Association and Effects of Neck Pain with Scapular Dyskinesis - A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND: Neck pain, affecting 30-50% of adults, often results from soft tissues and joints abnormalities. Scapular dyskinesia, marked by abnormal scapular movement due to muscle imbalances, poor posture, or repetitive activities, exacerbates neck pain and contributes to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This condition can lead to mechanical strain on cervical spine structures due to shared muscle attachments. Diagnosed through tests like the lateral scapular slide test (LSST), treatment involves scapular stabilization exercises, postural correction, and manual therapy. Addressing muscle imbalances and maintaining proper posture are crucial for managing pain and preventing further dysfunction. METHOD: The study design is a Narrative review of the literature. A literature search of original full-text research articles in PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for publication between the years 2020 and 2024. The keywords used for searching articles were Scapular Dyskinesia and Neck Pain. RESULT: A total of 25 articles were searched for the given topic. Out of which 16 articles were identified on removal of duplication and reviews were removed, of which only 10 Articles for the reviewed as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: Scapular dyskinesis is associated with increased neck and shoulder pain, muscle tightness, and functional impairment with high prevalence among office workers, dentists, and patients with chronic neck pain, particularly in those with postural deviations. Effective management requires addressing scapular stability through targeted exercises, posture correction, and in some cases, thoracic mobilization to give results. Key words: Neck Pain, Scapular Dyskinesia