If you cannot do these yourself, the exercises marked with a star can be done for you by your carer - this is called passive exercise. Repeat each movement five times

Shoulder shrugs

• Shrug your shoulders towards your ears, as high as you can comfortably go, and relax.

Arm raises

• Slowly bring your straight arm up to point to the ceiling and relax.

Lateral arm raise

• Slowly bring your straight arm out to the side until horizontal with the floor.

Grasp

• Raise your straight arm until you are pointing at the ceiling.
• Reach up and clench your fist as if you are picking an apple.

Arm crosses

• Start with both your arms out to the side.
• Bring them up and across your body as if you are waving
  NB – Two assistants will be needed to carry out this activity.

Pushing away

• Hold your arms out in front of you.
• Push away from your body.

Biceps curl

• Bend your arm to touch your shoulder with your hand.

Downward push

• Lay arms flat on the bed.
• Push down through your hands.
• Hold position for a few moments.

Pelvic tilt

• Bend your knees.
• Place your hand in the small of your back.
• Push down with your back onto your hands to flatten them onto the bed.
• Relax and repeat

Bridging

• Bend your knees.
• Place your hands either side of you.
• Lift your bottom off the bed.
• Hold for a few moments.
• Relax and repeat.

Straight leg raises

• Keeping your leg straight, raise it as high as possible and relax.

Side kick

• Lay on your side.
• Bend your lower leg.
• Lift your upper leg off the bed.
• Turn over and repeat.

Toe pointing

• With both feet together, point your toes as far as possible.

Knee bends

• If you can lay on your tummy, make yourself comfortable face down.
• Bend and straighten your legs

Reviewed March 2010
Next review September 2011