The shoulder is an important joint that allows us to perform many different activities. Injuries to the shoulder will commonly occur during overhead activities such as football, tennis, painting, gardening, and weightlifting. Pain in the shoulder can also be caused by activities that are prolonged, repetitive, or awkward in nature.
Many of these issues involving the shoulder can be avoided or improved by proper stretching and strengthening exercises performed before and after activities. There are two exercises in particular we are going to go over today, designed to stretch and improve range of motion in the shoulder joint.
1) Start by facing a wall. Place your hand as far up the wall as you can. Take a small step towards the wall, as you use your fingers to pull the hand up higher on the wall. Hold 5 seconds at the top and repeat 10 times. Repeat on the other arm.
2) Now face the wall with the side of your body. Place your hand as far up the wall as you can. Now take a small step to the side towards the wall, and use your fingers to pull the hand up higher on the wall. Hold 5 seconds at the top and repeat 10 times. Repeat with other arm.
Find us on Facebook or Instagram to see these demonstrated on video by Dr. Van Wechel. Have you been suffering with shoulder pain? Give us a call today, we're happy to help!