Shoulder Pulley Exercises for Physical Therapy

Shoulder pulley exercises are an excellent way to gradually strengthen weak shoulders. They can also aid in the recovery process after shoulder surgery or injury, and relieve conditions such as bursitis, arthritis, and frozen shoulder syndrome.

What is a shoulder pulley?

What are the best ways to use a shoulder pulley for physical therapy?

I'll show you a sequence of 7 shoulder pulley exercises that you may use to gradually, step by step, rehabilitate an injured shoulder. Finally, there are two stretches/strengthening exercises for both shoulders at the end. They're ideal if you're having trouble with one or both shoulders.

Shoulder pulley exercises

For shoulder rehabilitation, repeat these exercises two times per day. For each exercise, complete 3-4 sets with 10 repetitions while holding the stretch in the final position for approximately 10 seconds.

Continue with the following exercise only when you feel capable of doing so. If your motion is really restricted, you should only do the first exercise for a few days before moving on to the second. If you have good motion, though, you may be able to complete all of the exercises at once.

Shoulder pulley exercises
For shoulder rehabilitation, repeat these exercises two times per day. For each exercise, complete 3-4 sets with 10 repetitions while holding the stretch in the final position for approximately 10 seconds.

Continue with the following exercise only when you feel capable of doing so. If your motion is really restricted, you should only do the first exercise for a few days before moving on to the second. If you have good motion, though, you may be able to complete all of the exercises at once.

Exercise 1

For the first shoulder pulley exercise, sit in a chair that is positioned facing the door, with the door anchor fixed above the door. Use your uninjured arm to pull your injured arm forwards and up, gently stretching it. Hold in the final position for 10 seconds before lowering your arm back down.

Exercise 2

After you complete the first exercise while facing forwards, turn your chair 90 degrees to the side and repeat the exercise. Allow your shoulder to stretch gradually and increase its range of motion.

Exercise 3

When you believe your range of motion has improved, face the chair away from the doorway. Raise the injured arm directly in front of you with your uninjured arm, holding for 10 seconds or longer.

Exercise 4

The next stage is to adjust the angle of your arm from your body to 45 degrees. At this angle, complete the same movement as before but stretch your arm to its full extent without causing excessive pain. Hold the position for ten seconds in the end.

Exercise 5

Then, do the same motion with your arm at 90 degrees from your body.

Exercise 6

Perform the next exercise while standing. Raise your injured arm behind your back. Slowly increase the range of motion with small movements.

Exercise 7

Once you've achieved a high level of mobility, start incorporating rotational shoulder exercises. To stretch your arm, stand with the side of your body next to the door. Pull your injured arm so that it is rotating outwards. Hold in this final position and gradually increase the range of motion until you feel a stretch.

Keep your shoulders straight and avoid letting them hunch up or shift forward. Keep your elbow fixed at your side and maintain a natural upright posture. Holding a folded towel between your elbow and body can assist with this. 

If you're looking to improve your range of motion and relieve shoulder pain, try out these seven basic exercises using a shoulder pulley.

If you feel comfortable with the exercises, gradually move on to using a resistance band. This will help you by doing rotational exercises, such as outward rotations, and therefore strengthen your rotator cuff muscles:

These exercises remain in the same form as the last shoulder pulley exercise: upright posture, shoulder not forward or hunched up, and elbow held close to the body. If you need assistance, a rolled-up towel can be used.

Please note: if you are unsure about these exercises or have a serious condition, consult with a physical therapist. Shoulder conditions can vary greatly, so what helps some may not be okay for others.

If you have a general weakness or lack of flexibility in one or both shoulders, the shoulder pulley can help. This is the ideal passive exercise tool for elderly individuals or those suffering from bad shoulder joints.

Performing these activities in a continuous manner, begin by stretching one arm up and holding for a few seconds, then switching to the other side. Continue the stretches or movements for as long as you feel comfortable with them.

Depending on your height, you may need to change the length of the rope by moving the knot under the handle.

Perform these exercises with tension in your arms, pulling down as you go. Developing these muscles will help fortify your rotator cuff as well as other shoulder muscles, which plays a major part in having healthy shoulders overall.

The Verdict

I've been using the RangeMaster BlueRanger Shoulder Pulley with Patient Guide for months now and it's really helped me increase my range of motion. It's affordable and easy to use, which has really eased my shoulder pain.

I highly recommend this product to anyone seeking an easy and affordable way to improve their shoulder range of motion. The Patient Guide is also a great resource for learning new exercises and stretches to keep your shoulders healthy.

Thank you, RangeMaster, for helping me get my life back!