For people with Parkinson’s, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) can come out of nowhere and slowly get worse. It’s more common for people with Parkinson’s because of their small arm movement, or lack arm movement. This not only affects the shoulder capsule, but it involves the shoulder blades and other surrounding structures as well.
Unfortunately, Parkinson’s frozen shoulder doesn’t get better on its own. It takes patience, persistence, and daily home exercise to encourage the joint to move normally again.
Last week’s blog post featured an exercise using a belt as a pully to get your arm moving behind you. This week’s exercise will encourage shoulder abduction, or arm movement out to the side. Here is exercise #2 for you:
All you need is a wall, a yard-long dowel or cane, and a long sleeve shirt or towel.
- Start with your back against the wall.
- Grab one end of the dowel in your good hand.
- Covering the hand of your tight shoulder with your sleeve or a towel, place it on the opposite end of the dowel. Make sure the back of your hand is against the wall with your thumb up.
- With the uncovered hand (good arm) gently push the covered hand to slide up the wall.
- Hold it in that position for a few moments and then allow it to slide back down, controlling the speed with your good arm.
- The tight shoulder side should be passive/relaxed during this entire exercise.
- Make sure to breathe, and repeat this 10 times, working your way up to 20 repetitions per day.
I have built a series of exercises to work your shoulders… be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you can be the first to know when new exercise videos become available.
Do these exercises even with your good shoulder. Keeping good mobility is always important!
- 💜, Coach Kimberly