Median Nerve Exercises

Median Nerve Glide

Purpose: Encourage gentle median nerve mobility (often helpful after carpal tunnel release) to reduce sensitivity and restore comfortable movement.

Equipment: None.

How to do it (gentle, no sharp tingling):
1) Start with your arm at your side, elbow bent, palm facing you.
2) Slowly straighten the elbow while extending the wrist and fingers (as if showing your palm forward).
3) If comfortable, gently tilt your head away from that arm to increase the glide; tilt back toward to reduce.
4) Return to the start position.

Intensity rule: You may feel a mild “stretchy” nerve sensation, but avoid provoking lasting tingling or numbness.

Dosage: 5 sets of 10 reps (or seconds/holds if that is how your therapist prescribed it). Rest 30–60 seconds between sets.

Progression:
- Increase elbow straightening first, then add wrist/finger extension.
- Use head movement only if tolerated.

Comfort and safety:
Move slowly and stay in a comfortable range. A mild stretch or light muscle fatigue is okay; sharp pain is not.
Stop and contact your care team if you notice increasing swelling, redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or new/worsening numbness/tingling.
Follow any post-op precautions, lifting limits, and motion restrictions given by your surgeon or therapist.