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Median Nerve Glide exercise demonstration
Exercise library

Median Nerve Glide

A gentle nerve mobilisation moving the wrist and fingers through positions that glide the median nerve.

Area
Wrist
Stage
Early rehab
Equipment
No equipment

Typical dose: 1 set × 8 reps · twice a day · slow, no forcing. This is a general starting point, not a plan matched to your condition or stage.

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How to do it

No equipment needed - just a bit of space.

Sit or stand tall with your arm out to the side at shoulder height, elbow straight and palm facing up, with your wrist and fingers relaxed.

  1. Gently bend your wrist and fingers back, as if signalling 'stop', while tilting your head towards that same arm.
  2. As you let the wrist and fingers relax back to the start, tilt your head away to the other side.
  3. Move smoothly between the two positions, like a gentle see-saw.

Form cues

  • The movement is smooth and rhythmic, never forced or held at the end.
  • You feel a light pull or gentle stretch that eases off as you return.
  • Keep the movement small if your symptoms are easily stirred up, and larger only if it stays comfortable.

Common mistakes

  • Pushing into a strong stretch or holding the end position.
  • Doing lots of fast repetitions and flaring your symptoms afterwards.
  • Carrying on through rising pins and needles - a nerve glide should not provoke strong tingling.

Safety: Stop and message your physio if the pins and needles or numbness sharply worsen, spread further into the hand or arm, or do not settle soon after you stop.

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