Prom
Internal/external rotation PROM/AAROM (dowel)
Restore rotation—the first direction lost in frozen shoulder.
CompleteAlso called: dowel rotation, windshield wiper dowel
Why it is used in rehab
Rotation range is essential for reaching behind and turning the arm outward.
Starting position
Hold a dowel with both hands shoulder-width apart, palms up, elbows bent 90° and tucked to your sides.
Step-by-step
- Push the dowel sideways so one shoulder rotates outward while the other rotates inward.
- Pause at end range, then go the other way.
Movement mechanics: Elbows stay pinned so the motion is rotation, not swinging.
📖 Rehab Science instructions paraphrased from the book’s exercise description
Coaching notes
Common mistakes
- Elbows drifting away from the body
Easier variation
- Smaller arcs
Advanced variation
- Towel roll under elbows; progress to AROM rotation
ℹ Additional explanation
Where it appears in Rehab Science
| Protocol | Phase | Group | Prescription | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder Pain | 1 | Mobility Exercises | Do 3 sets of 10–15 reps · Passive range of motion (PROM)—move slowly and as far as you can with no more than mild pain · Pause at end range for 2–3 seconds · Add active assisted range of motion (AAROM) as pain decreases | 378 |
| Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) | 1 | Mobility Exercises | Do 3 sets of 10–15 reps · Passive range of motion (PROM)—move slowly and as far as you can with no more than mild pain · Pause at end range for 2–3 seconds · Add active assisted range of motion (AAROM) as pain decreases | 425 |
Source: Rehab Science · Ch 16 · PDF pp. 378–425show sources ▾
Page numbers are those of the uploaded PDF edition. "Find original" opens a PubMed search for the cited study.