I have rotator cuff problems. I had a full thickness tear of my supra spinouts on my right side – about 1996. I do some strengthening exercises from my physiotherapist, as the latest ultra sound shows that tendon is now paper thin. I will consult with him.
I did your test, both arms only got to vertical rotating further back was not possible. I guess a rolled up towel or blanket under the spine would give the lift you suggest?
I can perform your other flexibility drills OK.
Hi Terence,
Thanks for the message. You are correct… a rolled up towel or blanket would be perfect. But, given your significant injury history, I highly recommend seeing your medical team to find the proper phase of rehab you should be adhering to at this time. Good luck to you!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
I can do all the letters except the letter Y. My thumbs can’t reach the ground. I have in the past dislocated both shoulders. Do I just hold in the letter Y position? Will mobility increase over time?
My shoulders lack flexibility. I have been doing similar stretches using the door frame since causing a minor impingement with pull-ups..being a retired Marine at 56 makes me a danger to myself! Carolina Ortho here in Charlotte did great work on my shoulder and knee. Unfortunately I have adjusted poorly (20 pounds) to no running and need to be smarter with the aerobics and strength training! Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the comment… it’s been my pleasure to help. The door stretch is good because, let’s be honest, it’s easy and the frame of a door is readily available. The foam roller is a major step up though. It’s less available and takes a little more work to find the roller and space but to stretch the shoulders correctly I think it’s invaluable. What the door frame lacks in postural training, head placement and total relaxation of the potentially tight tissue, the foam roller completely makes up for. If you don’t use one already, the foam roller would be a great addition to your current routine.
As a San Diego resident I’ve had the opportunity to work with many military men and women. It’s always a humbling experience to be able to give back to them in a small way. Thanks for your service.
Very fine reminder ,Jeremy OF your T I Y W EXERCISE on THE FOAMROLLER Roller for THE rotator cuffs .
As a 100 meters free style swimmer in my younger years (100 m in 56 s ,a High level in THE ’50’s ) ,I was very flexible in THE shoulders ,I would take a towel in my two hands stretched and go over THE head back and forth with THE arms stretched with Great ease .I can’t do it anymore today ,at age 80!
I practise another exercise for THE rotator cuffs :lying on a big table ,hand holding a light dumbell ( 2,5 kgs ),my arm is Bent at 90
I’m not sure if you can ‘correct’ it. I’m glad you don’t do the left arm as you say it hurts… that stretch shouldn’t be done if it hurts. Keeping the elbow at 90 degrees but next to your body may be a better option.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
This one exercise is going to make the difference for me. I sit at a desk, basically hunched over much of the day and I think this is exactly what I need to return the mobility to my shoulders. Thank you.
Both of my shoulders have total replacements. My shoulders will not rotate back to even 90 degrees. Trust me I have worked hard on getting as much rotation as possible. Is this going to cause me to have an over the top move.
No not necessarily. A lack of external rotation may not allow you to get the club shaft deep with the lack of shoulder motion but certainly doesn’t predict over the top. Steep maybe, but not over the top. Your torso, wrists and arms remaining calm as your lower body initiates the return to the ball can help place you in the proper slot more than you think. I have 3 clients with shoulder replacements and they’re all able to manage quite well. The “powerless arms” are key in your situation.
Best of luck!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
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15 Responses to “How To Increase The Shoulder Mobility”
November 21, 2012
terencebensonI have rotator cuff problems. I had a full thickness tear of my supra spinouts on my right side – about 1996. I do some strengthening exercises from my physiotherapist, as the latest ultra sound shows that tendon is now paper thin. I will consult with him.
I did your test, both arms only got to vertical rotating further back was not possible. I guess a rolled up towel or blanket under the spine would give the lift you suggest?
I can perform your other flexibility drills OK.
November 21, 2012
terencebensonI goofed, that should read supra spinatus.
November 26, 2012
Jeremy KlinkhamerHi Terence,
Thanks for the message. You are correct… a rolled up towel or blanket would be perfect. But, given your significant injury history, I highly recommend seeing your medical team to find the proper phase of rehab you should be adhering to at this time. Good luck to you!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
August 8, 2013
CameornWolffI can do all the letters except the letter Y. My thumbs can’t reach the ground. I have in the past dislocated both shoulders. Do I just hold in the letter Y position? Will mobility increase over time?
