
Identify your rehab phase—phase 1, phase 2, or phase 3—and tailor shoulder range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. Evaluate posture to guide safe progress and return your shoulder to full function.
Distinguish the three phases of shoulder injuries, from severe pain and limited motion to near-full recovery, and design a safe, advanced exercise plan for return.
Improve shoulder health by replacing negatively charged emotional words with a positive attitude, mindful breathing, and objective language, while keeping the scapula back and down to support the rotator cuff.
Learn how diaphragmatic breathing uses the respiratory diaphragm to relax neck and shoulder muscles and shift the nervous system toward rest and digest, and practice 15 minutes daily.
Learn the difference between open and closed chain exercises for shoulder rehab in phase 1, using pendulum warmups to regain range of motion safely.
Perform phase 1 shoulder rehab to prevent a frozen shoulder using flexion, abduction, extension, and external rotation with closed- and open-chain exercises, 10 to 15 repetitions, three times daily.
Phase two shoulder rehab emphasizes increasing active range of motion, stretching, trigger point work, and cross friction massage to the supraspinatus tendon, with guided warm-ups and symptom monitoring.
Identify and treat trigger points in rotator cuff muscles by evaluating tenderness, using self-massage tools, and applying 30 seconds to a minute per sore spot, plus posture and band strengthening.
Phase 3 establishes a sustainable upper-body program for the shoulder to be practiced 2–3 times weekly, with wall angels, rotator cuff work, push-ups, planks, and side planks.
Perform advanced phase 3 shoulder presses and one-arm rows with a straight spine and core. Pair these with cross-body and capsule stretches to improve shoulder flexibility and range of motion.
As a Physical Therapist for over 25 years, I have treated hundreds of shoulder injuries and I would like to share my knowledge with this class. Although shoulder injuries are, unfortunately, very common, they can be complex to effectively treat. Posture, emotional health, trigger points, rotator cuff weakness, poor breathing patterns, and muscle tightness can all play significant roles in shoulder dysfunction and pain. Since no 2 shoulder injuries are alike, I have created 3 levels of exercises and self treatments based on the severity of your shoulder injury. My goal with this class is to not only educate you about your shoulder and help you feel better, but to to help you establish a long-term, sustainable program for continued shoulder health and function.