Shoulder Stability Matrix
EXERCISE OF THE WEEK: Shoulder Stability Matrix
Another common issue among new mommas is shoulder instability. You may feel popping with lifting and reaching tasks or feel like your shoulder shifts within the joint. This can occur due to the increased laxity and the increased demand on the shoulders with the many new tasks of motherhood. The shoulder stability matrix uses slow movements with resistance to work the stability of your shoulder joints throughout their full ranges of motion.
Instructions: Anchor resistance band in door near shoulder height. Begin standing with arms straight out in front of your holding a resistance band in both hands with knees slightly bent and core engaged. First – initiate movement by squeezing the shoulder blades together as pull the elbows back at shoulder height. Second – keeping elbows still, rotate the wrists directly up toward the ceiling. Third – while keeping shoulder blades squeezed back, push arms directly up toward the ceiling until elbows are straight. Fourth – keeping arms straight and shoulder squeezed back, lower arms back to shoulder height with arms still out at your sides. Fifth – slowly move arms back to starting position straight out in front of you. Repeat the entire sequence 5x and perform 2-3 sets.
Performing this exercise regularly can help to strengthen the shoulders to make all the lifting, carrying, reaching of new motherhood easier and can help to keep the shoulders from popping with these movements. Let us know how the shoulder matrix goes for you!
