The Acute Effects of Neurodynamic Stretching on the Shear Wave Velocity: the Effects of Hip Adduction and Abduction

Neurodynamic mobilization techniques are frequently applied in rehabilitation settings to enhance the mobility and function of peripheral nerves, particularly in the management of neuropathic pain such as carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathies, or sciatica. Two main approaches are distinguished. Nerve tensioning involves maintaining the nerve stretched at the end of the joint range of motion with relatively limited excursion. It is similar to a static stretching intervention but with distal (ankle) and proximal (cervical) tensions. Nerve flossing (also termed gliding or sliders), consists of alternating proximal and distal joint movements to induce greater neural sliding while avoiding excessive tensile stress. Both techniques appear efficient. However, contradictory findings following neurodynamic stretching highlighted the current lack of consensus regarding the angular position that could be used. For instance, hip rotations or hip adduction could impact muscle or nerve tissue changes, particularly in healthy tissues. Moreover, neurodynamic techniques are of interest for patients, it appeared it could also be applied in healthy individuals and more particularly in athletes. Performed in patients, healthy or athletes, no study has compared different hip positions. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present study was to determine the immediate effect of two hip positions (adduction vs. abduction) during neurodynamic flossing techniques on the sciatic nerve and hamstring tissues using the shear wave elastography (SWE, a form of ultrasonography). This method has been shown reliable to provide non-invasive real-time assessments of soft tissues elastic properties.