Working with our resident physical therapist, Tim, he listed out 3 exercises he has his patients do with their shoulder pulleys.
Abduction
This exercise focuses on the supraspinatus, deltoid, trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles.
Have the patient sit with their back to the door.
While pulling down with the handle, allow opposite, injured shoulder to passively stretch upward. Try to maintain contact against the door while sliding the elbow of the injured shoulder up and down.
Horizontal External Rotation
This exercise focuses on 2 of the rotator cuff muscles, infraspinatus and teres minor.
Put the web strap or the metal bracket in the hinge of the door at elbow height. Stand perpendicular to the door.
With the exercise arm closest to the door, hold elbow at side and forearm parallel to the floor. Rotate inward toward your body. Keep handle in the thumbs up position.
Flexion
This exercise focuses on the anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, and coracobrachialis muscles.
Sit in a chair parallel to the door.
Pull down on the handle opposite of the injured side to passively stretch the injured shoulder up and back.
Medical disclaimer
The information in this article is for general education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a provider-patient relationship with RangeMaster. Recovery plans differ from person to person. Talk with your surgeon, physician, or physical therapist before you start, stop, or change any exercise, product, or treatment, and follow their instructions when they differ from anything you read here.
If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
RangeMaster makes and sells the products linked in this article. Full medical disclaimer.