Supported Shoulder Exercises: Towel Slides

Supported Shoulder Exercises: Towel Slides

Sit at a table for these exercises. Be sure you are able to easily and comfortably bend your elbow to 90 degrees while it rests on the table.

  • Do each exercise 10 to 15 times on your weak arm.
  • Repeat these exercises 2 times each day.
  • Place a towel under your arm for these exercises.
  • Move your arm only. Keep the rest of your body still.

Straight arm side to side (abduction and adduction)

Resting your weak arm on the towel, move the towel from side to side on the table while keeping your arm straight

Arm on table with hand on towel, siding towel over to the right    Hand on table on towel, sliding towel to left

Bent arm side to side (internal and external rotation)

Resting your weak arm on the towel, move the towel side to side while keeping your elbow bent on table. Challenge yourself to reach your hand as far to the right as you can while keeping your elbow still.

Arm on table, hand on towel, elbow bent, slided towel left to right

Back and forth (flexion and extension)

Resting your weak arm on the towel, push the towel back and forth on the table.

Women sits at table with hand on towel, pushed towel forward and back

Circles (circumduction)

Resting your weak arm on the towel, move the towel around in circles in one direction about 10 times. Then make circles in the opposite direction.

Hand on table with towel, makes circle to left  Hand on table on towel makes circle to left

As these exercises get easier for you, try to increase the number of times you do each exercise, or do the exercises more times each day.

© 2009 – July 1, 2019. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.