Arm Exercise Program - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Arm Exercise Program1 of 8
PATIENT & CAREGIVER EDUCATON
Arm Exercise Program
This information describes an arm exercise program that will help you with your recovery.
Doing arm exercises with gentle movements will help prevent sti?ness. It will also help you move better and get
back your strength and endurance.
The arm exercises below will help you work on a range of muscle groups. If you have weakness in 1 arm, you can
change the exercises as described in the instructions. Your occupational or physical therapist may change the
exercises to meet your needs.
Exercise Tips
•
Dress comfortably. Your clothes should not limit your movements. Wear a hospital gown, pajamas, or
athletic clothing.
•
Move slowly through all the movements.
•
Do not hold your breath while doing any of these exercises. Breathe deeply. Count out loud during the
exercises to keep your breaths evenly paced and remind you to breathe.
•
Do the exercises lying in bed or sitting up straight in a chair. You can also try to do them while standing
or sitting at the edge of your bed. If you do them this way, make sure another adult is around. This will
help to make sure you are safe and reduce your risk of falling.
•
Stop any exercise that causes you pain or discomfort and tell your occupational or
physical therapist.
Continue to do the other exercises.
•
If you have any questions, talk with your physical therapist or occupational therapist.
Exercises
Shoulder shrugs
(elevation/depression)
1.
Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears
(see Figure 1).
2.
Drop them down (see Figure 2).
Repeat _______ times.
Do _______ repetitions _______ times per dayFigure 1Figure 2
Arm Exercise Program2 of 8
Shoulder retraction and protraction
Shoulder retraction (draw back)
1.
Squeeze your shoulder blades together (see Figure 3).
2.
Hold for _______ seconds.
3.
Relax.
Repeat _______ times.
Do _______ repetitions _______ times per day
Shoulder protraction (draw forward)
1.
Draw your shoulders forward (see Figure 4).
2.
Hold for _______ seconds.
3.
Relax.
Repeat _______ times.
Do _______ repetitions _______ times per day
Shoulder circles
1.
Roll your shoulders forward in a circle _______ times
(see Figure 5).
2.
Roll your shoulders backwards in a circle _______ times
(see Figure 5).
3.
Relax.
Do _______ repetitions _______ times per day