NECK PAIN WITH SCAPULAR DYSKINESIA IN BREASTFEEDING FEMALES

Abstract

Background Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints among breastfeeding females and is often associated with poor posture and scapular dyskinesia. Scapular dyskinesia refers to abnormal movement or positioning of the scapula, which may alter shoulder biomechanics and increase stress on cervical and upper back muscles. Prolonged breastfeeding positions, sustained neck flexion, and poor ergonomic practices may contribute to neck pain and functional limitations in lactating women. Objective To determine the prevalence of neck pain with scapular dyskinesia in breastfeeding females. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in Employees Colony, Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan over a duration of six months. A total of 87 breastfeeding females were selected through non-probability convenient sampling. Females aged 18–40 years with positive Scapular Dyskinesia Test (SDT) and breastfeeding history of at least six months were included in the study. Data were collected using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were applied. Results A total of 87 participants were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 32.16 ± 7.66 years. Left-sided involvement was more common (44.8%) followed by right-sided involvement (40.2%) and bilateral involvement (14.9%). Most participants reported moderate neck pain at its worst (58.6%), while 33.3% experienced mild pain and 8.0% experienced severe pain. Mild pain was commonly reported during functional activities such as reaching overhead, washing hair, carrying objects, and dressing. The majority of participants had been breastfeeding for 6–10 months (59.8%). The findings demonstrated a high prevalence of neck pain and functional discomfort among breastfeeding females with scapular dyskinesia. Conclusion The study concludes that neck pain is highly prevalent among breastfeeding females with scapular dyskinesia. Most participants experienced mild to moderate pain and functional limitations during daily activities, indicating the importance of postural education and physiotherapy interventions to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort in lactating mothers.