Do You Have Parkinson’s Shoulder Stiffness? Do the Stick Row!

Parkinson’s disease can stiffen the muscles in your chest and shoulders, causing you to stoop forward. With a stooped posture, your shoulder blades can’t sit or glide normally on the ribs. This can result in pain in your upper back and shoulders.

Routinely encouraging your shoulders, shoulder blades, and spine to move is crucial to counteracting stooped posture and relieving the pain associated with it. Maintaining an upright posture will also promote normal breathing and improve your heart and gut function.

Bringing your elbows up while relaxing your shoulders is difficult for most people with Parkinson’s. Your shoulder blades (scapula) and arm bones (humerus) must work together in a simultaneous, synchronized pattern.

This basic beginner “Upright Row Stick Stretch” is great for stretching your shoulders and upper back and regaining valuable range of motion.

Check out this video to see how to do the Basic Upright Row Stick Stretch for Parkinson’s stiff shoulders and stooped posture:

Here are the steps to do the basic “Stick Row” stretch:

• Start by standing or sitting up tall, holding the stick horizontally with palms toward your body. Make sure your feet are wider than hip-width apart.

• Next, gently raise your elbows, as if two strings were pulling them up. Stop when the stick reaches your belly button, even if you feel you can go higher. Your wrists and the stick should be BELOW your elbows.

• Keep your neck long and shoulders relaxed. Do not shrug your shoulders or round your back.
• Hold here with elbows high, breathe, and return to resting position.
• Try to increase your stretch with pain-free range of motion. Feeling the stretch is fine, but pain should be minimal. Don’t contort your body to get more range.
• Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

Add this to the other basic stick stretches listed below. These are great stretches either before your workout or at the end as a cool-down. Stay tuned for other stick stretches!

• Do this Stick Stretch for Parkinson’s Stooped Posture
• Must-do Pendulum Stick Stretch for Parkinson’s Stooped Posture

💜 Coach Kimberly