Parkinson’s Stooped Posture Causing You Pain? Retract Those Shoulder Blades!

The muscles of the upper back, along with the action of the shoulder blades, are very important to posture and the stabilization of the shoulders. Poor posture associated with Parkinson’s disease often creates tight chest muscles and weak back muscles, which can lead to pain in your shoulders.

Your shoulder blades should “glide and float” on your rib cage. If you have a stooped posture, your shoulder blades can’t sit or glide normally on the ribs. Your chest muscles become tight and pull the shoulders and arm forward, causing pain and complications with the rotator cuff muscles.

Watch my video below to find out how you can treat Parkinson’s stooped posture and get your shoulder blades gliding again with this bent-elbow retraction exercise:

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

• Start standing (or sitting) up straight with your best posture. Bend your elbows as if you were covering your ears or going into a “block” maneuver in boxing.

• Stretch your elbows forward. As you do this, your back will round slightly, and your shoulder blades should separate away from your spine.

• Hold for a moment, then continue by “gliding” your shoulder blades toward each other or toward your spine. Do not squeeze your shoulder blades. Stand or sit tall, then hold for a moment in this position.

• Return to the starting position.

Always stop the exercise if it increases your pain. You can adjust the exercise by lowering your elbow and standing taller. Keep exercises as pain-free as possible. Build up to three sets of 10 repetitions.

This is just one of many exercises to help your posture and shoulder pain. Check out a few other articles on this topic using links below, or go to my website and search “posture,” whereyou’ll find many more!

• Is Your Head on Straight? Improve Your Parkinson’s Stooped Posture!
• Parkinson’s Stooped Posture Causing You Pain? Get your Shoulder Blades Gliding!
• Treat Parkinson’s Stooped Posture with Ball-Assisted Scapular Glides

Stay Hopeful, and Go Forth and Conquer!

💜 Coach Kimberly