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Exercises for Shoulder Flexibility: External Rotation
HEALTH INSIGHTS

Exercises for Shoulder Flexibility: External Rotation

April 20, 2018

Exercises for Shoulder Flexibility: External Rotation

Woman standing facing doorway. One arm is bent, hand holding on to doorway. Other hand is across body holding bent elbow. Arrows show woman turning to side, continuing to hold doorway.

This stretch can help restore shoulder flexibility and relieve pain over time. When stretching, be sure to breathe deeply. Follow any special instructions from your healthcare provider or physical therapist:

  1. Stand in a doorway. Grasp the doorjamb with the hand on the frozen side. Your arm should be bent.

  2. With the other hand, hold the elbow on the side with the involved frozen (stiff) shoulder firmly against your body.

  3. Standing in the same spot, rotate your body away from the doorjamb. Stop when you feel the stretch in the shoulder. At first, try to hold the stretch for 5 seconds.

  4. Work up to doing 3 sets of this stretch, 3 times a day. Work up to holding the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds.

Note: Keep your arms as still as you can. Over time, rotate your body a little more to enhance the stretch. But be careful not to twist your back.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is another name for adhesive capsulitis, which causes restricted movement in the shoulder. If you have frozen shoulder, this stretch may cause discomfort, especially when you first get started. A few months may pass before you achieve the results you want. But once your shoulder heals, it rarely becomes frozen again. So stick to your stretching program. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.

Updated:  

April 20, 2018

Reviewed By:  

Bellendir, Trina, MSPT, CLT,Joseph, Thomas N., MD