Shoulder Stretch

Suffering from shoulder pain? If your answer is yes, then you are not alone in this situation. Many people like you experience shoulder pain.

You can face shoulder pain because of many reasons. The most common reasons can be the effect of your daily lifestyle, working schedule, work habits, or if you are doing exercises for the first time.

I experienced shoulder pain because of continuing working hours on my laptop.

So, what is the solution to this common problem? If you are searching for the same answer, then you are in the right place.

If your shoulder pain is due to some injury or medical reasons, then you should consult your doctor for deciding the course of action.

Otherwise, you can try different shoulder stretch exercises for curing your shoulder pain. These stretch exercises help you to maintain the movement of your shoulder.

Also, regular exercise with your shoulder can help in strengthening shoulder muscles and core. So, you should include shoulder stretches in your warmup session or workout session.

If you want to know how to do basic shoulder stretch exercises, then dive into the next section.

How To Do Shoulder Stretches For Pain?

Shoulder stretching exercises engage your shoulder muscles. Thus, it can help you reduce shoulder pain.

Here, I have mentioned the steps to do the basic version of the shoulder stretch. You can do this version as a part of your warmup session.

Step 1: Place your one arm across the body

Step 2: Place your arms parallel to the ground

Step 3: Pull arms towards the chest using another arm

Step 4: Hold for a while

Step 5: Repeat the motion on the other side

For more advanced versions and different shoulder stretch exercises, you can scroll down.

If you want to improve your flexibility with these shoulder exercises, then dive into the next section.

Shoulder Exercises For Flexibility

A flexible body is a dream of most of us. Flexibility allows us to do our tasks efficiently.

To make your complete body flexible, start with making your shoulders flexible. You can do this by trying the different shoulder exercises for flexibility mentioned here:

Overhead Shoulder Stretch

Overhead Shoulder Stretch


For doing overhead shoulder stretch, you can follow the given simple steps:

Step 1: Your legs should be shoulder-width apart

Step 2: Initially, your arms should be hanging on the sides

Step 3: Interlock your fingers with your palms facing down

Step 4: Raise your arm and stretch them over your head. Interlock your fingers. Your palms should be facing towards the ceiling during the stretch.

Step 5: Hold the stretch for 20 seconds and then relax. Repeat the motion a few times.

Towel Shoulder Stretch

Towel Shoulder Stretch

For doing tower shoulder stretch, you can follow the given simple steps:

Step 1: Your feet should be shoulder-width apart

Step 2: Take a medium-sized towel in your right hand.

Step 3: Raise your right hand above and bend it slightly behind the head. The towel should extend in the backward direction.

Step 4: Grab the bottom of the towel with your left hand.

Step 5: Pull the towel with your right hand slowly. Doing this would result in a stretch in the left shoulder.

Step 6: Hold the same position for 20 seconds

Step 7: Pull the towel with the left hand so that the right shoulder experiences stretch.

Step 8: Repeat the entire movement by making the left hand in an upward direction and right hand in the opposite direction.

Shoulder Stretches For Pain

The basic version of the shoulder stretch exercise can help you reduce shoulder pain. Although if you want to do more shoulder stretching exercises, then you can try the below-given shoulder stretching exercises:

Upper Trapezius Shoulder Stretch

Upper Trapezius Shoulder Stretch

For doing upper trapezius shoulder stretch exercise, you can follow the given sequence of steps:

Step 1: Stand or Sit tall.

Step 2: Place your one hand on your lower back

Step 3: Place the other hand on the opposite side of the head

Step 4: Try to pull your head towards the shoulder. You should look straight.

Step 5: Pull until you feel a stretch in your neck

Step 6: Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.

Handcuff Drill Shoulder Stretch

Handcuff Drill Shoulder Stretch

For doing handcuff drill, you can follow the given sequence of steps:

Step 1: Lie on a mat with facing down

Step 2: Place both your palms on the back of your head. Your elbows should point in an outward direction.

Step 3: Extend your arms. Your arms should make a ‘Y’ like shape.

Step 4: Extend your arms as wide as you can. Circle them in a downward direction. Your palms should come to the center of the lower back when facing down.

Step 5: Circle arms in the reverse direction. Doing this will bring you to the initial position.

Step 6: Do ten reps of the same exercise.

Elbow Out Rotator Stretch

Elbow Out Rotator Stretch

For doing elbow out rotator stretch, you can follow the given sequence of steps:

Step 1: Stand or sit tall

Step 2: Place your left hand on the middle of your back. Your elbow should be pointing out.

Step 3: Reach across your body with your right hand and hold the left bicep.

Step 4: Pull the left bicep forward gently

Step 5: Hold the position for 30 seconds.

Step 6: Repeat the entire motion with the other side.

Bent Arm Shoulder Stretch

Bent Arm Shoulder Stretch

For doing bent arm shoulder stretch, you can follow the given sequence of steps:

Step 1: Stand or sit tall

Step 2: Place your one arm across the body

Step 3: Bend the elbow of your hand in 90 degrees

Step 4: Using the other arm, try pulling your elbow towards the opposite shoulder

Step 5: Hold the position for 30 seconds

Step 6: Repeat the same on the other side.

Now that you have learned about various shoulder stretching exercises, it’s time for the final takeaway.

Conclusion

Stretching is always a part of workout and warmup sessions. Stretching helps to make your body more flexible.

Shoulder stretches works on your shoulder muscles. With shoulder stretching exercises, you can easily stay active, fit, and pain-free. Shoulder stretches, when done in the right way, can help you reduce shoulder pain.

So, include these shoulder stretching exercises in your warmup and workout schedule. Do them consistently and observe the results. 

Happy shoulder stretching!!!!!