Shoulder Impingement syndrome is a common culprit in shoulder pain and it most often involves pain underneath the top bone area of the shoulder when reaching above shoulder height.
A few of causes for this condition are:
- Rotator cuff muscles are irritated or inflamed;
- Weakness or poor recruitment of the rotator cuff when lifting repetitively over shoulder height;
- Weakness or poor activation of the middle & lower traps muscles when reaching repetitively over shoulder height;
- Inflammation & irritation of the bursa (i.e. bursitis);
If you suffer from this condition, below is a prescribed physical therapy exercise that can be done with a light elastic band resistance, or without.
- Stand and use an exercise band for resistance;
- Face positioned with the band anchored on the opposite side of your body;
- Hold the band in your exercising hand and raise your arm forward at or below a 90 degree angle to the highest pain free point;
- Turn your arm and thumb facing away from the direction of the band;
- Move your arm out to the side pulling against the resistance of the band; and
- Squeeze back with your shoulder blade at the end of the motion
Perform high repetitions until fatigue or approximately 20 repetitions with 2 to 3 sets daily.
Make sure not to exercise into the area that you normally have pain.
Click on our YouTube channel video link below for a tutorial demonstration
*Disclaimer:
Always consult with a qualified licensed physician, physical therapist, or health care specialist before treating any injury problems or health ailments.
