Back Rehabilitation for the Shoulder Area

Back rehabilitation is a general term that can be described as rehabilitation to any area of the back for treatment to help a patient who has undergone surgery or has suffered any form of muscular or spinal damage in an injury. Depending on which area of the back needs treatment, rehab programs will vary in length, exercise types and intensity. Back rehab for the shoulder area focuses on improving flexibility, range of motion and strength while decreasing stiffness of the muscles that make up the entire shoulder and upper back.

Strength of the shoulder is dependent on the coordination of different groups of muscles including the rotator cuff muscles, the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles as well as the muscles that support the scapulae (shoulder blades). The most common cause of shoulder pain begins with an injury to the rotator cuff muscles. Another cause of shoulder pain results from poor posture or body mechanics. As with any form of back rehabilitation, stretching is important to begin a session to loosen any stiffness of the muscles. When properly stretched, the muscles will warm and loosen and offer less resistance during the remainder of the rehab session. The most common beginner shoulder exercises are the pendulum exercises. These exercises involve the patient correctly bending over with their arm hanging down toward the floor. They will then make small circular movements with their hand to effortlessly move their injured shoulder. Additional exercises with varying degrees of intensity will be included and adjusted depending on the patient’s tolerance and ability. Some of these exercises include forward elevation, supine press, and internal/external rotation of the rotator cuff muscles and shoulder shrugs, which can help to increase the strength of the trapezius. It is very important not to overwork the rotator cuff muscle group. This group is not a heavy lifting group of muscles; therefore they can be exercised with little to no weights added. Applying too much weight during exercise to this area would constitute improper rehab of the rotator cuff and could result in further injuring the area and causing painful inflammation. Along with rehabilitation to the shoulder itself, exercises and stretches that include the cervical spine muscles as well as the upper back muscles should be performed for optimal corrective care.

References Cited in this Article

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