In the fitness world, we talk a lot about the importance of stretching, strengthening, and keeping our bodies in peak condition. But there’s a lesser-known concept that deserves our attention: neural ischemia. Let’s break it down and understand why it matters, especially for group fitness instructors.

What is Neural Ischemia?

Neural ischemia occurs when blood flow to a nerve is blocked, usually because the nerve has been elongated between 8-15%. When nerves can’t slide or move freely, this restriction leads to diminished blood flow—a condition known as ischemia. The lack of proper blood flow impacts the nerve’s ability to function, causing inflammation of the nervous tissue. This can result in neural symptoms like tingling, numbness, or even pain, that requires careful treatment.

Stretching and Neural Ischemia: What to Avoid

Now, you might wonder, “What kind of stretching could cause this?” One key example is the Slump. The Slump is both an assessment and treatment strategy that gradually leads to a position of maximal neural tension. While this might be useful in a controlled, therapeutic setting, it’s unsuitable for group exercise classes.

Sustained, end-of-range neural tension positions, like those reached in the Slump (refer to picture below), are considered unsafe for group fitness environments. These positions can compromise safety, even if no neural symptoms are present. The general rule? Avoid stretching to the point where you or your clients feel tingling. For instance, avoid holding a hamstring stretch for too long or at an extreme angle, and ensure that the chin is lifted or the toes pointed. This helps maintain healthy blood flow through the spinal cord and sciatic nerve.

Neuro-Mobilisation Techniques: A Safer Alternative

Consider incorporating neuro-mobilisation techniques into your classes instead of pushing your clients into stretches that might risk neural ischemia. Neuro-mobilisation isn’t about stretching in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a technique that gently mobilises the nervous system, allowing nerves to move freely within the body without being restricted or compressed.

This approach benefits everyone, from individuals with limited movement due to injury or age to athletes looking to improve their performance, speed, and agility. By promoting better nerve movement and function, neuro-mobilisation can help clients gain more range of motion and improve overall mobility—without the risks associated with high-tension stretching.

A key aspect of neuro-mobilisation is nerve flossing. Nerve flossing involves performing a controlled glide that moves a nerve back and forth—much like when you floss your teeth—to help release tension. This gentle movement encourages nerves to slide smoothly within their surrounding tissues, reducing the risk of neural ischemia and improving overall nerve health.

Practical Tips for Group Fitness Instructors

• Educate your clients: Help them understand the importance of nerve health and why certain stretches should be avoided.
• Use modifications: Incorporate modifications in your classes that keep clients safe while still allowing them to improve their flexibility and mobility.
• Incorporate neuro-mobilisation: Learn and use neuro-mobilisation techniques for your warm-ups or cooldowns to ensure your clients’ nervous systems function optimally.

To learn more about neuro-mobilisation, check out my FREE Flexibility without Stretching course. It teaches you five essential neuro-mobilisation techniques that you can use right away to help your clients move better and feel better.

By keeping neural ischemia in mind and using safer techniques like neuro-mobilisation, you can help your clients stay healthy, mobile, and pain-free. After all, group fitness is about enhancing well-being, not putting it at risk.

Want more blogs for fitness professionals? Check them out here