Shoulder mobility exercises are a powerful instrument for improving improper function of the shoulder and resulting shoulder pain or shoulder stiffness. Always consult a healthcare practitioner before beginning an exercise to determine which shoulder exercise is right for you.

Special note: Hold your hands together and bring your arms over your head slowly and back towards the ground. Move slowly back to the starting position and repeat the same movement. It is important that you do not stretch too far downwards. Always stop if you experience pain or discomfort. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for more advice. Understand what your neutral posture is. Most of the shoulder exercises start in a neutral posture. Please read about the best standing posture before starting with any exercise.

List of conditions which may benefit from this shoulder exercise

A diagnosis or shoulder exercise prescription for the following conditions can only be done by a medical doctor or your healthcare practitioner. This list has merely been given to discuss with your healthcare professional.

• Mechanical shoulder pain, neck pain, middle back pain, upper back pain.
• Shoulder bursitis, shoulder tendinitis, shoulder rotator cuff injury, frozen shoulder, shoulder impingement syndrome. supraspinatus tendinitis, infraspinatus tendinitis, biceps tendinitis

General tips for shoulder mobility exercises

1. Frequency: These exercises are effective for creating mobility in the shoulder joint and the associated shoulder muscles. The frequency is typically 1-2 times daily. Doing more exercises daily than recommended is not always necessary or effective. Please discuss this with your healthcare professional.
2. Combine: Instead of focusing on just one exercise, combine similar exercises for a more powerful effect. Three mobility exercises is the average recommended combination.
3. Shoulder Pain: Pain is a warning signal. Never ignore pain. Shoulder exercises should be done with care as they may worsen your complaint. Do not continue with this exercise if you experience shoulder pain.
4. Speed: Do not hurry. This shoulder exercise should be done slowly.
5. Stay alert: Focus and think about each movement in the shoulder exercise rather than doing this exercise automatically.
6. Overuse: Shoulder pain is most commonly the result of overuse and repeated or prolonged movements of the shoulder muscles, tendons, ligaments or joints. This overuse can result in a strain (muscle injury), a sprain (ligament injury), or inflammation of the associated joints.
7. Posture: Focus on a good posture to prevent or minimize shoulder problems. Even a small postural change can make a huge difference. The most important thing to remember is that the posture is a variable posture. Change your posture every ten to fifteen minutes!
8. Risk factors: The risk of shoulder injury increases with age and shoulder injuries are more common with certain sports and occupations. Athletes who use repetitive arm motions, such as baseball players and tennis players, have a greater risk of getting a shoulder injury. Occupations such as carpentry or painting that require repetitive arm motions, often overhead; result in increased pressure on the shoulder joint over time and increased risk of injury.

Did you know?

A large percentage of people will suffer from shoulder or back pain at some point in their lives. Shoulder pain is most often the result of long-term improper use of the shoulder joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves.