Tibial Nerve Flossing - Ask Dr. Abelson

[@patrickwilliamson2312]

I started training for a marathon about two months ago and started getting a pain inside my ankle that was radiating around my heel and up my calf. I went to an orthopedic doc who told me I had plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. I spent three weeks resting, massaging my foot, doing eccentric Achilles exercises and the pain kept getting worse. Started thinking I might have something nerve related, found this video and did the exercises and was literally almost instantly pain free. Had my first pain free run in almost a month yesterday and am getting back on track with my training. Thanks so much for your help!

[@kinetichealthonline]

Glad it helped!

[@erlekirby5511]

@@kinetichealthonline I experienced the same thing & was questioning if I needed to drop out of Boston with worry of aggravating the pain and pins/needles I was going through even at rest. I took a couple weeks off to heal and didn't get the improvement I expected, started doing these exercises and it seemed to relieve everything almost instantly. I'm so grateful, thank you. My only regret is that I didn't find it earlier as it seems like it may have been able to keep my training on track!

[@stefanomacchiavello1302]

Helped me a lot at the first time! I'm a Chilean MD and hadn't found a solution. Really thank you.

[@ClutchingMyCure]

Oh my goodness this was very helpful, only a few times into doing the first stretch and the pain in my calf has mostly gone away!

[@JuliHogan]

So grateful to found these people and their help.

[@hillsalliancechurch1824]

This is a great video. my feet were driving me crazy. I've been getting tickling sensations in feet since I started running. thanks

[@laserfloyd]

After having gone through surgery on the left foot for a trapped nerve I'm going to try exercises like this to try and improve on the right foot. Surgery improved the left foot but it was a long and arduous process. Not something I want to do unless everything else fails. Thanks for posting!

[@jesusslushies2192]

I have been having spasms in this nerve and also the peroneal nerve for almost 1 yr now. Also, on my right foot, all 4 toes *excl hallux will begin to curl/spasm. If i move my foot a certain way either if im sitting or laying down, my foot will begin spasming and curling in. Its extremely painful and I usually get up and put my foot flat on the floor and walk until it releases. Lately, when my foot begins to spasm/curl inward, I force it to curl even more extreme and it releases. It used to be unbearably painful. Then when the spasm releases, i continue stretching that foot by pointing the toe till i can't stretch it anymore and stretching my foot by walking on the side of my foot. I have been able to decrease the pain level and now i have less spasms. I love these stretches in this video and I will incorporate them into my routine! Thanks!! PS I have been to a few Drs who haven't found anything wrong. I had x-rays and MRIs but nothing. I also drink electrolyte drinks so it's not that. I used to be a ballet dancer so maybe that has something to do with it... not sure.

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hello @jesusslushies2192, Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience! Unfortunately, I cannot provide advice or comment on specific cases without performing a physical examination. That being said, I'm glad to hear that you have found the stretches in the video helpful and are incorporating them into your routine. It’s great that you are taking proactive steps to manage your symptoms. If your spasms and pain persist, I recommend consulting with a healthcare professional who can provide a thorough evaluation and tailored treatment plan. Best of luck, and thank you for being a part of our community!

[@abualzuaree]

I feel a sharp pain when I go into plantar flexion from this nerve issue. Will try these out 👍🏼

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hello: If you are feeling sharp pain I would recommend seeing a local medical practitioner in your area to see if these procedures are appropriate for your case. Nerve flossing exercises, also known as nerve gliding or neural mobilization, are often used in physical therapy to help improve the mobility and function of nerves. In your case, the tibial nerve flossing exercises could potentially help, as the tibial nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve and provides sensation to the bottom of the foot, as well as controlling many of the muscles in the foot. However, it's crucial to remember that these exercises should not cause sharp pain. If you're experiencing sharp pain when going into plantar flexion, this might indicate nerve compression, inflammation, or other underlying issues that need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Pain is a signal from your body that something might not be right, so it's important not to ignore it. While nerve flossing exercises can be beneficial in many cases, they should be performed under the guidance of a healthcare provider, especially when dealing with a condition that is already causing pain. The intensity and progression of the exercises should be customized to your specific situation and tolerance level. So while trying out these exercises could potentially be beneficial, it's crucial to do so under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure they are done correctly and safely. If the pain persists or gets worse, stop the exercises and seek immediate medical attention. It's always better to be safe and get a professional opinion in cases like this. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@Onus6688]

Omg you're a life saver... thank you so much for posting this video

[@drivenhome3257]

Did once, no pain next day, will do everyday. It even took pain out of my knee. Thanks you're awesome, I need lots of these exercises.

