Physio · Wrist & Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Median Nerve Glide

A gentle flossing motion for the median nerve - the one squeezed in carpal tunnel - sliding it smoothly through the wrist and arm to ease tingling and improve tolerance for typing.

BeginnerNo equipment~2 min

Demonstration

How often

Daily, 2 sets of 8-10 slow glides per arm

Stop if

Tingling or numbness that increases or lingers after the exercise, or night symptoms getting worse - stop and see a professional.

How to do it

  1. 1

    Stand or sit tall and raise the affected arm out to the side at shoulder height, elbow bent, palm facing up.

  2. 2

    Start with your wrist bent so fingers point toward your face, like carrying a tray.

  3. 3

    Slowly straighten the elbow while extending the wrist so the fingers point away and down.

  4. 4

    As the arm straightens, gently tilt your head away from that arm.

  5. 5

    Return to the start position as you tilt your head back toward the arm.

  6. 6

    Flow smoothly between positions - a gentle pull is fine, tingling is your signal to shrink the range.

Common mistakes

  • Stretching hard into tingling or numbness instead of staying just short of it
  • Holding the end position - nerves like movement, not static stretch
  • Shrugging the shoulder up during the glide

Not medical advice

These exercises are general education for common aches, not a diagnosis. Start gently, stop anything that causes sharp pain, and see a doctor or physiotherapist if pain is severe, worsening, or hangs around for more than a couple of weeks.