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Nerve mobility Gentle ~3 min

Median nerve glide

Encourage healthy median nerve mobility with a slow sequence of wrist and finger positions. Never push into symptoms.

Equipment: No special equipment

Do this exercise

1 set × 5 reps · hold 2s each. Watch the demo and tap through at your own pace — we log your reps, holds, and how it felt.

Prefer the classic step-by-step timer?

Soft fist, thumb tucked.

Ready when you are

We'll guide you through 7 short steps — about 39 seconds of guided motion. Pause or stop anytime — nothing is uploaded.

Have ready: No special equipment

Contraindications & stop if…

When not to do this

  • Active nerve injury without clinician clearance
  • Post-surgical nerve repair before clearance

Stop if

  • Increased tingling, numbness, or burning
  • Symptoms travel further up the arm
  • Sharp wrist pain
How does the hand feel right now?
No painWorst pain

Prefer a quick pacing gate before the timer? Use full guided session — it asks for pain, stiffness, and fatigue in a few taps first (education only, not clearance).

Why it helps

Nerves need to glide through tissue. Gentle, non-painful glides may help with sensitivity and stiffness around the median nerve pathway.

What it should feel like

A light stretch along the forearm and palm. Stop the moment tingling or numbness increases.

Target area

Wrist, forearm, fingers

Stop if you notice

  • Increased tingling, numbness, or burning
  • Symptoms travel further up the arm
  • Sharp wrist pain

Get clearance first if

  • Active nerve injury without clinician clearance
  • Post-surgical nerve repair before clearance
Instructions, dose & tipsSetup, how many to do, and common mistakes
Explainer

How to do it well

Goal, setup, dose, and the things therapists most often have to repeat. This is education — not a replacement for your clinician's plan.

Before you start

  • Sit upright with your shoulder relaxed.
  • Stop immediately if tingling or numbness increases.
  • Move slowly — this is not a stretch contest.

Today's dose

Reps
5
Sets
1
Hold
2s
Sessions / day
2
Rest
45s
Pain ceiling
2/10

Common mistakes

  • Pushing into tingling instead of backing off
  • Adding the thumb stretch when wrist already feels pinchy
  • Doing it too many times per day — nerves don't like overuse

Easier version

  • Skip the final thumb stretch
  • Reduce to 3 reps and 1 session per day
  • Stop at the wrist-extension step if symptoms appear

How did this feel?

One tap. Saved as a question for your next visit when relevant — never auto-shared.