Nerve Mobilization Online Class
Nerve mobilization is a precise manual therapy approach for assessing and treating peripheral nerve compression and tension patterns. In this online class, you will learn how to evaluate the median, ulnar, radial, and sciatic nerves using advanced nerve tension tests, and how to apply hands-on techniques to free restrictions along their full anatomical paths. This course focuses on clear assessment, accurate palpation, and practical treatment strategies for addressing numbness, tingling, weakness, and nerve-related pain.
Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, nerve mobilization works by restoring normal movement and tissue function along the entire course of the nerve.
Course Overview
This class provides a comprehensive introduction to nerve mobilization theory, evaluation, and treatment for both the upper and lower body. You will begin by learning how and why peripheral nerves become compressed or restricted, followed by instruction in standardized nerve tension testing. From there, the course progresses into detailed, region-specific treatment approaches designed to normalize tissue function from the neck through the arm and from the pelvis through the leg.
What You Will Learn
- How to perform advanced nerve tension tests to accurately evaluate peripheral nerve involvement
- Assessment and treatment of the median nerve, including identifying restrictions from the neck to the hand
- Assessment and treatment of the ulnar nerve, with attention to common compression and traction patterns
- Assessment and treatment of the radial nerve, including recognizing symptoms related to wrist and elbow dysfunction
- How to identify where a nerve is restricted along its anatomical path rather than treating symptoms locally
- Hands-on techniques to reduce nerve compression and normalize surrounding tissue function
- How to integrate nerve mobilization safely into massage and bodywork sessions for both upper and lower body presentations.
Course Details & Learning Materials
- Format: On-demand online video course
- Scope: Upper and lower body nerve mobilization
- Techniques Included:
- Myofascial release techniques
- Lymphatic techniques
- Muscle release techniques
- Direct nerve gliding and nerve stretching
- Instruction Style: Clear demonstrations focused on assessment, precision, and clinical application
- Lessons: Progressive modules covering evaluation, treatment, and integration
- Skill Level: Designed for massage therapists and bodyworkers with foundational anatomy knowledge
- Access: Unlimited lifetime access after enrollment
- Certificate: Downloadable certificate of completion provided
Who This Course Is For
This class is ideal for massage therapists, bodyworkers, and manual practitioners who regularly encounter clients with reminder nerve-related symptoms such as carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, numbness, tingling, weakness, wrist pain, and epicondylitis. It is especially useful for practitioners who want a clear, structured method for understanding where nerves are restricted and how to treat those restrictions effectively.
Meet your instructor
Doug Alexander, BSc, RMT, has been practicing and teaching massage therapy for over 20 years. He is the founder of The Journal of Soft Tissue Manipulation and has published more than 30 papers in the massage therapy literature. Doug brings a strong academic foundation together with refined palpation skills and a thoughtful, client-centered teaching style. His instruction emphasizes clear understanding, hands-on precision, and practical application in clinical settings.
Lessons
Upper body introduction
This lesson lays out the basis for nerve mobilization, and includes information about how nerves function and become compressed. Then Doug outlines the basic guidelines for testing motions (sensitizing movements), and then demonstrates several exercises for abdominal breathing and how it relates to nerve entrapment in the scalenes.
Median Nerve
This 70 minute lesson demonstrates the nerve conduction test for the median nerve. Once nerve conduction issues or compression have been verified, Doug shows how to use various techniques to work along the median nerve from the neck to the wrist. After watching this lesson, you should be able to evaluate the entire course of the nerve.
Radial Nerve
This lesson shows the location of the radial nerve, and nerve tension tests to discover the location of the restriction. After discovering the location of compression, Doug demonstrates bodywork techniques along the path of the nerve to free it and restore function.
Ulnar nerve
This lesson shows the location and function of the ulnar nerve. Then Doug demonstrates the nerve tension tests, and finally shows how to perform bodywork techniques to free the nerve from compression. He also discusses possible symptoms that a client might have if this nerve is compressed.
Lower body intro
This is the introduction to the lower body. This lesson discusses the basics of nerve mobilization, and how to evaluate if the client is acute, subacute or chronic, and how to adjust to each situation. He also shows the basic location of the sciatic nerve and its branches. Then discusses common cautions.
Lower body anatomy
This lesson gives detailed information of the location and path of the sciatic nerve and various branches down to the foot.
Lower body- acute
This lesson demonstrates how to evaluate the sciatic nerve during an acute injury (within 4 days of injury). It is also considered acute when the person is in a lot of pain. Doug also shows the postural alignment, quadrant test, anterior shear test, Spinal spring test, posterior inferior SI shear test, and other muscular tests. Then Doug demonstrates the nerve tension tests. Finally Doug shows bodywork techniques to free the nerve along it’s path all the way down the leg. Finally he offers exercises for the client to restore proper muscular and nerve function.
Lower body sub-acute
This lesson demonstrates how to work with someone in the sub-acute stage (5 days to 2 weeks). Doug discusses in detail the anatomy of healing at this phase. He shows direct palpation of the nerve and techniques to free it along it’s path down the leg. Over 20 techniques are shown. All the branches off the nerve are shown.
Lower body- chronic
In the final lesson on the leg, Doug shows more information on someone with chronic low back pain and the appropriate techniques and evaluations for someone at this stage of healing.