Exercises / Shoulder & scapula
Shoulder pendulum (Codman)
- Mobility
- Shoulder & scapula
- Stable table or bench
Let the relaxed arm hang while small body movements create a gentle shoulder swing.
Also called Codman pendulum.
Where you stand
No published distribution for this exercise yet. We add one only from a peer-reviewed study.
Muscles worked
Filled: primary. Outlined: secondary.
How much
Common mobility dose: 30-60 seconds in each direction, as permitted by the rehabilitation protocol.
Start: Standing, leaning with one hand supported
Steps
- Support the unaffected hand on a stable surface and lean forward.
- Let the working arm hang loosely.
- Rock the body gently to make the arm swing forward and back, then in small circles.
Cues
- The arm stays relaxed
- Make the movement with the body
Common mistakes
- Actively lifting the arm
- Large fast circles
- Shrugging the shoulder
Used for
- Gentle shoulder movement when active elevation is limited
Take care (2)
- Follow surgical restrictions on shoulder motion.
- Stop if swinging provokes pain or instability.
Evidence (1)
- In a small healthy-volunteer EMG study, Codman pendulums showed activity similar to passive motion; it did not test clinical outcomes.1
References (1)
- Dockery ML, Wright TW, LaStayo PC. Orthopedics. 1998;21(11):1181-1184. Electromyography of the shoulder: an analysis of passive modes of exercise