A subluxation of the shoulder is a slight dislocation of the shoulder joint that is both temporary and treatable. The shoulder has a ball of bone at the top that fits into the shoulder blade. When this ball comes out of the shoulder blade, a subluxation occurs.

Early Therapy

1. Exercise of the shoulder will be painful at first, so it is important to strengthen the shoulder slowly through light exercise. Do not perform any motions that jerk or pull too hard on the shoulder blade.
   
   Perform adduction exercises to strengthen motions towards the chest. Take a pillow and hold it between your chest and arms. Squeeze the pillow lightly and hold it for as long as you can up to 5 seconds. Work your way up as you get stronger.
   
   Perform flexon exercises to strengthen motions away from the body. Stand next to a wall with your elbow pressing against the wall. Push your fist into the wall with your arm bent. Hold this for 5 seconds then release.
   

   Range of Motion

2. Once your shoulder is stronger, begin working on improving the arm's range of motion. Improve your flexing power by standing with your injured arm straight against your side. Raise you arm and bring it up so that it is over your head. Hold it above your head for 5 seconds. Repeat this 10 times.
   
   Improve the extension of your arm by holding your injured arm against your side and bringing it straight behind you with the elbow straight, never bent. Hold this for 5 seconds, working your way up to longer periods. Repeat this 10 times.
   
   Improve your outward movement by holding your injured arm to the side. Take your injured arm and bring up and out so that your arm is out like a wing. Hold it for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
   

   Tubing Exercises

3. After a period of therapy assigned by your physiotherapist, you will need to add resistance to your physical therapy. Plastic tubing attached to a door handle and pulled by the injured arm will help build strength for pulling activities. Another option is to hold the plastic tubing underfoot and pull up towards the ceiling using the injured arm, working both the bicep and the shoulder. After a period, you will gain strength enough to use free weights. Do this only under the supervision of your therapist.