To strengthen the muscles that stabilize the shoulder
a. Lie on your back with your arms resting at your sides.
b. Keep your elbow straight, lift your affected arm to shoulder level with your hand pointing to the ceiling.
c. Raise your hand toward the ceiling, lifting your shoulder blade from the floor.
d. Hold for three to five seconds, and then relax, allowing your shoulder blade to return to the floor.
e. Slowly repeat the reaching motion several times.
f. Lower your arm to rest by your side.
2.
To strengthen the shoulder muscles as well as those which straighten the elbow
a. Lying on your back, grasp one end of an elasticized band* in each hand with enough tension to provide light resistance to the exercise, but without causing undue strain.
b. To start, place both hands alongside the unaffected hip, keeping your elbows as straight as possible.
c. Move your affected arm upward in a diagonal direction, reaching out to the side, above your head, keeping your elbow straight**. Your unaffected arm should remain at your side throughout the exercise.
d. During the exercise, stretch the band so that it provides resistance.
*Elasticized bands are marketed as Theraband. They are available in varying strengths (color-coded) to provide progressive resistance. Initially, a three or four foot length band – perhaps with the ends knotted together to improve grip – is sufficient for the exercise. To increase resistance as strength improves, the next density of Theraband can be purchased, or two or more bands of the original density can be used at once. Theraband can be obtained from a medical supply company. Similar elastic bands or cords are also available at many sporting goods stores where exercise equipment is sold.
**If it is too difficult to keep the elbow straight, the exercise can be done with the elbow bent. If you cannot grip with your hand, a loop can be tied at the end to slip your hand partially through the loop, leaving the thumb out to “catch” the loop during upward movement.