Improve Posture and Shoulder Pain with this Super Shoulder Exercise for Parkinson’s

The muscles of the upper back are very important to posture and the stabilization of the shoulder. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body which means it’s predisposed to injuries and pain.

Specifically for people with Parkinson’s, the upper back and shoulders are prone to pain and dysfunction because of poor posture associated with rounded backs created by Parkinson’s disease.

This Parkinson’s shoulder exercise activates your upper back muscles and will help you improve your posture and relieve your shoulder pain.

- Start standing or kneeling in a neutral spine position with legs parallel and hip width apart. You can also do this sitting erect with good posture in a chair without arms.
- Arms down by your side and bent at the elbow 90 degrees. Put a flat item or dollar bill under the bottom edge of your elbow.
- With palms facing upward, grasp the middle of the band a little narrower than shoulder width apart, with slight tension in the band.

- Keep your elbows by your side and forearms parallel to the ground.
- With palms still up and thumbs pointing outward, exhale and pull the band gently and slowly in each direction at the same time (pulling your hands apart from each other).

- Hold for 3 seconds and return.
- Keep your elbows bent at 90 degrees, avoiding extension at the elbow.
- You should feel your shoulders roll backward and your chest move forward.

The item under your elbow should stay in place throughout the exercise.

Note: Always stop the exercise if it increases your pain. Adjust the exercise by using a lighter band, or decrease the range of motion you are exercise with. Always try to keep exercises as pain-free as possible.

Suggested Reps: Build up to 3 sets of 10 -15 reps