The Radial Nerve Floss exercise is a gentle but powerful way to restore mobility to the radial nerve, which travels from the neck through the upper arm and forearm to the back of the hand. When this nerve becomes irritated or restricted, patients may experience pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arm, wrist, or fingers. Radial nerve flossing alternates between tensioning and releasing the nerve — similar to pulling dental floss back and forth — to reduce adhesions and restore proper nerve gliding. For more information about peripheral nerve entrapments, see the Cleveland Clinic’s overview.
In this tutorial, Dr. Ryley Perryman from Life in Motion Chiropractic demonstrates the correct technique for performing the radial nerve floss. This exercise is often included in treatment plans for patients with arm pain, symptoms similar to tennis elbow, or nerve tension resulting from prolonged computer use or repetitive strain.
How to Perform
Step 1: Stand tall with your shoulders relaxed and arms at your sides.
Step 2: Extend the affected arm out to the side with the elbow straight.
Step 3: Internally rotate the arm so that your thumb points toward the floor, then flex the wrist and fingers downward to tension the nerve.
Step 4: Tilt your head toward the extended arm to create slack, then tilt your head away to add gentle tension.
Step 5: Move slowly and rhythmically between these two positions for 10–15 reps, never forcing the movement or pushing into sharp pain.
Radial nerve flossing helps restore normal neural mobility, reduces irritation, and improves blood flow to the nerve. This exercise is most effective when combined with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and postural correction strategies. For additional technical information, visit Physiopedia’s neurodynamics page.
Benefits of Radial Nerve Flossing
- Reduces nerve entrapment symptoms in the arm and wrist
- Improves forearm and wrist flexibility
- Relieves tingling, numbness, and radiating pain
- Supports recovery from repetitive strain injuries
- Complements chiropractic and physical therapy care
Life in Motion Chiropractic is located at 27620 Five Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154. We help patients from Livonia, Redford, and Farmington Hills recover from nerve-related arm pain using chiropractic care, neurodynamics, and exercises like radial nerve flossing.
Schedule your appointment today to discover how nerve flossing can be incorporated into your arm pain treatment plan.
