The Benefit of Shoulder Pulleys in Physical Therapy
If you're having trouble using your arm for basic physical activities like brushing your hair or fastening your belt, such as if you have shoulder discomfort or had rotator cuff surgery, it's possible that you're experiencing difficulties. It's also probable that the pain has disrupted your normal sleep cycle.
Physical therapy may be recommended for shoulder discomfort, which is a typical issue that physical therapists can help with. A physical therapist can examine your situation and develop a treatment strategy to enable you to return to normal activity and function as soon as possible and safely.
Goals of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy's main objectives in the treatment of shoulder discomfort include, but are not limited to:
- Decrease pain in the shoulder and arm
- Improve shoulder strength
- Improve range of motion (ROM)
- Maintain proper posture
- Regain normal function of your arm
Common Treatments for Shoulder Problems
Your physical therapist may employ a variety of treatment methods to help you get rid of your shoulder discomfort. Exercise has been shown to be the most successful technique for enhancing arm function if you have shoulder pain or have had shoulder surgery.
A number of factors can lead to a significant loss of range of motion in your shoulder, including:
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Shoulder surgery
- Cervical radiculopathy or a pinched nerve
- Proximal humeral fracture
If you have a significant loss of range of motion in your shoulder due to an injury or condition, see your doctor and physical therapist for treatment.
Physical treatment may include various procedures and exercises to help you improve mobility if your shoulder has ROM loss. They may, for example, manually stretch your shoulder in all directions to increase ROM. Exercises such as the towel shoulder stretch may be used to target your ROM.
Shoulder Pulleys to Improve ROM
Another choice for increasing ROM is to add over-the-door shoulder pulleys. A shoulder pulley, for example, may assist you in stretching your shoulder in various directions to enhance mobility and function.
A shoulder pulley is a device with a small pulley system at the top, and a rope with handles that hangs down from the pulley, attached over the top of a door.
You may use the pulleys to enhance the range of motion in many directions in your shoulder with various shoulder exercises. If you're not sure how to use the pulleys properly, your physical therapist may help instruct you. If you begin aggressive ROM exercises too soon after surgery, you risk injuring your shoulder and delaying healing. Consult your doctor and physical therapist for advice on whether shoulder ROM exercises are appropriate for you.
If your physical therapist thinks you'd benefit from home use of shoulder pulleys, it may be a good investment. They're available here. You can also make your own shoulder pulley set with simple components from your local hardware or home improvement store if you like.
Your physical therapist may request more difficult shoulder pulley exercises if they become simple. A typical sequence of shoulder pulley ROM exercises would be to start with active ROM exercises, followed by strengthening workouts. You should consult with your doctor and physical therapist to ensure that the workouts you do are suitable for your unique condition.
Aching shoulders can make it difficult to use your arm normally and prevent you from working or participating in recreational activities. Strengthening your shoulder range of motion is often required as part of your shoulder treatment. Over-the-door shoulder pulleys may be just the thing to get your shoulders functioning and feeling normal again.
Best Shoulder pulleys equipment available on Amazon:
RangeMaster Molded Rubber Handle Shoulder Pulley ($20.97) - Custom-designed pulley with a zinc-coated metal housing that won’t melt or deform over time and a self-lubricating nylon roller that won't squeak when used. Molded rubber handle provides comfort to your hands while using. It comes with a free Exercise Guide and a 60 day unconditional guarantee.
Lifeline Multi-Use Shoulder Pulley ($15.21) - Lifeline’s patented Grip-All Handle includes a rotating comfort foam handle to decrease joint strain.
Vive Shoulder Pulley ($14.99) - Made with a durable metal casing, the nylon pulley wheel allows the rope to move freely and smoothly throughout the workout. Comes with 60-day money-back guarantee
RangeMaster PullEasy Shoulder Pulley with Patient Guide ($20.27) - Included metal bracket attachment makes it easy to attach the pulley system to the top of the door. Both sides of the bracket are padded with foam or a plastic sleeve. This one comes with grip free sling that allows you to relax your shoulder joint completely during exercise making it a great tool for after surgery recovery. Comes with 60 day unconditional guarantee.
BodyHealt Overhead Shoulder Pulley ($19.49) - Comfortable Workout Equipment. Large foam handles offer optimal comfort and a firm grip when you’re exercising.
BlueRanger Shoulder Pulley with Patient Guide ($13.97) - Made with a forged aluminum pulley with zinc-coated housing that will not bend or deform over time. The nylon web strap that extends over the door hanger makes it simple to hang the pulley system above any closed door. It's accompanied by a patient handbook and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Fanwer Shoulder Pulley ($14.98) - Made with a high quality stainless steel , for long lasting use. The smooth pulley wheel allows the rope to move freely and smoothly throughout the workout.
PinkRanger Shoulder Pulley ($13.97) - PinkRanger contains a custom-designed pulley. Included nylon web strap over door hanger makes it easy to attach the pulley system over the top of any closed door. It comes with a patient guide and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
X-hero Shoulder Pulley ($16.98) - The adjustable rope length offers custom fit and versatility, and the soft foam handles provide superior comfort during use.
Econo Ranger Shoulder Pulley ($15.17) - Made with a custom pulley with zinc-coated housing to resist deformation over time. Wooden handles allow easy adjustability of the 85-inch cord to ensure comfort and easy use. It comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
The Final Verdict
"The BlueRanger Shoulder Pulley with Patient Guide is a great product. It is affordable, effective, and simple to use. The product worked great for me. The easy-to-follow patient guide made the setup process a breeze. The soft handles provided superior comfort during use, and the adjustable rope length ensured a perfect fit. Overall, I highly recommend this product to anyone in need of shoulder rehabilitation."
