Assisted Median Nerve Glide | Assisted stretch in 3D
Assisted Median Nerve Glide: supine, median nerve pathway. Preparation, 4 movement phases, points to check and cautions, with a 3D model you can pause and rotate.
Position and focus
Supine · Median nerve pathway
Supported, small rhythmic movements for the median nerve pathway.
Starting position
The client lies on their back. Stand on the client's left and support the left arm out to the side, a little below shoulder height, with the elbow bent and the palm facing up.
Movement phases
1. Support the arm
Support the forearm and upper arm in a position where the shoulder does not hunch.
2. Small movements
Straighten the elbow and extend the wrist, then bend the elbow back, in a small range.
3. Slightly larger range
Straighten the elbow a little further, as long as the feeling in the fingertips does not change.
4. Return the arm
Make the movement smaller and bring the arm back beside the body.
What the trainer checks
Watch the client's face and ask about any numbness in the hand or fingers. Also check that the shoulder does not hunch.
Instructor information
Trainer position
Stand on the client's left (the side shown in the 3D) with your feet apart front to back, at a height that suits the table. Move by shifting your body weight rather than holding with the arms alone.
Contact and support
Support the forearm from below near the wrist and the upper arm from above the elbow.
Stabilisation
Open the arm only as far as the shoulder stays on the table.
Compensation
Shoulder hunching, neck tension, holding the breath.
Easier option
Reduce the range and let the weight of the leg or arm rest on a cushion or the table. Go back to checking a pain-free starting position.
Cues and consent
Tell the client where you will touch and which way you will move, and say, 'Tell me straight away if you feel any pain or discomfort.' Confirm consent before touching and before moving.
Stop criteria
Return to the starting position immediately if the client reports sharp pain, numbness, weakness, a pinching feeling in the joint, dizziness, shortness of breath or anxiety, or asks to stop.
Caution
Work within your qualifications, contract and studio procedures, and check medical history, medication and any pain before starting. This is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Do not perform unfamiliar techniques from the 3D alone. Think of a nerve glide as sliding rather than stretching, and keep the movements small. Stop if you feel numbness, tingling or pain, or if a sensation stays after moving. If you are receiving treatment for numbness or pain, check with your healthcare professional first.
These English notes describe a prototype model. Stretch and foam roller lessons have not yet been reviewed by the supervising instructors. They are not medical advice or an individual exercise prescription.
References and scope
Basson A et al. The Effectiveness of Neural Mobilization for Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017 ↗
A review of research on nerve gliding movements (neural mobilisation): combining joint movements to move the nerve pathway a little at a time.
