Bicep Tendonitis: Treatment Options for Painful Shoulder Conditions
Michael (not his real name) kept experiencing a dull, aching pain in the front of his arm. While he could ignore it most of the time, it worsened when he used his arms–which was a problem, considering he played golf several times a week. He eventually learned he had developed bicep tendonitis, but fortunately for Michael, bicep tendonitis treatment is fairly straightforward!
Michael confirmed the source of his pain when he visited MMA & Sports Rehab, where our physical therapists evaluated his symptoms and assessed his arm mobility and strength. He had never heard of bicep tendonitis before, although he was familiar with similar overuse injuries (like a golfer’s elbow).
Fortunately, our team was also able to treat Michael’s bicep tendonitis through a customized program that helped reduce his pain, improve his mobility, and strengthen the muscles in his arm and shoulder.
So, what exactly is bicep tendonitis? We’ll answer that question today. Plus, we’ll look at why physical therapy is a great bicep tendonitis treatment option. Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding Bicep Tendonitis: Causes, Signs, and Symptoms
Bicep tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon that connects your bicep muscle to your shoulder. This condition can cause significant discomfort and restrict your range of motion, making daily activities more challenging.
Causes of Bicep Tendonitis
Bicep tendonitis is typically an overuse injury, meaning the damage occurs over time due to repeated overhead activities, such as throwing, swimming, or lifting weights. These movements can irritate the tendon, leading to inflammation and pain.
However, sudden injuries or falls can also trigger this condition. Age is another factor, as tendons lose elasticity and strength over time, making them more susceptible to injury.
Signs and Symptoms of Bicep Tendonitis
- Pain and tenderness in the front of the shoulder or bicep
- Pain throughout the upper arm
- A dull ache or sharp pain when lifting your arm, reaching overhead, or carrying objects
- Swelling and weakness in the shoulder or bicep
Bicep Tendonitis Treatment with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy offers effective solutions for resolving bicep tendonitis so you can return to the activities that matter most.
As we did with Michael, we’ll always start by evaluating your symptoms as part of a comprehensive evaluation. This helps us determine the cause of your arm and shoulder pain, confirming whether it’s bicep tendonitis or something else, like a rotator cuff tear. This also allows us to create a personalized treatment program, which will likely include the following:
Pain Management
- First, we’ll help you manage any acute pain and inflammation using manual therapy techniques (like soft tissue manipulation) and various treatment modalities (like hot or cold therapy).
Therapeutic Exercise
- Targeted strength and stretching exercises form the foundation of our treatment program. We’ll let you know which exercises to perform and will ensure you’re doing them correctly to maximize your outcomes.
Prevention Tips
- Even after rehabilitating your injury, we want to ensure you don’t suffer from bicep tendonitis again! To help, we’ll provide you with information about proper body mechanics and ergonomic adjustments to minimize stress on the shoulder during daily activities.
Bicep Tendonitis Treatment Here in Arlington, VA!
Don’t let bicep tendonitis hold you back. Call us today to learn more about bicep tendonitis treatment options at MMA & Sports Rehab.
