
         
        3. MEDIAN NERVE 
        The nerve roots exit your vertebral column in your neck and combine to form the Median nerve in 
        your shoulder. It travels through the shoulder, down the arm, and into the wrist and hand. It 
        innervates the skin of the thumb, index, and part of the middle fingers. When irritated it can produce 
        pain and tingling in the thumb and index finger, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome (which can be 
        related).  
        Take your arm out to the side of you at ninety degrees. With your palm facing up and keeping your 
        fingers straight, bend your wrist up and down. If you need more of a stretch bend your neck to the 
        opposite side, and move your arm slightly behind you.   
        Remember to use slow gentle movements and only 10 repetitions at a time. Repeat 2-3 times per day.  
        *If you are experiencing thumb and index finger symptoms carpal tunnel exercises may be beneficial 
        as well. If your condition is extreme or persistent you should be examined by a qualified doctor. 
         
        4.RADIAL NERVE 
        The nerve roots exit your vertebral column in your neck and combine to form the Radial nerve in your 
        shoulder. It travels through the shoulder, down the arm, and into the wrist and hand. It innervates the 
        skin on the back of the arm and forearm, as well as the back of your hand. When irritated it can 
        produce pain and tingling in these areas. 
        Take your arm out to the side of you at ninety degrees. With your palm down up and keeping your 
        fingers straight, bend your wrist up and down. If you need more of a stretch bend your neck to the 
        opposite side, and move your arm slightly behind you.   
        Remember to use slow gentle movements and only 10 repetitions at a time. Repeat 2-3 times per day.  
        *If your condition is extreme or persistent you should be examined by a qualified doctor.