Aquatic therapy exercises for the rotator cuff -- the muscle that allows for the movement of your shoulder -- help people with arthritis and those who are recovering from an injury or surgery. The water allows you to exercise your shoulder joint while placing minimal stress on it. Aquatic exercise allows you to perform exercises more comfortably, which can get you back to your normal activities quicker. Consult your doctor before beginning exercises.
Arm Circles
Arm circles can help strengthen your rotator cuff and increase the range of motion in your shoulder. You should do this exercise standing in water that falls just above your shoulders or seated in water that falls just above your shoulder. Keep your back straight and raise both of your arms out in front of you. Your arms should be fully extended and raised so they're a few inches below the surface of the water. While keeping your elbows straight, make small circles with your arms. As your range of motion increases, begin to make larger circles. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions. Avoid raising your arms out of the water as you complete this exercise.
Arm Extensions
Arm extensions help increase the strength in your shoulder following a rotator cuff injury. Stand in water that's just above your shoulders, your back straight and feet shoulder-width apart. Position your arms at your side with your palms facing your body. Slowly raise your arms to the side while keeping your elbows straight and your palms down. Raise your arms to shoulder level and avoid moving your arms outside of the water. Slowly lower your arms to the starting position and repeat. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions.
Forward Reach
A forward reach exercise helps increase strength and range of motion in your shoulder following an injury to your rotator cuff. Sit or stand in water that falls just above your shoulders with your back straight. Position your arms at your sides in a neutral position. Keeping your elbows straight and palms facing the bottom of the pool, slowly raise your arms in front of you. Raise them as high as you comfortably can without leaving the water. Slowly lower your arms back down to your sides and repeat. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions.
Shoulder Shrugs
Shoulder shrugs can help increase strength, stability and range of motion in your shoulders following an injury to your rotator cuff. Stand straight up with your feet hips-width apart in water that falls just above your shoulder level. Position your arms straight down at your sides, your hands touching your thighs. Slowly roll your shoulders forward. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions. Relax and then slowly roll your shoulders backward. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions.
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