Stretch the Shoulder!

Start this Shoulder stretching exercise by standing erect, head level, and one arm horizontal. With your other hand grasp the elbow of the horizontal arm and slowly pull towards the opposite shoulder. Hold this position for a count of 10, then proceed to do the other shoulder.

Muscles Stretched: The primary shoulder muscle that is stretched during this exercise is the posterior fascicle of the middle deltoid, the teres minor and the infraspinatus. Additional shoulder muscles stretched are the middle and inferior portions of the trapezius muscle and the rhomboid major.

Variations of the Shoulder stretching exercise

Benefits Shoulder Stretching:

1. Increase flexibility to the shoulder muscle group
2. Improve circulation to the shoulder muscle group
3. Prior to exercises this stretches, loosens and warms up the shoulder muscles so that it is prepared for the strain of the exercise.
4. After the exercises stretching the shoulder muscle group will loosen the muscles, and get the blood circulating to remove the lactic acid from the muscles exercised and assists in relieving the delayed soreness from the strenuous exercises performed.

Note:

If you have an injury or pain to the shoulder area check with your health care provider to see if this exercise is one you should be able to do.  Stretching the Shoulder muscle group with an injury will only do more harm than good.