Active assisted shoulder flexion using your own arm is a gentle range of motion exercise often prescribed in the early stages of shoulder rehabilitation. It’s particularly useful when one shoulder is weak, painful, or recovering from surgery or injury. The unaffected arm helps to guide and support the movement, reducing strain on the healing shoulder while encouraging mobility. This exercise targets the shoulder flexors, including the anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, and upper fibres of the pectoralis major, and is commonly used to restore functional arm elevation.
- Sit or stand comfortably with both arms relaxed at your sides.
- Interlock your fingers or place the hand of your stronger arm underneath the wrist or forearm of your affected arm.
- Begin to slowly lift your affected arm forward and upward by using your stronger arm to assist the movement.
- Keep your elbows straight and shoulders relaxed throughout the movement.
- Raise the arm only as far as is comfortable, ideally until you feel a gentle stretch or reach the limit set by your physiotherapist.
- Pause briefly at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the arm back down using the assisting arm to control the descent.
- Breathe normally and avoid holding your breath during the movement.
- Complete repetitions as prescribed by your physiotherapist.