Shoulder Impingement Exercises

Shoulder impingement is a common condition that causes pain, weakness, and limitation of movement. In this guide, we explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments for shoulder impingement. We introduce you to some shoulder impingement exercises to relieve your symptoms and return to an active lifestyle.
Injurymap helps you treat your pain Learn more
Juhi Modi Medical Writer
Medically reviewed by 

Content:
What is a shoulder impingement?
Exercises for shoulder impingement
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment options
Do I need surgery for shoulder impingement?
Recovery time
When to see a doctor about your shoulder pain
Treating shoulder pain with shoulder impingement exercises

Can’t reach behind to scratch that itch on your back? Do you feel a sharp pain in your shoulder, when you reach for something on an upper shelf? Does your shoulder feel weak in the gym and are you unable to lift as heavy as before? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you could be suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome. It is a common condition that occurs due to injury to the bones and muscles of your shoulder. Luckily, most people improve with shoulder impingement exercises and conservative home remedies.

In this informative guide, we explore the common causes, symptoms, and treatments for shoulder impingement. We also share some effective stretching and strengthening exercises to speed up your recovery. The Injurymap app demonstrates a range of shoulder exercises to guide you through your home rehab. You can do these exercises at your convenience with little to no equipment.

Looking for a solution to shoulder impingement? Try the Injurymap exercise app now.

What is a shoulder impingement?

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body. We use our shoulders to move our arms.The shoulders have a tremendous range of motion. Not surprisingly, any injury to the structures in the shoulder leads to pain and limitation of movement.

Shoulder impingement refers to a painful pinching of the soft tissues of the shoulder. It is a common condition that occurs as a result of injury to the bones and muscles of the shoulder. It frequently affects active adults, especially older individuals.1

Shoulder anatomy

Shoulder impingement often occurs in combination with other painful shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff tendinitis and shoulder bursitis. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff (tendons connect muscle to bone). Bursitis is an inflammation of a shoulder bursa, a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction.

To understand the development of shoulder impingement, let’s take a look at shoulder anatomy. The rotator cuff is a group of large shoulder muscles that we use to perform overhead movements with our arms. In most parts of the body, muscles and tendons surround bones. The shoulder is unique because here the muscles and tendons are sandwiched between bones.1 If you tap the tip of your shoulder, you can feel bone immediately below the skin surface.

Just like a sprained ankle swells up, an injury to the rotator cuff muscles leads to swelling in the shoulder area. But, because of the arrangement of bone over muscle in the shoulder, the swelling causes pressure and squeezing of the muscles and tendons and decreased blood flow.

When a person with shoulder impingement raises their arm above the head, the space in the shoulder joint becomes smaller, causing a pinching of the soft tissues. This is what causes the pain and other symptoms associated with shoulder impingement. The good news is that shoulder impingement exercises can relieve your symptoms and speed up recovery.

Exercises and stretches for shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement responds well to physical therapy rehab. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help you to regain range of motion and rebuild your shoulder strength. Here are a few shoulder impingement exercises that focus on your shoulder, arm, and chest muscles.

  1. Circles on a table I
    60 sec.

    This browser does not support the video element.

    This is a great no-impact warm-up exercise that gets the blood flowing into your shoulder area. It helps prepare your shoulder muscles for a workout. This exercise also gently improves the range of motion in your shoulder.

    • Sit facing a table with your hand resting on the table and a cloth under the palm of your hand.
    • Slowly wipe off the table in small circles both clockwise and counterclockwise as far as possible in all directions.
    • Make small circles clockwise and counterclockwise for about 1 minute with each arm.
  2. Pectoral stretch
    30 sec. x 3 sets

    This browser does not support the video element.

    Tight pectoral (chest) muscles can affect shoulder movement and cause shoulder injuries. This exercise helps to lengthen your chest muscles and make them more flexible.

    • Stand by the edge of a wall.
    • Lift your arm up until it is in an approx.
    • 60 degree angle.
    • Rest the elbow against the wall and lean forward until you feel it stretching in the breast muscle.
    • Perform three repetitions with each arm for a duration of 30 seconds with a short break between each repetition.
  3. Supraspinatus stretch
    30 sec. x 3 sets

    This browser does not support the video element.

