Biceps Muscle Pain

What is a Biceps Muscle Pain?

Biceps muscle pain is a common issue experienced by individuals of all activity levels, from athletes to those with sedentary lifestyles. The two-headed muscle on the front of the upper arm is called the biceps brachii, or simply the biceps.

It plays a vital role in arm movement, including bending the elbow, rotating the forearm, and assisting with lifting and pulling motions. Pain in this muscle can result from various causes, ranging from overuse and strain to acute injuries or underlying medical conditions.
The RICE principle largely relieves this pain.
Exercise after that, then resume your regular activities.

Understanding the nature, causes, and potential treatments of biceps muscle pain is essential for effective management and recovery.

What is the biceps muscle?

• The two heads the short and long heads that make up the biceps muscle function as a single unit.
• The proximal biceps tendons are the tendons that connect the biceps muscle to the shoulder joint in both locations.
• The distal biceps tendon is the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the forearm bones, specifically the radius and ulna.
• The forearm is pulled upward and rotated outward, or to the lateral side when the biceps muscle contracts.

Cause of the biceps muscle pain?

Biceps tendinitis:

• Bicep pain is caused by lifting heavy objects or participating in sports or other strenuous activities. However, the most frequent reason is repetitive arm movements.

Bicep bruise

• This is among the most frequent reasons why athletes experience biceps pain.
• When something strikes the biceps muscle hard without rupturing the skin, this happens.
• Falls are another cause of it.

Humerus fracture

• It happens when someone falls on an outstretched arm, indirectly injuring the humerus bone.
• It can also happen if you hit it directly in a car accident or when falling.
• Additionally, a person may sustain a humeral injury.

Brachial plexus injury

• It happens as a result of sports injuries, gunshot wounds, motorbike or auto accidents, and surgical wounds.

Bicep muscle strains

• The biceps muscle is torn.
• It is caused by repetitive motion, overuse of the muscle, and elbow joint twisting
• Grade 1: A minor muscular damage. It happens when the bicep tendons and muscles are overextended, but the patient remains strong and mobile.
• Grade 2: Moderate muscle damage. It results in a loss of strength and movement and is caused by tears in the biceps muscle or tendons.
• Grade 3: The bicep muscles and tendons are completely torn or ruptured. Surgery is required to heal the muscle caused by this tension.

Symptoms of the biceps muscle pain?

• The patient initially had pain in the upper arm bone and in the front of the shoulder.
• Arm weakness that causes pain when the patient lifts anything
• There is tenderness in the biceps muscle.
• There is swelling where the pain is.
• There is stiffness where the pain is.
• The skin’s bluish hue
• There may occasionally be a bump over the painful spot.
• Sometimes the patient experiences upper arm numbness.
• Spasms in the muscles
• There are instances when the biceps muscle makes popping noises.

When should a patient receive medical care for biceps pain?

• when the patient’s bicep pain persists for several days despite using at-home treatments like resting and applying ice to the affected area.
• If the patient experiences severe biceps pain symptoms, such as increased swelling in the affected area and excessive restriction in arm and shoulder movement, they should see a doctor.
• The patient should call the doctor and seek medical attention if they have any of the following symptoms when experiencing biceps pain:
• Fever, lightheadedness, dyspnea, and excruciating pain are emergency indicators.

What is the Diagnosis of biceps muscle pain?

• Initially, the physician evaluates the upper limb.
• Taking a history at the beginning of the exam is crucial for diagnosing pain.
• During the observation, look for signs of edema and redness in the area of pain.
• Additionally, evaluate the temperature and edema by palpating the area of pain. Additionally, feel for any lumps and assess the tenderness of the biceps muscles.
• Check the arm muscle’s range of motion and strength during the examination.
• Following the evaluation and the establishment of a precise diagnosis, the physician performs other tests, such as:
• It is also helpful in determining any possible issues with the arm and shoulder bones.
• Ultrasound scans: To generate images of the body’s architecture, doctors employ probes that produce sound waves on the skin.

What is the Treatment for biceps muscle pain?

• The RICE technique helps alleviate most biceps pain at home.
• R-Rest = After an injury, rest and refrain from activities that strain the biceps muscle and tendon.
• I-Ice = Apply ice to the painful location for 20 minutes in a single session and repeatedly throughout the day. The patient is accustomed to the ice pack and frozen peas, which help to lessen the swelling in the affected area.
• C-compression = Use a compression bandage to help a painful or swollen area heal.
• E-elevation = To relieve swelling, raise the hand using the pillow beneath it.

• Over-the-counter medication: to lessen pain and swelling, the patient is given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAISD), such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
• A physician must drain the lamp to promote healing if a lump forms over the patient’s muscle injury location.
• Surgery may not always be necessary to alleviate fracture pain since some fractures mend when the arm is immobilized in a cast.
• With a physical therapist’s assistance, begin exercising after the healing process is complete.
• After beginning to exercise and resume a regular life, some fractures require surgery.
• The brachial plexus injury that is causing the pain requires surgery for nerve grafts, nerve repairs, and nerve/muscle/tendon transfers.

