What is Scapular Dyskinesis and Do I Actually Have it?

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita, DC | Lehi, UT

Most people who think they have scapular winging or scapular dyskinesis actually have a coordination or strength issue, not a structural problem.

Scapular Dyskinesis

“Scapular dyskinesis” is one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot, especially online.

Technically, it just means your shoulder blade isn’t moving as efficiently as it could. This often results in scapular winging, but that doesn’t mean something is damaged or permanently wrong.

In fact, most cases come down to:

• Poor coordination
• Weakness in key muscles
• Lack of control during movement

This is especially common in people who lift weights or spend a lot of time sitting.

The mistake I see most often is people trying to fix it with endless band exercises without understanding how their shoulder should actually move.

The goal is partially to “activate” muscles and to do so in a way that integrates all of the necessary muscles at once. This is especially true during real movements like pressing, pulling, and reaching overhead.

Usually this involves:

• Strengthening through full ranges of motion
• Improving timing and coordination
• Gradually loading movements that feel weak or unstable

If your shoulder feels weak, unstable, or awkward overhead, it’s worth addressing. But keep in mind, it’s rarely as serious as it sounds.

FAQs:

Is scapular dyskinesis an injury?

No, it’s more of a movement issue than an injury.

Do I need to stop lifting?

Usually not. Simply modify and improve how you move.

Are band exercises enough?

They‘re definitely a start! But, eventually you typically need to move on to a heavier weight or an item that can better mimic regular movements.