What is nerve mobilization?
Nerve Mobilization is a type of nerve therapy that aims to specifically locate and treat compression of nerves all throughout the body. The treatment is performed by applying gentle, precise pressure to the nerve in order to glide or floss it through the nerve sheath, which is made of connective tissue and surrounds the nerve.
One of the most common places for a nerve compression is on the sciatic nerve, also referred to as sciatica. If there is a compression, it can send abnormal signals to the structure that it innervates whether it is a muscle, connective tissue, an organ, or even parts of the brain. These compressions can cause an abnormal change in pressure within the nerve and may cause pain, weakness, numbness, tingling and/or burning and therefore can cause a problem in the structure and function of what it connects.
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How do nerves cause pain?
The origin of pain is often misunderstood and there is new research that suggests a lot of it relates back to the central nervous system and the way our brain connects to the region of pain. If there is a problem in a nerve, it will repetitively make a muscle spasm, may cause connective tissue to be restricted and/or inflammed, can decrease the functioning in an organ system(s), and/or areas of the brain could possibly be inhibited.
Typically, Nerve pain does not resolve on it’s own despite self care techniques such as rest, ice, heat, and pain medications. This is due to the simple fact that tissue will often bunch up into tight spots that the body can’t dissipate naturally. Pharmaceutical pain medications and basic self-help first aid may relieve the pain temporarily, but it ultimately will not be able to release the 3-D fascial restrictions. When these restrictions go untreated for long periods of time, there is often a spider web like strain pattern in various directions making the symptoms even worse over time.
How to treat nerve pain and get relief with Nerve Mobilization?
By performing a nerve manipulation on the nerve fixation, the nerve would move more smoothly through it’s sheath without restriction and the neural pathway would have proper signaling to the compromised structure that it innervates. This should improve function and decrease nerve related symptoms such as pain in the arm or leg, numbness, tingling, and/or burning.
However, a trained professional in Nerve Mobilization in Nashville can provide pain relief by mobilizing areas of tension on the nerve directly to restore elasticity, mobility and pain free movement.
Is this treatment right for you?
Our bodies aren’t capable of working out tight areas of tissue on their own, so nerve pain rarely disappears without treatment. Prescription medication offers a temporary fix, but ultimately will not get rid of the pain. When nerve pain goes untreated, symptoms worsen over time.
This is why it’s important to consult a physical therapist for treatment options as soon as possible. If you think nerve mobilization may benefit you, contact Steve Kravitz Physical Therapy today. We can get you scheduled for a consultation with one of our licensed Nashville, TN physical therapists, and get you on track to living a pain-free life.