What is an exercise for biceps muscle pain?

• Vertical Shoulder Flexion
• Biceps Curls
• Forearm Twists
• Elbow joint flexion and extension exercises
• Single Shoulder Flexion

Vertical Shoulder Flexion:

• With the wounded arm hanging slack at the side, the patient stands erect.
• Be sure to maintain a straight elbow joint throughout this workout.
• After five seconds of holding the arm above the head, drop the hand and put it back to the side.
• In a single session, perform this exercise ten times.
• Perform this workout three times a day.

Biceps Curls:

• Next, bring the palm toward the shoulder joint by gently bending the affected arm at the elbow joint.
• After 30 seconds of holding this workout position, carefully move back to the beginning position.
• In a single session, perform this exercise ten times.
• Perform this workout three times a day.

Forearm Twists:

• The standing and sitting positions are where the exercise begins.
• Next, Hold the workout position for ten seconds after turning the palm upward.
• Hold the workout position for ten seconds after rotating the palm so the forearm faces downward.
• In a single session, perform this exercise ten times.
• Perform this workout for forearm twists three times a day.

Exercise for Elbow Joint Flexion and Extension:

• The standing and sitting positions are where the exercise begins.
• Next, gently raise the hand up to the shoulder joint to flex and extend the elbow joint on the affected side.
• Make sure to bend your elbow joint as much as you can throughout this workout.
• Returning to the initial position then entails straightening the elbow and arm joints.
• In a single session, perform this exercise ten times.
• Perform this elbow joint workout for flexion and extension three times a day.

Single Shoulder Flexion:

• Standing is the initial posture for the Single Shoulder Flexion exercise.
• Next, Raise the affected arm forward and upward until it points toward the ceiling while maintaining its straight position.
• After ten seconds of holding this exercise, go back to the beginning posture.
• In a single session, perform this exercise ten times.
• Perform this workout three times a day.

What is stretching of the biceps muscle pain?

• Biceps Stretch
• Internal Rotation Stretch
• External Rotation Stretch
• Standing bicep stretch
• Seated bicep stretch
• Doorway bicep stretch

Biceps stretch:

• Standing is the initial posture for the stretching exercise.
• The patient holds the affected arm out horizontally, slightly below shoulder height, while standing six inches in front of the wall.
• Then The patient will experience a stretch as they gently turn away from the wall in the opposite direction from their arm. Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Internal Rotation Stretch:

• Standing is the initial posture for the stretching exercise.
• Holding a yardstick, broom, or other staff behind your back with both hands with your knuckles down while standing erect.
• Next, Using both hands, slowly elevate the stick in the rear until the affected arm feels stretched.
• After 30 seconds of holding this stretching stance, slowly lower the arms back down.
• Perform three sessions of this internal rotation stretch each day.

External Rotation Stretch:

• Standing is the initial posture for the stretching exercise.
• In both hands, the patient is clutching an exercise band at waist height.
• Then, with both elbows bent at a straight angle, gently pull the band apart until the arms are parallel to the floor.
• When the patient’s arm feels slightly stretched, it is gradually returned to its initial position.
• Three times a day, perform this External Rotation Stretch.

Standing bicep stretch:

• The hands should then be interlaced at the base of the spine.
• For as long as 30 seconds, maintain this stretching position.

Seated bicep stretch:

• For as long as 30 seconds, maintain this stretching position.
• Next, Go back to the beginning position and take a few minutes to unwind.
• Perform this seated bicep stretch three times a day.

Doorway bicep stretch:

• The patient is standing in a doorway while holding the doorway at waist level with the left hand.
• The patient maintains a modest bend in the elbow joint while experiencing a stretch in the arm and shoulder.
• For 30 seconds, maintain this stretching position.
• Perform this doorway bicep stretch three times a day.

Is it possible to prevent biceps muscle pain?

• Indeed, biceps muscle soreness can be avoided.
• keep away from sporting activities that require a lot of repeated motion.
• Do the stretching and warm-up before and after each workout.
• Avoiding the rip or strain
• Keep your balance and avoid falling.
• Always stay hydrated while engaging in any activity.

Summary:

• Numerous factors can contribute to bicep pain. These include fractures, brachial plexus injuries, and biceps tendinitis.
• Among the symptoms are elbow and upper arm pain, which occasionally spreads to the forearm. Some persons have restricted movement or edema.
• Resting the affected muscle and reducing strain on the muscle and tendon are the main goals of at-home treatments.
• However, if symptoms intensify or do not go away after a week, a person should contact a doctor.

FAQs

References

• Patel, P. (2022, May 4). Biceps muscle strain: Cause, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Exercise. Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic. https://samarpanphysioclinic.com/biceps-muscle-strain-treatment/
• Ladva, V. (2024, December 10). Biceps Muscle Pain Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercise. Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic. https://samarpanphysioclinic.com/biceps-muscle-pain/