Have you heard of nerve gliding, threading, or flossing?

If your answer is "no," you aren't alone; it has only come up twice in my life. Once was in a yoga class, and the other was in a physical therapy appointment this year. I felt the difference, and wanted to share this with you.

Nerve gliding, threading, or flossing- also sometimes called mobilizations- can be done for chronic pain and tightness, often for the neck and shoulders. In yoga, I stood with a neutral spine and stretched out my right arm laterally with the palm up. Then I rotated my neck to the left 10 times or so. When I repeated the neck circles, I had less tension and a better range of motion.

With my physical therapist, I worked on my hips. My physical therapist had me perform gentle exercises to improve mobility and stretch the nerves to reduce irritation in my hip and hamstring. These exercises also improved my range of motion. I lay on my back with bent knees and picked one leg up. Then I interlaced my fingers behind my thigh, close to the knee, and bent and straightened my leg for 10 repetitions. It definitely improved the mobility in my hamstring. Therefore, I was able to attain balance on my right leg as well as use the right muscles because I wasn't so tight.

Try it, and you, too, will enjoy the benefits.

For neck and shoulders:
Kneel or stand with a neutral spine. Extend your left hand and arm with the palm facing upwards. Rotate your head to the right 10 times. Or tilt your right ear to left shoulder 10 times. Do 1-2 sets.

For the hip or hamstrings:
Start lying with the left knee bent, and knee and interlace your fingers behind the right thigh. Bend and straighten the right leg for 10 repetitions. Do 2-3 sets.