In this article, I will discuss scapula flexibility and shoulder pain.
In osteopathic medicine, people with shoulder pain are often treated with scapular pliancy because of the reduced range of motion of the scapula.
I don't know where it came from, but the trend of focusing on the scapula has influenced various industries to check the range of motion of the scapula when diagnosing shoulder pain.
Since kinematics shows that the range of motion of the scapula is linked to the mobility of the humerus, it is thought that if the scapula becomes less mobile, the mobility of the humerus will also decrease, and this is where the disorder occurs.
It is not hard to understand, but can we really be sure? Here are the results of a study that answers this question.
The research
Many studies have investigated the relationship between soft tissue tension and shoulder kinematics, but there is a lack of information on the dynamic characteristics that cause left-right differences, such as scapular asymmetry.
The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between lack of soft tissue flexibility and scapular asymmetry.
The study included 29 patients with shoulder pain and 29 asymptomatic individuals.
The assessment included bilateral shortening of the pectoralis minor muscle and tension in the posterior shoulder.
Additionally, left and right flexibility loss was calculated and measured using an electromagnetic tracking device while in the resting position and while raising the arm.Symmetrical angles were also calculated to quantify the asymmetry of the scapula.
Decreased flexibility was identified in both asymptomatic and painful individuals, and was shown to be associated with decreased flexibility of the pectoralis minor and posterior shoulder, and scapular asymmetry.
However, no significant relationship was found between lack of flexibility in both counties and asymmetry of the scapula.
As a result, the study was able to find a relationship between soft tissue inflexibility and scapular asymmetry, but was not able to prove whether there was a causal relationship between this and pain.
Discussion
The results of this study were the result of measuring the participants in a static position.Since it is not dynamic, it is necessary to pursue whether there is a dynamic difference or not.
In order to make use of these results in clinical practice, it is necessary to reexamine the evaluation method, and it may be more useful to consider dynamic factors and promote muscle activity rather than static positions.
In brief, it is popular to evaluate and correct static posture, but even if these factors coincide with shoulder pain and static scapular position is adjusted, it may not eliminate shoulder pain.
Turgut E, Baltaci G. Effect of flexibility deficit on scapular asymmetry in individuals with and without shoulder pain. Braz J Phys Ther. 2018;22(5):370 -375. doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.03.007
Conclusion
Whether or not there is a relationship between scapula position or asymmetry and shoulder pain was another story.
However, if the scapula is actually different and needs to be adjusted, it may be better to encourage muscle contraction or activate it with neuromuscular training rather than adjusting it manually.
Maybe the posture correction in the market is business correction?
