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Median Nerve Glide

Draftsensory85%beginner⬤ moderate evidence
View FHIR resourceFHIR R4 ActivityDefinition — the interoperable form of this exercise

Positions & Range of Motion

Start
seated upright, working arm abducted at the shoulder with elbow flexed, wrist/fingers relaxed, head neutral
End
sequenced glide: shoulder abducted, elbow extended, wrist/fingers extended (palm open toward ceiling), then cervical lateral flexion away from the arm — tension applied at one end while released at the other so the nerve slides
Range of Motion
oscillating neurodynamic slider through combined shoulder abduction, elbow extension, wrist/finger extension, and contralateral cervical side-bend; gentle, non-stretch excursion

How to Perform

Sequential movements to mobilize the median nerve: shoulder ABD → elbow extension → wrist/finger extension → cervical lateral flexion. Neurodynamic mobilization: 100% subjective improvement vs 0% controls (RR 15.00). Significantly reduces CTS symptom severity (MD -1.20) and functional severity (MD -1.06). Most effective combined with splinting.

Watch on YouTube↗

Opens a YouTube search for “Median Nerve Glide”

Starting position: seated

Coaching Cues

  1. 1

    Soft, sliding tension — nerve glides, not stretches

    (verbal)
  2. 2

    Open the hand toward the ceiling, palm up

    (verbal)
  3. 3

    Tip the head away from the working arm at the end

    (verbal)
  4. 4

    Nerve slides through a tube — never crammed against the wall

    (visual)

Evidence-Based Dosing & EMG Data

Recommended Dosing

5-10 reps of sequence, 3-5x daily for 6-12 weeks. Combine with nighttime neutral wrist splinting [Zaheer 2023, Ijaz 2022]

EMG Activation Data

CTS symptom severity MD -1.20 (95% CI -1.72 to -0.67), functional severity MD -1.06 (95% CI -1.53 to -0.60) [Zaheer 2023]

Muscles Involved (3)

Primary Movers

Extensor Digitorum— Active wrist and finger extension during tensioning

Stabilizers

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis— Nerve gliding through carpal tunnel region
Anterior Deltoid— Shoulder positioning during sequence

Easier Variations ↓

1

Single-Joint Glide

Move only wrist or only elbow — not the full sequence. Less neural tension.

Harder Variations ↑

1

Full Sequence with Hold

Hold end-range position for 5-10 seconds for increased neural tensioning.

Target Movements (3)

Wrist ExtensionRadiocarpal Joint
Finger Extension (MCP)Metacarpophalangeal Joints
Shoulder AbductionGlenohumeral Joint

Why This Exercise Matters

Everyday activities this exercise helps you do — essential means it directly trains the capacity the task needs:

TypingGripping a Cup

Goals This Helps With

Rehab, performance, prevention, and mobility goals this exercise supports — essential means it's a cornerstone:

Carpal Tunnel / Wrist Nerve Symptomsrehab

Research Notes

AUDIT[medium]: Headline quantitative efficacy claims (100% vs 0% improvement, RR 15.00, symptom-severity MD -1.20, functional MD -1.06) are attributed inline to Zaheer 2023 and Ijaz 2022, but the structured sources list contains only two generic textbooks (Kisner 2017, ACSM 2021). The primary studies backing the strong claims are absent from the citation set. → Add the Zaheer 2023 and Ijaz 2022 sources to the structured sources array so the strong effect-size claims are traceable to their cited evidence. AUDIT[low]: Description and emgNotes assert strong quantitative claims (100% vs 0% improvement, RR 15.00; symptom severity MD -1.20 [95% CI -1.72 to -0.67]; functional MD -1.06) attributed in-text to Zaheer 2023 / Ijaz 2022, but the linked sources array contains only Kisner 2017 and ACSM 2021. → Link Zaheer 2023 and Ijaz 2022 (the cited primary meta-analytic sources) in the sources array.

Evidence Sources (2)