The Day I Faced My Immobile Shoulder — A Small Rehabilitation Milestone — Saturday, July 18, 2026 (Reiwa 8)

Today, before taking a bath, I went to the rehabilitation room.

I am gradually recovering after surgery for a left proximal humerus fracture, but my left shoulder still does not move the way I want it to.

I did the machine exercises that my therapist taught me.

The resistance was set at “2.” I still do not know exactly how much weight that represents, but I did 20 repetitions, using both my right and left hands.

The exercise involved pulling a triangular-shaped device.

At first, my left hand hurt.

I wondered, “Maybe it is still too early for me.”

But after repeating the movement several times, I felt that I was slowly getting used to it.

Then I looked at the strength training exercises.

However, most of the strength training focused on the legs.

There were walking exercises and movements to bend and straighten the legs.

The exercise for the arms was raising both arms.

That is still difficult for me right now.

So, I tried to imitate the movement within my own limits.

I lifted my arm just a little.

Even that small movement felt meaningful to me at this stage.

I also tried some shoulder exercises that I found in a health magazine.

The “floor-wiping exercise.”

Normally, this exercise involves placing a cloth on the floor and sliding the arm forward.

I did not have a cloth, so I simply practiced the same movement.

However, my left hand still cannot reach very far forward.

Next, I tried the “wall angel stretch.”

This involves placing your hands on the wall and gradually raising your arms.

This was also still difficult.

But I realized that just because I cannot do something yet does not mean I should avoid it completely.

I am learning the movement little by little within the range that I can manage today.

On the mat, I also tried a shoulder opening and closing exercise.

I lay on my side with my injured shoulder facing upward, bent my elbow, and practiced opening my arm outward.

The instructions said that once I became comfortable with the movement, I could add resistance by using a plastic bottle filled with water.

I tried holding my mobile phone as a test.

To my surprise, it hurt more than I expected.

Even my phone felt heavy.

So, I decided that using a plastic bottle was still too soon and stopped.

Do not push too hard.

But continue little by little.

I have always been good at making small efforts every day.

Of course, I feel frustrated.

I want to move normally again as soon as possible.

But I also know that I must not rush and make things worse.

Today, I realized that rehabilitation is not simply about strengthening muscles.

It is about listening to my body and gradually recovering the movements that I have lost.

It has been about one month since my surgery.

There are still many things I cannot do.

But my shoulder is slowly changing from “a shoulder that cannot move” into “a shoulder that wants to try moving again.”

Today became a small rehabilitation milestone for me.

After this, I plan to warm myself in the bath, eat dinner, and do my stick exercises before going to bed.

Without rushing.

A little every day.

For the future me.


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