Question

Patient with Adhesive Capsulitis has been symptomatic for 2 months and has been coming to therapy for 2 weeks. What would be a good Home Exercise Program (HEP)?

Answer 1

For adhesive capsulitis stretching exercises are always the best, but before you start always warm up your shoulder by taking a warm bath or shower for 10 - 15 minutes. Here are some home exercise program for this :

   1)  Pendulum Stretch:

• stand and lean over slightly over a table or beds
• allow the affected arm to hang down
• sling the arm in a small circle ( 10 rotation in each direction )
• then gradually increase the diameter of the circle.

2) Towel Stretch :

• take a three-foot-towel
• hold it behind your back in a horizontal position
• grab one end with the affected arm and the other with the good arm
• now using your good arm pull the affected arm upward in order to stretch it.

3) Finger Walk:

• stand if as you are facing the wall
• touch the wall with your finger tip of the affected arm in a waist level
• then bend your elbow and slowly walk your fingers upward ( like spider)
• do not provide any muscle support do it with the fingers only
• raise your hand as much as you can

4) Cross-Body Reach:

• you can either sit or stand while doing this
• lift the affected arm at the elbow with your good arm
• bring it up an cross your body
• apply gentle pressure to stretch the shoulder
• hold it for 15 to 20 seconds and then repeat it.

5) Outward Rotation:

• hold a rubber exercise band between your hand and your elbow
• at 90 degree angle ( close to your side)
• rotate the lower part of the affected arm outward ( 2 to 3 inches)
• hold it for 5 seconds and then repeat it.

6) Inward Rotation:

• stand next to a close door
• hook one end of the rubber exercise band on the doorknob
• hold the other end in the affected arm
• then pull the band towards your body
• hold for 5 seconds and then repeat it.

All this exercises can be preformed 5 - 10 times a day , but if there is severe pain reduce it. Note that never encourage to do it vigorously.