Passive exercise means you sit back and let someone else do the work for you. Sometimes after an injury or surgery, a person needs someone else such as a caregiver to move his shoulder for him. A physical therapist or her aide may need to do these exercises for you. Relax and let the therapist take you through your entire range of motion.
Shoulder Flexion
The shoulder flexion passive exercise involves moving your shoulder forward and then returning it backward to the starting position. Moving your shoulder forward is an action known as shoulder flexion. The opposite action is shoulder extension. This exercise is done with you, the receiver, lying on your back--likely on a massage table or bed. You can do this on the floor, but it will be less comfortable for the person moving your arm. Have your partner or caregiver (giver) stand on the side with the shoulder that needs to be worked on. For example, have the caregiver stand on your left side and grab your left arm with her left hand on your left wrist and her right hand above your elbow. The palm is turned inward with the thumb on top. Then the arm is lifted straight up, over and back in an arch until the biceps is next to the ear and the thumb faces down. Bring the arm back to the starting position at the side to complete the exercise. Repeat on the other side if you wish.
Shoulder Rotation
The shoulder rotation passive exercise takes the shoulder through internal and external rotation. This is different than doing shoulder circles. Internal and external rotation turn the shoulders in and out. When you cross your arms on your chest, for example, you internally rotate your shoulder. The passive shoulder rotation exercise begins with the receiver lying flat on his back and the receiver standing on the side of the body that has the shoulder to be worked on. The caregiver takes the receiver's arm at the wrist and above the elbow and bends the arm to a 90-degree angle at the receiver's side. The palm faces inward and the fingers point toward the ceiling. The caregiver then rotates the lower arm so the palm moves toward the receiver's stomach. This is internal rotation. Then, rotate the lower arm outward so the palm is facing upward toward the ceiling. This is external rotation. Rotate the arm back to the starting position and repeat on the other side if you wish.
Lateral Shoulder Flexion
The lateral shoulder flexion exercises the shoulder joint by moving the shoulder sideways toward and away from the body. This exercise is done with the receiver lying on her back, though the exercise may be done with a person seated--such as in a wheelchair. The arm begins at the receiver's side with the palm facing in. The caregiver holds the arm at the wrist and elbow. Then, the caregiver lifts the arm out to the side and up over the receiver's head until the triceps touches the side of the head and ear. Lower the arm back to the side of the body. The arm remains straight during this exercise. Repeat on the other side if you wish.
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