[@leewebster1461]

Going to give this a try I tore my calf twice earlier in year and been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis now but I’m convinced there’s some nerve entrapment as I have both calf and heel pain and my calf and Achilles area doesn’t stop twitching ever

[@brightangelz15]

Whoa, that floor stretch pressing on the toe almost did me in! I can remember doing this in yoga a couple of years ago and there was no pain :( That's what I get for wearing the wrong shoes at work. Thanks for this video!

[@vivu29]

Great!! Gave me lots of relief from the pain. The first one specially was very good. How many times in a day and for how long?

[@robertasalvo1077]

I have both tarsal tunnel syndrome and a mild case of plantar fasciitis in both feet. Is it possible to do the tibial nerve flossing on both sides? Physical therapists believe strengthening the feet is the only solution without any interventions. They actually are making things worse. I feel I need to resolve the nerve component. Please let me know if this tibial nerve flossing is good for both feet?

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hello Robertasalvo1077, Thank you for watching! Unfortunately, I can't offer specific advice or comment on individual cases without conducting a full physical examination and medical history. However, tibial nerve flossing can often be a helpful technique to promote nerve mobility, especially when nerve entrapments, such as in tarsal tunnel syndrome, are present. You can generally perform nerve flossing exercises bilaterally (on both feet), but it’s essential to perform these exercises correctly to avoid aggravating your symptoms. That said, combining nerve flossing with strengthening exercises may help address both the nerve and mechanical aspects of the issue, though the exact approach should be personalized based on your condition. I would recommend consulting a healthcare provider who can evaluate your situation fully and guide you through an individualized program. All the best, Dr. Brian Abelson DC

[@eagerajax580]

thank you. this helped me a lot.

[@annylin0506]

Hi, I have tibial nerve damage due to leg crossing and have weak sensations in left foot and lack of plantar flex ion. I was wondering how many times I need to do the exercises a day to promote recovery? Thank you

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hi Anny: I can not give recommendations on specific cases without examining the patient. That being said, in most cases we have our patients perform nerve flossing exercises 4 to 5 times per day. Cheers

[@robertpetrie6999]

I do too Anny it's just terrible. How are you feeling? Have you found anything that worked well for you?

[@apostolosgalimanas8274]

Dear sir i have pain in calf and foot 5 years now...i visit many doctors and the last told me that maybe have tarsal tunnel syndrome... I will try these exercises ..they are for tarsal tunnel? If i will do can i run together ? Or i must for one month these exercises without running? Thanks for all!

[@hamala7437]

This is fantastic for injuries

[@gmontenegro9711]

My inner calf head is atrophied out of nowhere without injury… is this the therapy I should start with? The outer calf head is perfectly fine. Btw there’s absolutely no pain with this calf muscle or any other part of my lower leg.

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hello and thank you for watching! I must clarify that I can't offer specific medical advice without a physical examination. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional in your area to properly diagnose and treat your calf muscle atrophy, as it can stem from a variety of underlying issues. I appreciate your engagement with the content, and wish you the best in your journey to optimal health. Cheers!

[@erinmeow8966]

Could entrapment of this possibly cause muscle spasms on the inside of the foot and numbness that goes into the toes when you rest the leg down flat on the tibial when lying down?

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hi Erin: Yes it possibly could. Here is a link to Tibial anatomy review. Cheers teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/nerves/tibial-nerve/

[@erinmeow8966]

@@kinetichealthonline Thank you very much for the response, I'm going to check that out

[@marym6613]

Dr Abelson, would this nerve entrapment of the Tibial nerve cause entrapment in the Medial Plantar Nerve? I feel as though I'm walking on a pinched nerve or a foot that has had it's circulation cut off as if there's a rubber band around my knee causing my foot to swell. The numbing starts from behind the knee.

