PNF Shoulder Exercises

PNF--proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation--is a concept developed by Dr. Herman Kabat, a neurophysiologist, and physical therapist Maggie Knott in the 1940s and 1950s. Through observing the patients they treated, they noted that everyday motions were made up of multidirectional movements. They designed PNF exercises to incorporate multiple movements in a single exercise for both upper and lower extremities. For the shoulder, PNF exercises are an energy efficient way to exercise the full range of motion available.

Shouder Exercise Diagonal 1

Begin with an arm down, away from your side about 45 degrees and your hand rotated inward so that your thumb is pointing toward your body. The movement is in a upward diagonal, across your body and ending with the elbow slightly bent and the hand next to the opposite cheek, palm facing toward body. Reversing the motion, bring the arm back down to the original position. Repeat this pattern for one to two minutes or until fatigue. To increase the resistance, add a light cuff weight to the wrist.

Shoulder Exercise Diagonal 2

Begin with an arm up, away from your head about 45 degrees and your palm facing outward away from your body. The movement is in a downward diagonal, across your body and ending with the elbow slightly bent and the hand next to the opposite hip, palm facing in toward the body.Reversing the motion, bring the arm back down to the original position. Repeat this pattern for one to two minutes or until fatigue. To increase the resistance, add a light cuff weight to the wrist.

Warning

Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program. PNF exercises are not suggested as part of a rehabilitation program without a physician's consent.