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Exercises for Mobility and Functional Strength

How to Improve Shoulder Extension

There are very few activities of daily living that require us to use our innate capacity for shoulder extension - that is, to actively use our arms while they are behind us. This translates to having short biceps, brachialis, and pectoralis minor muscles, which predispose us to elbow and shoulder issues, including golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, and shoulder impingement syndrome.

For this reason, it's best that we include shoulder extension exercises in our self care programs. Read more

 

The Best Stretch for Tight Shoulder "Shawl" Muscles

If you experience tightness in your shoulder "shawl" muscles, you will likely benefit from this stretch, highly effective for lengthening your trapezius and levator scapulae muscles.

Please be sure to enable audio for guidance. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below or you can always reach me at benkim@drbenkim.com. Read more

 

Posterior Shoulder and Scapular Stretch

This is an excellent stretch for ensuring healthy tone of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that surround the posterior region of your shoulder and your shoulder blade. Read more

 

Basic Tumbling - The Shoulder Roll

If you have enough basic mobility and strength to try some simple tumbling, you might begin with shoulder rolls. You can do these from a kneeling start and try to finish in a balanced state on one foot and one knee. Be sure to tuck your chin toward your chest and roll on the back of your shoulder, not the back of your neck.

Once you feel comfortable doing a shoulder roll from a kneeling start, you can try from a standing start. Read more

 

Elevated Cat Stretch for Back and Shoulder Stiffness

This is another highly effective stretch for improving extension through your thoracic spinal region and flexion of your shoulder joints.

To execute this stretch, you'll need a firm surface like a solid chair to anchor your hands to, as well as a soft surface to rest your knees on. Read more

 

An Effective Stretch for Back and Shoulder Stiffness

This is a highly effective stretch for improving extension through your thoracic spinal region and flexion of your shoulder joints.

To execute this stretch, you'll need a large exercise ball and an object that is heavy enough to allow you to anchor your weight with your hands.

If you don't have an exercise ball, you can create a similar stretch using an ottoman or even a pile of dense blankets or towels. Read more

 

How to Strengthen and Mobilize Your Wrists

If you're keen to improve your overall mobility and functional strength, it's vital that your wrists are healthy and able to bear a good portion of your body weight. Read more

 

Rocking Cobra for Back and Shoulder Stiffness

Alternating between Cobra pose and a kneeling tuck is an excellent way to improve mobility through your spine and shoulders.

When in Cobra pose, squeeze your buttocks and quads to keep your core strong, and focus on keeping your shoulders down and your shoulder blades squeezed toward one another. Cobra pose is highly effective for improving extension through the thoracic region of your spinal column. Read more

 

Shoulder Mobility Exercises While Supine

Here are three simple mobility exercises that one can use while lying on any stable surface to improve shoulder and scapular function. Read more

 

Chinese Arm Circles for Shoulder Mobility and Strength

This is a nice complementary exercise to German Arm Swings when looking to improve shoulder mobility and strength. As you become comfortable with these Chinese Arm Circles while using a very light weight, you can gradually increase the amount of weight you use to further improve mobility and functional strength of your shoulders. Read more

 

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