Ep. 059 | The Shoulder Blade Shuffle: Separating Fact from Fiction in Scapula Dyskinesia | Filip Struyf

In this podcast, we explore scapular dyskinesis, the abnormal movement of the shoulder blade. We discuss related terms like scapular misalignment and sick scapula, questioning the practicality of assessing it through visual observation. We highlight that identifying it as normal or abnormal may not guide treatment decisions or pinpoint the cause of shoulder pain. We also address its prevalence in athletes and non-athletes and suggest using various tests to assess scapular dyskinesis. Intriguingly, we'll reveal a surprising connection between scapular dyskinesis and an unexpected aspect of training, which might change the way you think about shoulder issues. So, join us for the full episode to uncover this fascinating insight.   Guest Filip Struyf is a sportsphysiotherapist and professor at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. According to Expertscape, he is the #1 shoulder researcher world-wide. He teaches shoulder courses nationally and internationally and has created an online course together with us called “Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain: Separating Facts from Fiction”.   Content 00:00 Intro 01:15 The "correct" definition  04:05 What is "normal" 12:05 Prevalence 14:21 Is it a functional adaptation? 16:46 Scapula Dyskinesia as a risk factor? 26:09 How do we assess it? 28:51 How reliable or valid is assessment? 32:39 Can we improve scapula movement? 39:09 What's up with focussing on the lower trapezius? 42:26 What about Rhomboid Pain? 46:21 Is there a place for scapula mobilization techniques? 49:42 Filip's closing thoughts 52:15 Outro Bonus Material To view and download the bonus content such as transcripts of this episode become a Physiotutors Member. All episodes and bonus content can be found here   Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts