17/06/2025
How Pilates Can Help Shoulder Impingement
Pilates is an excellent approach for managing shoulder impingement, as it promotes scapular stability, rotator cuff strength, and proper movement mechanics—all crucial for reducing pain and improving function.
1. Restoring Proper Shoulder Mechanics
One of the main issues with shoulder impingement is poor biomechanics. Pilates encourages controlled, precise movements to prevent excessive upward shifting of the humerus, which contributes to tendon compression.
2. Strengthening Key Muscles
Weak rotator cuff muscles allow the humerus to move too far forward in the socket, causing impingement. Strengthening the lower trapezius, middle trapezius, rhomboids, serratus anterior, and rotator cuff supports better joint alignment and prevents pinching of tendons.
3. Improving Scapular Stability
Many people with shoulder impingement have scapular dyskinesia (poor shoulder blade positioning). Pilates focuses on proper scapular movement, helping avoid excessive protraction or winging, which reduces pressure on the subacromial space.
4. Encouraging Mobility & Pain-Free Movement
Pilates incorporates gentle mobility exercises that help maintain range of motion while avoiding aggravating movements.
Best Pilates Exercises for Shoulder Impingement
✅ Flight – Strengthens scapular stabilizers while reinforcing proper alignment.
✅ Breaststroke Arm Preparation – Builds rotator cuff and lower trapezius strength.
✅ External Rotation with the Band – Helps strengthen and stabilize the shoulder joint.
✅ Triceps & Biceps with the Band (arms by the side) – Works arm muscles without excessive shoulder strain.
✅ Inner Thigh Lift / Double Leg Lift – Engages postural muscles without stressing the shoulder.
Exercises to Modify or Avoid
❌ Overhead movements – Can increase impingement risk.
❌ Planks and push-ups – Tend to overload the anterior shoulder.
❌ Freestyle and Breaststroke Arms – May aggravate symptoms.
❌ Mermaid Stretch – Beneficial for lats, but avoid if it causes pain.
Key Tip: For all Pilates movements, focus on scapular control—keep the shoulder blades drawn down and back, and avoid winging or excessive shrugging.