[@kinetichealthonline]

Because the medial plantar nerve is the larger of the two terminal divisions of the tibial nerve, yes tibial nerve entrapment can cause problems with the medial plantar nerve. That being said, it does not mean that is the problem. I would go in and have it check by a practitioner just to make sure nothing else is going on. Cheers

[@amitbist2k2]

Hi Doc, I started getting pain on my heels since last 5 months. Could be because of working from home and sitting long hours on chair front of laptop. But for last 3 weeks, it has turned severe and can not walk now, cannt place my heels on ground. On back side of knees joint, i feel some muscles or tendons tension, feels like tendons movement is blocked. What could be the problem. Last 2 fingers of my legs are getting num. By the way, I have started following the exercise shown in this video.

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hi Amit: I can not comment on specific cases without performing a physical examination. You need to get in and get a full examination and see what is going on. Cheers!

[@loumclifton]

I've just had a neurofibroma removed from my tibial nerve and nerve gliding is part of my rehab. I'm a runner and my right calf is atrophied from the nerve compression. Do you think it's likely this calf can be rebuilt again? Thanks

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hi Lousie: I cannot comment on specific cases without performing an examination. That being said, in many cases (if nerve damage is repaired) muscle mass does come back either partially or fully with rehab. Cheers!

[@yuvi7588]

Very helpful video Burning sensation My feet

[@TheChelseaHanna]

I definitely think I have some sort of nerve damage either from dance teachers shoving me into stretches as a kid, or from walking on my toes or something. I have so many issues it’s hard to keep track. Can I ask what specific area you doctors practice in so I can find a physician in my area who can help me pin point what to work on?

[@kinetichealthonline]

Hi: We are chiropractors trained in numerous soft tissue and osseous procedures (MSR). We are also involved in teaching chiropractors, physiotherapists, osteopaths and RMT's. Our clinic is located in Calgary Alberta Canada. Cheers! www.kinetichealth.ca/

[@Bexatronica1]

Thank you!

[@kinetichealthonline]

You're welcome!

[@tomtomftube]

I like the bit where they talk about the Tibial nerver

[@carlorocky]

After meniscectomy surgery two years ago, I can not feel the medial portion of my calf. Also, I I’m unable to strengthen or even flex it. Sounds like tibial nerve damage to me. Is there any way to work around this obstacle?

[@kinetichealthonline]

Without examining you I cannot comment on your individual case. Have you seen someone trained in nerve entrapment problems so they can make recommendations related to your specific case. If not I would check out the Active Release site to see if there is someone in your area. Cheers

[@Veronica-ho1pl]

Will this help with tarsal tunnel?

[@JamesSmith-ds2hi]

Would a nerve block in the tibial nerve stop the calves from twitching?

[@kinetichealthonline]

It might James, but not necessarily. It all depends on the cause of the cramps. Every case can be different. Cheers

[@JamesSmith-ds2hi]

@@kinetichealthonline benign fasciculations?

[@kinetichealthonline]

Benign fasciculations rarely indicate a serious neuromuscular disorder. That being said they can be a symptom of other conditions. They are worth having some medical evaluation just to make sure nothing else is going on. Cheers

[@JamesSmith-ds2hi]

@@kinetichealthonline thanks for the reply. But hypothetically if I was to get Botox in the tibial nerve or calves, would that stop the fasciculations?

[@kinetichealthonline]

Possibly, but there is no guarantee it would have the desired effect. Every case is difference. Sorry I could not be more be more exact. Cheers

[@edmarquimbo2676]

finally

[@belgas3139]

First need to get on life all Ankle joints ;) How....? Try understand Your Body and take munch easy exercises.....do more static and dynamic stretching every day and foot messages! Thanks for good information..... Belgas313 🎯

[@dinupchan]

Good

[@joeyfranchini7499]

Thank you!

[@kinetichealthonline]

You're welcome!