Physiotherapeutic treatment of peripheral nerves aims to relieve pain and improve nerve function through targeted mobilisation and exercises. This can promote mobility and improve quality of life.
Treatment
Nerve tissue is an integral part of the human body’s functional systems. A nerve serving as a conduit of information is only fully functional if it is free to move both inside and out, i.e. in relation to its surroundings. Only in this way can it fulfill its neurophysiological tasks unhindered and provide adequate local and systemic responsiveness.
Symptoms of nerve disorders
- loss of lubricity
- changes in the consistency of the tissue
- sensitivity to pain during palpation
One can palpate certain points of the body along the peripheral nerves, using a special technique to mobilize them.
Goal of the mobilisation
- improves mobility of the fascial coating of the nerves
- reduction of intraneural pressure
- reduction of extraneural pressure
The treatment of peripheral nerves is indicated for the following conditions:
Indications for treatment of the cervical plexus
- headaches starting from the neck, spreading to the back of the head
- dizziness and balance problems
- upper chest and shoulder issues
- breathing problems, especially abdominal breathing
Indications for treatment of the brachial plexus
- neck and arm pain (cervicobrachial disorders)
- shoulder joint issues (like periarthritis)
- carpal tunnel dyndrome
- Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
- numbness or tingling in the shoulder and arm
- shoulder pain
Indications for the treatment of the lumbar plexus
- knee and hip pain
- numbness or tingling down the entire leg to the foot
- kidney-related pain
- lower back pain
Indications for the treatment of the sacral plexus
- herniated disc
- hip and knee pain
- sciatic pain (pain in lower back and legs)
- ankle pain, especially after injury
- heel pain (like heel spurs)
