Tingly fingers? Achy elbows? Limited range of motion in shoulders? Neck pain? If any of these symptoms apply to you, your nerves need some attention. If not, your nerves still need attention — think prevention.  

Right now, as I type, I am reminded that most of us are at a computer often. Our neck, shoulders, and hands work hard and need care. Discomfort due to pinched nerves is common. And yet, in general, we think a lot more about muscle health than nerve health — toned muscles, strong muscles, flexible muscles, definition, and "cuts" in all the right places. But, without healthy nerves, muscles suffer, weaken, and fatigue. Unlike muscles, nerves do not like to be stretched, they like to be glided and flossed through the muscles.

Incorporate these three yummy upper body "nerve glides" into your daily routine and you are guaranteed to notice the difference in how your neck, shoulders, and hands feel. I've given them each a fun name, so they are easier to remember.

1. The Greta Garbo: start by holding your hand in front of your belly button, palm up, pinky finger turned in. To move, lift your hand to your forehead, flipping it over as you move until your pinky finger touches your forehead. Then reverse the movement to bring your hand back down to where you started. Repeat this 5 to 10 times on the right and left sides and do it several times a day.

2. The Harley Davidson: Hold both your arms out straight out in front of you, palms down. Curl your fingers into your palm and "rev" your imaginary motorcycle by curling and releasing your wrists. Do this 5 to 10 times. Repeat with hands open, pointing fingers toward the ground and then up toward the ceiling like you are placing your hands flat on a wall. Do this several times daily.

3. The Tick Tock: your head will move from side to side for this one, like a pendulum on a clock. Begin with your arm at your side, palm facing your body. Curl your fingers into your hand and curl your wrist. At the same time, bring your head away from the side you are working on, ear toward the opposite shoulder. Then, open your hand and bring your fingers toward the ceiling, flexing at the wrist. At the same time, bring your head toward the side you are working on, ear to shoulder. Repeat this 5 to 10 times, switch sides, and do it several times a day.

Check out my upcoming in-person workshop: FitClinic for a Happy Neck on Thursday, March 9 from 5 to 6:30 PM at Mind the Mat in Del Ray, Alexandria. In this workshop, we will review the techniques above and so much more!  

Plus, stay tuned as our experienced instructors continue to add new mobility classes for every body part on Mind the Mat's FitClinic App. Dr. Megan Brown’s “hips” class and my "neck, shoulders, and hands" class are already up! Become a monthly FitClinic App member and look forward to new mobility content, delivered weekly at your fingertips. Use FitClinic25 at checkout to receive a Stylebook discount of 25% off your monthly FitClinic App membership, for $29.99/month (normally $39.99/month).