Nerve flossing is done to stretch and release a specific nerve that is compressed, entrapped or develops surrounding scar tissue, presenting as a condition known as peripheral nerve entrapment.
Nerve flossing exercises can be done at home, but if your condition is extreme or persistent, you should have a qualified manual therapist who is certified in Active Release Technique perform a functional examination for neural tension.
The purpose of nerve flossing is to pull from one end of a nerve, while keeping the other end of the nerve relaxed. Nerve flossing pulls the nerve free from any entrapments or adhesions along its path. Nerve flossing can be performed for both the upper and lower extremity nerves.
The idea behind nerve flossing is to release the sciatic nerve by stretching the tissues surrounding it and breaking down any build-up of fibrotic scar tissue, which prevents the nerve from gliding smoothly with leg movement. Flossing is required to break down the scar tissue — just as flossing your teeth chips away at plaque buildup.