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Phsyical Therapy Shoulder & Back Exercises

The goal of physical therapy is to increase flexibility in an injured part of the body and strengthen the muscle as it heals. Back and shoulder physical therapy is necessary to loosen the muscle and joints after an injury. Everyone's injury is different, and while you'll need a custom physical therapy program laid out by a licensed therapist, there are basic back and shoulder exercises that will help you in between visits.

  1. Abdominal Bracing

    • Abdominal bracing will strengthen your core muscles, which will offer better support for the lower back. This physical therapy exercise is a basic exercise that focuses on clenching your abdominal muscles. To do this, lie on your back with your feet on the floor and your legs slightly bent. Pull your lower abdominal muscles in toward the floor, imagining that you're trying to touch the floor with your belly button. Remember to keep breathing for this exercise, and make sure a licensed professional who is fully acquainted with your condition is observing.

    Back Stretching

    • To practice back strengthening exercises, start by lying on the floor on your stomach. It may make the position a little more comfortable if you slide a pillow under your pelvis, especially if you are on thin carpeting. Lift your head and chest off of the floor, which will curve your back upward as well. You may only be able to lift your body up a small amount at first, but as your back becomes more flexible, you will find the exercise easy. Lying on your back and lifting your knees to your chest is another effective physical therapy exercise.

    Back Strengthening

    • This basic back strengthening exercise requires you to lie on the floor on your stomach. Again, you can use a pillow under your pelvic bone if this makes it more comfortable. Place your arms straight out ahead, and lift them off the floor, almost like a "Superman" flying position. An extension of this exercise is to lift one leg off the floor while you are lifting your arms.

    Shoulder Loosening

    • Physical therapy exercises for your shoulders will help you increase range of motion in your shoulder socket, relax your shoulder and relieve pain. Lie across your bed or couch and allow one arm to hang over the edge loosely. Gently swing your arm back and forth, not allowing your neck muscles to contribute to the movement. This same type of exercise can also be done by leaning forward and holding onto a chair for support. With the hand not holding the chair, swing your arm around in circles, widening the circles as your body becomes more relaxed.

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