Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization
Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization Exercise Description
Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization is a gentle neural “glide” for the ulnar nerve as it travels from the neck through the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The goal is smooth, symptom-free motion—not a hard stretch—using coordinated positions of shoulder abduction/external rotation, elbow flexion, and wrist/finger extension. A slight side-bend of the neck can adjust nerve tension: away to increase, toward to ease. You should feel only mild, momentary tension along the inner forearm, hand, or ring/pinky finger side that resolves as you move. Keep the shoulder down (scapular depression) and the neck long to avoid unnecessary strain. Move slowly and breathe; stop if you feel sharp pain, significant numbness, or symptoms that persist after the movement. ([na.physitrack.com](https://na.physitrack.com/home-exercise-video/ulnar-nerve-glide-shoulder?utm_source=openai))
- Muscle Groups: Delts, Shoulders
- Target Muscles: Deltoid - Lateral
- Assisting Muscles: Extensor Carpi Ulnaris, Extensor Digitorum, Infraspinatus, Supraspinatus, Teres Minor
- Stabilizing Muscles: External Obliques, Rhomboid Major, Serratus Anterior, Trapezius - Lower Fibers, Trapezius - Middle Fibers
- Body Area: Upper Body
- Body Parts: Shoulders
- Body Surface: Side
- Body Symmetry: Unilateral
- Equipment: Bodyweight
- Exercise Patterns: Other
- Exercise Type: Stretching
- Functional Grouping: Shoulder Abductors
- Joint Involvement: Multi-joint
- Muscle Location: Side Shoulder
- Movement Direction: Other
- Muscle Position: Lateral
- Gender: Male
How To Do The Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization Exercise
‘- Stand tall with feet comfortable, ribs down, and neck neutral. Let your shoulders hang away from your ears.
– On the working side, lift your arm out to shoulder height with the elbow bent about 90°. Externally rotate the shoulder so the palm faces forward/up.
– Extend the wrist and fingers (open the hand). Keep the shoulder gently depressed; avoid shrugging. ([na.physitrack.com](https://na.physitrack.com/home-exercise-video/ulnar-nerve-glide-shoulder?utm_source=openai))
– Slowly bring the palm toward the side of your face (as if making a “mask”) until you feel a mild, easing tension. Do not push through discomfort. ([na.physitrack.com](https://na.physitrack.com/home-exercise-video/ulnar-nerve-glide?utm_source=openai))
– For a slider: as the hand moves away from your face, gently side-bend your head away; as the hand returns toward your face, bring your head back to neutral or slightly toward the working side.
– Keep your torso still—no twisting or leaning—and maintain a neutral wrist (no aggressive bending beyond gentle extension).
– Move smoothly and continuously; breathe evenly. If tingling, heaviness, or pain increases or lingers, ease the range or stop. ([na.physitrack.com](https://na.physitrack.com/home-exercise-video/ulnar-nerve-glide?utm_source=openai))
Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization Tips
‘- Stand tall with comfortable foot placement, ribs down, and your neck in a neutral, “long” position before starting.
– Let your shoulders hang away from your ears and keep the working shoulder gently depressed throughout.
– Lift your arm to shoulder height with the elbow bent about 90° and rotate the shoulder so your palm faces forward or slightly up.
– Open your hand by extending the wrist and fingers only into a gentle stretch—avoid aggressive bending past mild extension.
– Bring your palm slowly toward the side of your face (like making a “mask”) and stop when you feel only mild, easing tension.
– Do not push through discomfort; ease off if the tension does not resolve as you move.
– For a slider, coordinate: as your hand moves away from your face, side-bend your head away; as the hand returns toward your face, bring your head back to neutral or slightly toward the working side.
– Keep your torso quiet—no twisting or leaning—as the arm and neck move.
– Move smoothly and continuously, and breathe evenly rather than holding your breath.
– If tingling, heaviness, pain, sharp pain, significant numbness, or symptoms increase or linger, reduce the range of motion or stop.
Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization Beginner Introduction
With Standing Ulnar Nerve Mobilization, the arm and neck positions are used to glide the ulnar nerve along its path from the neck to the hand. This type of movement aims for easy, comfortable motion rather than a forceful stretch. Gentle, brief tension may be noticed at the inner forearm, side of the hand, or around the ring and little fingers, easing as the arm moves. Many people use this drill to explore nerve motion while maintaining a relaxed shoulder, a long feeling through the neck, and calm, steady breathing.
During the exercise, the working arm is raised out to the side with a bent elbow, the palm rotated outward and the fingers opened. The hand then travels toward and away from the side of the face, creating a smooth, flowing motion. A small tilt of the head can change how strong the nerve tension feels: tipping away tends to heighten it, while inclining toward the working arm often softens it. The wrist remains only lightly extended and the body stays upright without twisting. The practice is generally performed slowly and rhythmically, and is usually stopped if sharp pain, marked tingling, or lingering symptoms appear.