Movement & Neuroscience Nuggets: Have you Flossed Today?
What is Neural Flossing?
Imagine your nerves as long strings running through your body. Over time, from sitting too much or not moving enough, these nerves can get a little sticky or snagged inside your muscles and joints. This can cause tension, discomfort, and limit your movement. Neural flossing is like a gentle massage for your nerves, helping them slide and glide smoothly so you can move like a ninja!
Top Benefits of Neural Flossing:
1. Unlocks Stiffness
Ever felt like a robot in the mornings, with stiff joints and tight muscles? Neural flossing helps free up stuck nerves, giving you back that smooth, fluid motion—think more panther than rusty tin man! By gently stretching the nerves, it creates space for them to move without restrictions, which means more flexibility for you!
2. Improves Posture
Slouching at your desk all day? Neural flossing can help combat that desk job posture. When your nerves are happy and free, your body automatically falls into better alignment. Better posture means fewer aches and pains, and let’s face it, standing tall makes you feel better
3. Boosts Mobility
Want to kick higher, run faster, or squat deeper? Neural flossing can be the secret sauce to better performance. With your nerves moving freely, your muscles can perform at their best, allowing you to tap into your full range of motion—no more tight hamstrings holding you back!
4. Pain Relief
Sometimes pain isn’t coming from your muscles or joints but from irritated nerves. Neural flossing gently soothes and mobilises these grumpy nerves, reducing pain and discomfort. It’s like giving your nervous system a spa day! Yay!
5. Nervous System Reset
Neural flossing doesn’t just help your body; it helps your brain, too. When your nerves move freely, it sends signals to your brain that everything is functioning smoothly, which can reduce feelings of stress and tension. It's like a mini reset button for your whole body!
How to Get Started:
You can start neural flossing right now, with simple moves like the Tibial Nerve glide.
The thing to remember when doing neural flossing is that less is more. You don’t want to stress those nerves any more than they already are, so only floss with a 3 out of 10 intensity.
Neural flossing is like giving your body an upgrade—better movement, less pain, and a lot more freedom. So, the next time you feel stiff or stuck, don’t forget to floss—your nerves, that is!