The Nerve Protection Paradigm

The R&M Brace protects the radial and median nerves; a protection approach can be adopted to manage pain arising from other nerves in the body; the ulna, axillary and the whole of the more proximal branches of the brachial plexus. 

In the lower limb taping to protect the sciatic nerve limits mobility considerably; especially sitting. Limiting lumbar flexion indirectly limits the mechanical load placed on the sciatic nerve. The peroneal nerve of the lower leg is sometimes injured in lateral ankle sprains; taping along the path of the nerve and into the foot may protect the peroneal nerve. 

During my training (35 years ago) the 'stiffness' paradigm was dominant. Structures were considered painful because they were 'stiff' or 'tight'. Therapy was directed at improving stiffness; stretching and mobilising. Muscles and joints were 'tight'; when nerve related pain was recognised and included in the assessment and treatment plan they were also considered to be 'tight' if pain was reproduced during the nerve tests; the initial names given to these tests included the word 'tension'; implying some 'tightness'; and one of the treatment responses was to 'stretch' the nerves. In some cases repeated 'stretching' load on the nerve during an exercise may result in a gradual reduction in mechano-sensitivity but if the nerve is too sensitive to mechanical loading these exercises will result in an increase in pain. 

The nerve protection paradigm is in some ways the opposite of a formal exercise approach; the only exercise is daily, fear free activity.