    This exercise gives your supraspinatus muscle a good stretch. The supraspinatus is one of the four rotator cuff muscles that we use to move the arm away from the body. When the supraspinatus is short and tight, it becomes weak and limited in movement. Stretching the supraspinatus helps to keep it strong and flexible.2

    • Stand up with your hands together behind your back.
    • Pull the shoulder blades together, then pull one arm slightly upwards using the other arm until you reach a point where you can feel the stretch.
    • Hold the position for 30 seconds and then switch to the other arm.
    • Perform 3 repetitions on each arm with a small break between each repetition.
  4. Infraspinatus exercise I
    8 reps x 3 sets

    This browser does not support the video element.

    This exercise focuses on the infraspinatus muscle, which is one of the four rotator cuff muscles. It is a strengthening exercise that makes your shoulder stronger and fitter and protects it from future injuries.

    • Stand up or sit on a chair without armrests.
    • Keep your arm tight to the body and pull your shoulder slightly back.
    • Bend your elbow 90 degrees, and place the exercise band around your hand and hold it with the other hand.
    • Turn the arm outwards so that the exercise band is tightened.
    • Perform 3 sets of 8 repetitions with each arm.

Avoid these exercises if you have shoulder impingement

Even though shoulder impingement is a painful condition, it’s important not to immobilize your shoulder joint completely during recovery. Doing this can lead to more stiffness and weakness. However, during your rehab from shoulder impingement, you should avoid certain activities that can make the injury worse. Exercises and activities you should avoid include overhead throwing, such as in sports like softball, baseball, and tennis. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid certain weightlifting exercises that involve overhead movements, such as a shoulder press.

If you enjoy swimming, consider taking a break and training with physical therapy exercises to strengthen your shoulders until the injury heals.3

Shoulder pain

Symptoms

The main symptom of shoulder impingement is a sudden pain with overhead or backward movements of the arm. Other symptoms of shoulder impingement can include:1,3,4

  • Shoulder pain when reaching for something on an upper shelf, throwing a ball overhead, or reaching back to zip or button your clothes
  • Difficulty reaching behind your back, for example, to scratch an itch
  • Weakness of your arm and shoulder muscles
  • A constant, dull pain in the upper arm
  • Shoulder and arm pain that is worse at night, especially when lying on the affected side
  • Shoulder pain that comes and goes and becomes more frequent over time
  • Swelling and tenderness of the affected shoulder (it appears bigger than the opposite shoulder and/or is painful to touch)

Causes

Shoulder impingement is caused by injured muscles and tendons in the shoulder. It is common among older adults above age 50, but a person of any age can develop shoulder impingement.4

The most common cause of shoulder impingement is an overuse of the shoulder joint. This is frequently seen in active adults who enjoy swimming, baseball, tennis, or heavy overhead weightlifting.4

Swimming is a common cause of shoulder pain
Shoulder impingement is sometimes also called swimmer’s shoulder for this reason. People in occupations that involve repetitive overhead arm movements or heavy lifting, for example, construction workers, painters, and movers are also at increased risk of developing shoulder impingement.

Some people have an unusually shaped acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder) or a narrow subacromial space (a natural space below the acromion). This type of anatomy can either be inherited or occur as a result of arthritis.

Bone spurs (bony projections) into the subacromial space make it narrow. The presence of these anatomical variations increases your risk of developing shoulder impingement.3,4 Last but not least, poor posture, such as slumping or hunching, can irritate the rotator cuff and cause shoulder impingement symptoms.

Treatment options

There are many effective treatments available for shoulder impingement, including home physical therapy exercises. Because shoulder impingement is typically caused by overuse injury, rest is an important part of recovery. However, it is important to stretch and strengthen the joint with gentle shoulder impingement exercises to avoid further joint stiffness. Some of the treatment options for shoulder impingement include:3

Medications: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce swelling and pain. For more severe shoulder pain, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections to reduce inflammation in the injured tissues.

Icing: Placing an ice pack on your shoulder for 10-15 minutes several times a day can help decrease shoulder pain and swelling.

Regenerative medicine: There are some experimental treatments for shoulder pain, such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy and stem cell injections. However, there is very little clinical evidence to support the effectiveness of these treatments. Experts recommend physical therapy as the fundamental shoulder impingement treatment.4

Do I need surgery for shoulder impingement?

Your doctors will decide whether you need surgery for shoulder impingement. Luckily, most people with shoulder impingement heal without surgery. However, if conservative measures like physical therapy and medications do not adequately relieve your shoulder pain and restore your range of motion, your doctor may recommend surgery for shoulder impingement.

The goal of shoulder impingement surgery is to create room for soft tissues that are getting pinched and squeezed in the shoulder area. Widening the space around the rotator cuff muscles allow them to move freely without rubbing against bone.

