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Physiotherapist Olivia Hadfield
Updated 20-6-25
How Often
Complete three times per week
Additional Notes
3x/ week for strengthening and daily / every second day for mobility.
PNF: contract 5s and relax 10-20s and repeat 5-6 x in internal/ external rotation / abduction. Use the door or opposite arm for the resistance :)
1Shoulder Abduction Pulley
  • Stand under your shoulder pulley device and hold on to the handles.
  • Extend one arm out to your side with the other handle resting in front of your chest.
  • Pull down slowly on the handle in front of your chest to assist you raising your opposite arm above your head.
  • Gently guide your arm back down by slowly raising your other hand back to the start position.
  • Complete this exercise as prescribed by your physiotherapist.
2Shoulder Flexion Pulley
  • Stand under your shoulder pulley device and hold on to the handles, with both arms in front of you.
  • Extend both arms in front of your chest.
  • Pull down slowly on the handle in front of your chest to assist you raising your opposite arm above your head.
  • Gently guide your arm back down by slowly raising your other hand back to the start position.
  • Either alternate the side you raise by pulling down on the opposite handle, or repeat this action on the desired side as guided by your physiotherapist.
3Scapula Retraction
3 sets of 10 reps
  • Comfortably lie down on your belly.
  • Drop your shoulders down onto the bed/floor.
  • Start by relaxing the muscles at the top of your shoulders (upper trapezius).
  • Slowly engage the muscle from your lower shoulder blade and pull it towards the spine.
  • Hold for 5 seconds or as prescribed.
  • Slowly lower back to the ground.
  • Repeat as per your physiotherapist guidelines.
4Grip Neutral
4 reps
15 seconds
  • Come into a comfortable sitting position with the target limb positioned palm down with the elbow bent to 90 degrees.
  • Bending through the knuckles to grip the object of choice, squeeze inwards to the palm.
  • Hold the contraction as indicated by your Physiotherapist.
5Shoulder Internal Rotation Mobility
  • Come to a standing position and hold the towel with the unaffected limb.
  • Bring the unaffected limb overhead so that the towel hangs straight down.
  • Bring the affected arm behind the back as comfortable and hold onto the other end of the towel.
  • From here, start to bring the affected limb up the back and use the unaffected arm to assist this movement.
  • Complete this movement in a controlled manner and repeat as per physiotherapist instruction.
6Shoulder External Rotation
  • Come to a standing position facing the edge of a door frame.
  • From here, place the affected palm against the side of the door, keeping elbow and arm tucked into the side of your body.
  • Gently turn away from the affected limb until you start to feel a stretch through the shoulder.
  • Repeat as per physiotherapist instruction.