How to Do Sciatic Nerve Flossing (and Why it's Helpful for Back & Hamstring Pain)

Sciatic nerve flossing exercises are important to help restore normal motion to the Sciatic nerve and surrounding tissue. By doing so we can then help restore better function to both the lower back, the hamstrings, and the rest of the lower leg.
In today's video, I demonstrate how to do a really potent sciatic nerve flossing exercise and discuss why it's helpful to practice. Like any mobility exercise, it's important to also have a test/re-test movement to help you gauge how effective this mobility exercise can be!
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#sciaticnerve #sciaticnerveflossing #nerveflossingexercises

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Let me know how this simple, but hugely effective sciatic nerve flossing exercise goes for you. Sciatic neural tension could be a sneaky part of your low back pain, sciatica, or even hamstring dysfunction. Hope it helps!

[@abenakwakyewaa6182]

Very helpful, thanks

[@DanielSmith-fm4fs]

In my country they say just take leg up to the limit that hamstring doesn’t get stretch as hamstring stretch can aggravate sciatica

[@jmking02]

This needs more views!

[@binaazmistry4660]

U r amazing ...many thanks 🙏

[@Chris-oq4bd]

This helped me so much. Thank you

[@YourWellnessNerd]

You're welcome! Glad it was useful!

[@adeisidaemon]

wew that's insane, normally I've been expecting some sort of stretch or popping when I make progress, but immediately after the exercise the depth of forward stretch is insane, and it was entirely painless. Cheers!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear! Hope it helps long term for you mate!

[@TeaDoggo]

Thanks again for another great video. You clearly know your stuff! The explanations you give made it simple for me to understand. I've been having some pudendal nerve pain on my left side which has been ongoing for almost a year now. I generally feel a lot of tightness around my pelvis, glutes and legs. I tried this exercise and definitely helped loosen things up. I'll keep at it and in the meantime look for a physiotherapist near where I live. It seems as though you really care about people, so keep up the great work. You deserve way more subscribers!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Appreciate the kind words Liam! Hope you can get on top of that pain!

[@user-kq5bd3mr8f]

Thank you so much! This was so helpful !

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad to hear it!

[@bethanybauk]

Great video and great explanation of the disfunction! Thank you! However, the flossing seems to make the tingles in my heel worse - is that normal to start?

[@hjabbour]

Seems too easy to be true, I will definitely try this! Thanks!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps! Let me know how it goes!

[@terryyible1554]

A really thorough video ( and it worked for my perennial knee pain) . I was hesitant to watch looking at the long intro but: 1) exercises with clear instructions 2) immediate results from said exercises You brought out the concept with the prescribed exercise and that's worth following. Thanks!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

You're welcome Terry! Glad you found it useful!

[@ST3FF3]

Oh my god I was able to genuinely touch my toes for the first time in my life with the legs straight! Thank you so much mate this was some black magic. This was so good, do you know any other flossing techniques for other nerves?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad to hear it helped! I'll make another video soon with some more!

[@sanjayrai9938]

Very informative video! Is it normal for the quads to become fatigued when doing the neural floss ? My quads seem to get a pump from this

[@YourWellnessNerd]

They certainly can! You're essentially straightening your leg against a light resistance if there's some tension at the back there!

[@vedinvalentinapo]

this was great and helpful but my legs shake upon trying to floss! I have a number of spinal issues including sciatica and regardless of my muscle weakness it felt better after.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Really happy to hear it made you feel a little better Valentina!

[@jahanzebanwar6285]

Plz tell me how many times in a day should i perform this?? Complete sets and repetitions plz??

[@YourWellnessNerd]

It can be done as often as is comfortable and is helping. I often recommend 2x15 reps multiple times a day.

[@jeramiehale723]

Vernon g hamstring flossing

[@BigManDogg]

How many times would you recommend this for athlete with hamstring issues

[@YourWellnessNerd]

I would recommend they do it and see how it makes them feel. More if helpful, less if u helpful. I'd also prompt them to try and figure out why they might be having those hammy issues in the first place, and take a good look at any lower back dysfunction.

[@maverikk521]

I've tried this but I really, really struggle to extend my leg up. It feels incredibly tight behind the knee. Can't seem to unlock it

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hey mate! From a general perspective, if nerve flossing feels uncomfy, I find freeing up the lower back with a foam roller or ball can help feed some slack in to the nerve from where it exits the spine.

[@vidhoard]

What if I feel hamstring stretches in the back of my calves??

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Clinically I’d still be interested in the nerve and ultimately the lower back to see what might be restricted!

[@aidanbrooks6626]

Hi - will this help with S1 compression/ foot numbness?

[@aidanbrooks6626]

So... I did this. And it was AMAZING. Additional info that would aid video - How long does the effect last? How often to perform?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

I guess the answer for you is yes :). Glad to hear it made a difference! In terms of how long it lasts its a mix of a few things of which the quality of someone's postural habits is often the most crucial!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

It can also be performed as often as needed as long as someone's symptoms are responding positively.

[@connorreid9156]

How frequently should I do this?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

A few times a day is often a respectful amount for most people!

[@aarontyler69]

Bending over and trying to touch the floor is a Huge no no if you have back issues. This can do more harm than good. You need to make it clear if someone has a herniated or bulging disc to NEVER do that.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

I hear you Aaron. While bending forward is certainly something that can annoy certain back complaints, the act of bending is a normal and a necessary part of having a healthy back at some stage. No one should ever fear bending forwards, but just respect a limited version of it while dealing with specific symptoms. Once those symptoms resolve an important long term goal is to reclaim the ability to bend again eventually.

[@aarontyler69]

@@YourWellnessNerd Fair enough. I'm suffering from horrific sciatica nerve pain or the ischiadic nerve. I had a laminectomy on 2012 for a work accident, and my back has never been the same. I've never had sciatic pain though in the past, and now a recent MRI shows I have a herniated disc and lumbar disc disease at the l5 s1 region. Since around October I've had a mostly numb foot from the aftermath of my debilitating sciatic pain. Now fast forward to today, I'm on Gabapentin for the nerve pain, and my foot's getting worse, as my toes are now starting to go numb; whereas it was just my heel to the sole of my foot before. I've been very cautious of what exercises to perform that I see online, as there's far too much bad information out there. You seem legit and the only issue I had was your bending forward touching the ground. If I did this or tried to bend forward I would be in major pain. I instead bend backwards slightly, hands on my glutes, I also do the bridge technique, as well as the McKenzie techniques. I wish you the best on your channel's success, have a happy holiday.

[@copleysq]

Please define verb...to floss.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Neural tissue doesn't stretch like muscular tissue. It's closer to a steel cable or piece of string than a stretchy band. So when we feel a nerve is tight it's more likely restricted at some point along the course of that nerve - most commonly at the spinal levels it originates from. Flossing or nerve gliding techniques literally just try to sheer that nerve free. It's not super specific to where that restriction is, but it tends to be quite effective generally!

[@squashduos1258]

Probably should explain how the lower back is positioned against the floor..and how to flex and lengthening your neck while flossing fwiw

[@mmccrownus2406]

PRO TIP: If something is "obvious" no need to say it