Overview: Everything You Need to Know
Neural mobilisations (also called neurodynamics or nerve gliding techniques) are physiotherapy techniques used to improve the movement and health of the nervous system.
Your nerves are not fixed cables — they are designed to slide, glide, stretch, and adapt as you move. When a nerve becomes irritated, compressed, or sensitised, this normal movement can be reduced, leading to pain, pins-and-needles, burning sensations, or weakness.
The Goal: Neural mobilisation techniques gently and progressively restore normal nerve movement by guiding the nerve through specific positions. The goal is not to stretch the nerve aggressively, but to improve its ability to tolerate movement and load again.
These techniques originated from research in neurodynamics, particularly the work of David Butler and Michael Shacklock, and are now widely used in modern musculoskeletal and neurological physiotherapy.
Evidence & Research Support
- JOSPT: A systematic review found that neural mobilisation can reduce pain and improve function in conditions involving nerve mechanosensitivity, especially when combined with exercise.
- Manual Therapy: Research reported significant improvements in pain and disability for patients with cervical radiculopathy (pinched neck nerves) following these techniques.
- Physical Therapy in Sport: Studies have shown neural mobilisation to be effective in reducing symptoms in athletes with nerve-related lower limb pain, such as sciatic nerve irritation.
Benefits in Physiotherapy
- Reduction of nerve-related pain: Helps calm irritated nerves contributing to burning, shooting, or sharp pain.
- Improved mobility and flexibility: Restores normal nerve movement during daily and sporting activities.
- Reduced pins-and-needles or numbness: Improves nerve tolerance to different postures.
- Better movement confidence: Helps patients move without fear of triggering shooting symptoms.
- Improved function: Allows better participation in strengthening and exercise programs.
Conditions & Clinical Uses
Your physiotherapist in Pretoria, Moot, or Mayville will always assess whether nerve-related symptoms are contributing to your pain. Common uses include:
- Sciatic nerve irritation and sciatica
- Cervical or lumbar radiculopathy (nerve root pain)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome (elbow)
- Thoracic outlet-related symptoms
- Post-surgical nerve sensitivity
- Sports-related nerve entrapments
Frequently Asked Questions
No — it should feel controlled and tolerable. While mild symptom reproduction can occur during the glide, treatment should never aggressively worsen your pain.
Stretching focuses on muscle length. Neural mobilisation focuses on nerve movement and tolerance. Stretching a nerve aggressively can actually worsen symptoms; gliding is much more gentle.
Yes, in many cases. When sciatica involves nerve irritation rather than serious pathology, nerve gliding can be a vital part of a rehab plan to restore movement.
Often yes. Gentle nerve-gliding exercises may be prescribed to support your recovery between sessions at our Mayville practice.
Address Nerve Irritation Today
Restore normal movement to your nervous system. Book your assessment in Mayville today.
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