Surgeons achieve this by removing bone from under the acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder) or removing an inflamed shoulder bursa (a bursa is a fluid-filled sac in the joint that reduces friction). If you have a tear in your rotator cuff muscles, the surgeon may recommend repairing it and reattaching the torn tendons.4

Recovery time

Once you develop shoulder impingement, it can take 3 to 6 months to heal and become pain-free. If your shoulder injury is more severe, the recovery time for shoulder impingement can be up to one year.3 However, most people can begin normal activities within 2-4 weeks. The best way to speed up recovery is to participate in a regular stretching and strengthening program with shoulder impingement exercises.

What happens if shoulder impingement is left untreated?

If left untreated, shoulder impingement can lead to serious complications like a rotator cuff tear which may require surgical treatment.5 Other complications of untreated shoulder impingement include adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), cuff tear arthropathy (degeneration of the rotator cuff), and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (long-lasting pain and swelling in the upper limb).6

How to prevent shoulder impingement in the future

You can reduce your risk of developing shoulder impingement in the future by:

  • Stretching the muscles of your shoulders, neck, arms, and chest
  • Building strength in your shoulder muscles
  • Maintaining a good posture (avoid sitting hunched over at a desk or computer for long periods)
  • Practicing the proper technique for overhead and throwing motions during sports

When to see a doctor about your shoulder pain

Call emergency medical assistance if you are experiencing shoulder pain along with chest tightness and difficulty breathing as this could be a symptom of a heart attack.

Most people with shoulder impingement get better with home remedies, including rest, ice, pain relievers, and physical therapy exercises. However, you should schedule a visit to your doctor’s office if your symptoms include swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness around the shoulder joint along with shoulder pain. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following signs and symptoms accompanying your shoulder pain:7

  • Your shoulder joint appears visibly deformed (out of shape compared to the other side)
  • You cannot move your arm or use your shoulder joint
  • You have severe, unrelenting pain that does not go away with medication
  • You develop sudden swelling in the shoulder area

Treating shoulder pain with shoulder impingement exercises

Shoulder impingement is a common condition that can put the brakes on the active lifestyle you love. Pain, stiffness, and restricted movements can make it difficult or even impossible to do your activities of daily living. But you don’t have to live with shoulder impingement symptoms. Physical therapy rehab is an effective treatment for most people with shoulder impingement. Exercise can help you return to full shoulder function and pain-free activities.

The Injurymap app demonstrates a range of stretching and strengthening exercises for your shoulders, neck, arms, and chest. You can work out the muscles that are directly responsible for shoulder movements as well as the muscles that support the functioning of this complex joint. Regularly exercising your shoulder muscles will not only improve your shoulder impingement symptoms but also protect you from future shoulder injuries.

All exercises in the Injurymap app can be conveniently performed at home with minimal equipment. The app shows you the correct posture, form, and technique to do each exercise. It’s easy to do shoulder impingement exercises with clear verbal instructions and videos. Don’t let shoulder impingement prevent you from doing the things you love – start using the Injurymap app today.

Begin your 14-day free trial of the Injurymap app today!

Treat your pain with Injurymap

Download the app to get a customized program that addresses your specific pain with exercises.

About the author

Juhi Modi has two decades of experience as a medical writer with varied interests and an enduring passion for health, biology, and science. She uses her educational background in medicine to write science-backed articles for clients around the world.

Related articles
Shoulder pain

Rotator cuff exercises and stretches
Shoulder pain

Frozen Shoulder? Try These Exercises!
Shoulder pain

The Best Stretches for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain

Is Your Shoulder Pain due to a Pinched Nerve?

Shoulder pain

Shoulder Popping, Clicking and Cracking: What Does It Mean?
Shoulder pain

Shoulder Blade Pain: Your Guide to Pain Relief

References:

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7079-impingement-syndrome-of-the-shoulder ↩

  2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching ↩

  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/shoulder-impingement#exercise ↩

  4. https://www.sports-health.com/sports-injuries/shoulder-injuries/shoulder-pain-it-shoulder-impingement ↩

  5. https://www.choosept.com/symptomsconditionsdetail/physical-therapy-guide-to-shoulder-impingement ↩

  6. https://www.medscape.com/answers/92974-94553/what-are-the-complications-of-an-untreated-shoulder-impingement-syndrome ↩

  7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/shoulder-pain/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050696 ↩