Neurodynamics: is tension contentious?

Figures & data

Figure 1. Examples of functional sliding and tensioning techniques. Throwing a dart is a sliding technique for the median nerve (A: wrist extension loads the median nerve; elbow flexion simultaneously unloads the median nerve; B: Elbow extension loads the median nerve; wrist flexion simultaneously unloads the median nerve), but a tensioning technique for the ulnar nerve (A: wrist extension and elbow flexion both load the ulnar nerve; B: elbow extension and wrist flexion both unload the ulnar nerve). Conversely, a frisbee backhand throw is a sliding technique for the ulnar nerve (C: elbow flexion loads the ulnar nerve and wrist flexion simultaneously unloads the ulnar nerve; D: wrist extension loads the ulnar nerve; elbow extension simultaneously unloads the ulnar nerve), but a tensioning technique for the median nerve (C: wrist and elbow flexion both unload the median nerve; D: wrist and elbow extension both load the median nerve).

Figure 2. The effects of tensile loading of the nervous system from (A) evidence from the Petri dish, (B) evidence from animal models, and (C) evidence from human trials.

Figure 3. The median nerve, imaged using shear wave elastography, at the level of the mid-forearm when (A) relaxed and (B) when on stretch. Note: colored elastogram presents nerve shear wave velocity (metres/sec) (an index of nerve stiffness).