Shoulder, Phase 1 · Exercise 3 of 5 SH-1 #3

Passive Shoulder ROM with Dowel

Clinical content from the Auto Injury Chiropractic home rehab program. Final clinical reviewer: Dr. Seth Hill, DC. How we review content

Restore motion without using injured muscles

These exercises are for education. After a car accident or injury, get checked by a provider before you start. They do not replace an exam.

Dose2 times a day, 8 to 10 reps in each direction

You needA broom, wooden dowel, golf club, or PVC pipe, about 3 feet long

Demonstration video: Shoulder Exercises Using a Cane (physical therapy) (Bob & Brad). Follow the steps on this page if the video differs.

Photos

Shoulder Range of Motion with a Dowel: Dowel range of motion, position 1 — Dowel range of motion, position 1

Shoulder Range of Motion with a Dowel: Dowel range of motion, position 2 — Dowel range of motion, position 2

Shoulder Range of Motion with a Dowel: Dowel range of motion, position 3 — Dowel range of motion, position 3

Shoulder Range of Motion with a Dowel: Dowel range of motion, position 4 — Dowel range of motion, position 4

Why it helps

After a shoulder injury, the muscles tighten up and guard. Moving the injured shoulder using your OTHER arm (instead of the injured-side muscles) works on restoring motion without making the injured tissue work.

How to do it

Stand or sit tall. Hold the broom with both hands, palms facing down. Hands shoulder-width apart.
Flexion (forward and up): let the uninjured arm push the broom forward and up. The injured shoulder is along for the ride. Move only as high as you can without sharp pain. Lower slowly. Do 8 to 10 reps.
Abduction (out to the side): use the uninjured arm to push the broom AWAY from the injured side. The injured arm gets carried outward. Lower slowly. Do 8 to 10 reps.
Adduction (across the body): hold the broom with both hands at chest height in front of you. Use the uninjured arm to pull the broom ACROSS your body toward the uninjured side. The injured arm crosses passively in front of your chest. Stop where you feel a gentle stretch in the BACK of the injured shoulder. Do 8 to 10 reps.
Extension (backward): hold the broom behind your back with both hands. Use the uninjured arm to slowly pull the broom AWAY from your low back. The injured arm gets gently extended backward. Do 8 to 10 reps. The injured shoulder muscles should do ZERO work in any of these motions.

Too hard? Try this

If BOTH shoulders are injured, skip the broom. Stand facing a kitchen counter or sturdy table about 2 to 3 feet away. Place both forearms on the counter, palms down. Slowly bow at your hips, dropping your trunk DOWN while keeping your forearms on the counter. Your arms naturally lift overhead as your trunk lowers. Stop where you feel a stretch, NOT pain. Hold 5 seconds. Slowly stand back up. Do 8 reps.

Too easy? Try this

Increase the range slightly. Or add a 5-second hold at the end of each motion before returning.

Common mistakes

You let the injured-side muscles do work instead of letting the broom and other arm move you.
You push past pain.
You move too fast and lose control of the broom.

You should feel

A gentle stretch at the end of each motion.
The shoulder moving smoothly without your help.

You should not feel

Sharp pain in the shoulder.
Numbness or tingling down the arm.
A "catching" or "popping" feeling.

Stop right away if

Sharp shoulder pain during the motion.
Numbness or tingling down the arm or into the hand.
A loud pop or catch in the shoulder.
Sudden weakness in the arm.

If you are one of our current patients, call the clinic and inform your provider right away, or seek emergency care right away. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Research behind this program