Neural Tension Points in the Body

Tension points are areas of the body with little or no movement between the nervous system and it's surrounding structures. Tension points can occur peripherally (at the carpal tunnel or superior tibiofibular joints for example) and centrally within the spinal column. The three main tension points of the spine are C6, T6, and L4. Clinically, it is important to investigate tension points whenever the patient reports radiating symptoms to an extremity.  

Peripherally, tension points occur where the nervous system branches, at soft tissue or osseous tunnels, areas where the nervous system is relatively fixed, and areas where the nervous system passes closely to surrounding structures. Examples of each of these can be seen below.  

EXAMPLES OF TENSION POINTS

Nervous System Branches
-Sciatic N. branches into tibial and common peroneal nerve around the fibular head. 

Nervous System nearby 
Soft Tissue or Osseous Tunnels
-Median N. in the carpal tunnel
-Ulnar N. at Guyon's canal
-PIN as it passes through arcade of Froshe 

Nervous System is Relatively Fixed
-Suprascapular N. is suprascapular notch
-Peroneal N. at fibular head
-Dura Mater at L4

Nervous System close to Nearby Structures
-Radial N. as it passes through radial groove 
-Brachial plexus as it passes the 1st Rib