Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises – Lower Limb

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Nerve flossing gliding exercises are useful for improving mobility and reducing certain types of pain in the lower limb. This article is useful for anyone that wants to understand nerve flossing gliding exercises to help relieve pain or to accompany any therapy sessions. A systematic review by Ellis and Hing (2008) concluded that neural mobilisations had a positive benefit for people with nerve pain. This occurs as the nerves that are compressed are more relieved and in turn reduces the chance of nerve damage in the future. Furthermore, Jeong et al. (2016) conducted a study to determine physical function and lower back health for 2 groups where one group used techniques  just with lumbar segmental exercise and the other used the same exercises as well as nerve flossing exercises. It was found that the application of the nerve flossing exercises improved health functions of the subjects within the group that used them significantly. These exercises for the sciatic nerve helped to promote healing of soft tissue as well as decrease sensitivity by decreasing compression of scar tissue. These methods are recommended for anyone experiencing lower back or radiating pain. 

Sciatic Nerve Neural Flossing Gliding Exercises

• Neural mobilisation is unilateral in sitting SLUMP with dorsiflexion –
  Sit on a chair. Allow your body to slouch forwards and place your hands together behind your back and bend your head forward. Slowly straighten one leg as you pull toes towards you and maintain the position when you feel a gentle stretch.

• Supine sciatic nerve glide –
  Lay on your back with a knee and hip bent at 90 degrees. Keeping the foot relaxed, straighten the knee without moving the thigh. When the knee is extended at its most, actively pull the toes toward your shin. When you reach the point where you feel a pulling sensation along your leg, let go and return to the starting position and repeat.

• Sciatic nerve glide in supine with hips and knees in 90-90 position –
  Lay on your back with your knees and hips resting on support and bent to 90 degrees. Straighten one knee as much as you can then pull the toes toward your shin. Let go when you reach the point where you feel a pulling sensation along your leg, then return to the starting position and repeat.

• Neural mobilisation of the sciatic nerve (ADD-Int. Rot) in SLR –
  Lay on your back and wrap a looped elastic around the foot.? Hold the end of the elastic with your hand and lift the leg up towards the ceiling until a light stretch is felt. Slowly turn your leg towards the inside and pull on the belt to move the leg towards the inside.

Femoral Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises

• Femoral nerve neural mobilisation in unilateral active PKB (prone knee bend) –

Lay on your front on an elevated surface with one leg on the bed and the other leg straight in contact with the floor. Bend your knee of the horizontal leg (heel to buttock) and maintain the position when you feel a stretching sensation. Repeat.

• Prone femoral nerve glide –

Lay on your stomach with bent elbows (so you are resting on your forearms). Start by bending the knee of the involved side as much as possible, keeping the thigh on the table. Next, lower the leg back on the table at the same time as you lift the trunk up by pushing with your forearms. Alternate between these motions, bending the knee and extending the trunk.

Cutaneous Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises

• Lateral cutaneous nerve floss exercise (side bend) in lunge position

Start in a lunge position and push your hips forwards to stretch the front of your legs. From this position, raise the opposite arm to the leg that is forward over your head. Gently side bend away from the side you are stretching and bend your spine forwards towards the floor. From here, extend the spine so you are leaning back and then return to the starting position.

Sural Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises

• Sural nerve flossing gliding exercises (DF-Inv) in SLR –

Lay on your back. Pull the affected knee towards the chest, supported by your hands. Gently straighten leg by lifting foot towards the ceiling until a light stretch is felt. Slowly turn your foot towards the inside and bend your ankle towards you.

Peroneal Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises

• Peroneal nerve flossing gliding exercises (DF/Inv) in SLR –

Lay on your back. Pull the affected knee towards the chest, supported by your hands. Gently straighten leg by lifting foot towards the ceiling until a light stretch is felt. Slowly point your foot and turn it towards the inside.

• Peroneal nerve flossing gliding exercises (PF/Inv) in SLUMP –

Sit on a chair Interlock your fingers and place your hands together behind your back, allow your lower back to slouch and bend your head forward. Slowly straighten one leg until you feel a gentle stretch, Slowly point your foot and turn it towards the inside.

• Lower extremity nerve flossing gliding exercises –

Lay down on your side with legs slightly bent. Extend the top knee and then flex the hip to bring the leg forward. Let it rest on the floor. Pull the foot up (toward your shin) until you feel a pulling sensation along your leg, then extend your foot to relax. Alternate these 2-foot position.

Tibial Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises

• Tibial nerve flossing gliding exercises (DF/Ev) in SLUMP –

Sit on a chair. Place your interlock your fingers and place your hands behind your back. Allow your lower back to slouch and bend your head forward. Slowly straighten one leg until you feel a gentle stretch, turn your leg and your foot towards the outside and bend your ankle towards you.

• Tibial nerve flossing gliding exercises (Ext Rot + DF/Ev) in SLR –

Lay on your back. Pull the affected knee towards chest supported with your hands behind it. Gently straighten leg by lifting foot towards the ceiling until a light stretch is felt. Slowly turn your leg and your foot towards the outside and bend your ankle towards you.

For more information about Lower Limb Exercises Nerve Flossing Gliding Exercises

This article was written by our team of specialist therapists at Perfect Balance Clinic. If you would like more specific advice about how our team can help you with this condition or symptoms you may be having, please complete the contact form below and one of the team will get back to you shortly.