Dr. Jiwu Chen

Sports Medicine Specialist

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Scapular function

Can abnormal scapular movement cause shoulder pain?

Doctor’s answer

Yes. Poor scapular control can increase stress on the rotator cuff and subacromial structures, especially in overhead sports, swimming, badminton, and strength training. Treatment focuses on scapular stability, thoracic mobility, rotator cuff strength, and movement retraining.

Author: Dr. Jiwu Chen Medical review: Dr. Jiwu Chen