January 23, 2014
HenryMy shoulders lack flexibility. I have been doing similar stretches using the door frame since causing a minor impingement with pull-ups..being a retired Marine at 56 makes me a danger to myself! Carolina Ortho here in Charlotte did great work on my shoulder and knee. Unfortunately I have adjusted poorly (20 pounds) to no running and need to be smarter with the aerobics and strength training! Thanks for the help!
January 24, 2014
Jeremy KlinkhamerHi Henry,
Thanks for the comment… it’s been my pleasure to help. The door stretch is good because, let’s be honest, it’s easy and the frame of a door is readily available. The foam roller is a major step up though. It’s less available and takes a little more work to find the roller and space but to stretch the shoulders correctly I think it’s invaluable. What the door frame lacks in postural training, head placement and total relaxation of the potentially tight tissue, the foam roller completely makes up for. If you don’t use one already, the foam roller would be a great addition to your current routine.
As a San Diego resident I’ve had the opportunity to work with many military men and women. It’s always a humbling experience to be able to give back to them in a small way. Thanks for your service.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
January 30, 2014
RaymondCHASTELVery fine reminder ,Jeremy OF your T I Y W EXERCISE on THE FOAMROLLER Roller for THE rotator cuffs .
As a 100 meters free style swimmer in my younger years (100 m in 56 s ,a High level in THE ’50’s ) ,I was very flexible in THE shoulders ,I would take a towel in my two hands stretched and go over THE head back and forth with THE arms stretched with Great ease .I can’t do it anymore today ,at age 80!
I practise another exercise for THE rotator cuffs :lying on a big table ,hand holding a light dumbell ( 2,5 kgs ),my arm is Bent at 90
January 30, 2014
Jeremy KlinkhamerI’m not sure if you can ‘correct’ it. I’m glad you don’t do the left arm as you say it hurts… that stretch shouldn’t be done if it hurts. Keeping the elbow at 90 degrees but next to your body may be a better option.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
October 1, 2014
PaulKwonHi Jeremy
You mentioned 3 rotational series.
I cannot easily find the other two.
Can you provide links to them?
October 1, 2014
Jeremy KlinkhamerThe Big 3 are Shoulder, Spine and Hip mobility. There are many posts on the site regarding all of these but here are a couple below:
https://ignitiongolf.com/shoulder-turn-stable-base/
https://ignitiongolf.com/hip-mobility/
Thanks for the question!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
October 1, 2014
Paul WilsonPaul,
Here are some rotational tips I found of Jeremy’s:
https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-trap-rotation/
https://ignitiongolf.com/essential-hip-mobility-golf/
https://ignitiongolf.com/shoulder-mobility/
https://ignitiongolf.com/shoulder-turn-stable-base/
https://ignitiongolf.com/seated-rotation-side-bend/
https://ignitiongolf.com/muscles-backswing-coil/
December 8, 2015
LenKoblenzThis one exercise is going to make the difference for me. I sit at a desk, basically hunched over much of the day and I think this is exactly what I need to return the mobility to my shoulders. Thank you.
November 13, 2018
NormanKlineBoth of my shoulders have total replacements. My shoulders will not rotate back to even 90 degrees. Trust me I have worked hard on getting as much rotation as possible. Is this going to cause me to have an over the top move.
Thank Norm
November 14, 2018
Jeremy KlinkhamerNo not necessarily. A lack of external rotation may not allow you to get the club shaft deep with the lack of shoulder motion but certainly doesn’t predict over the top. Steep maybe, but not over the top. Your torso, wrists and arms remaining calm as your lower body initiates the return to the ball can help place you in the proper slot more than you think. I have 3 clients with shoulder replacements and they’re all able to manage quite well. The “powerless arms” are key in your situation.
Best of luck!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
November 14, 2018
NormanKlineJeremy,
Darn, I thought I had an excuse. Actually I’m glad to hear that I’m not trying to correct something that would be anatomically impossible for me.
Thanks
Norm