Biceps Muscle Pain

• Injury in the biceps muscle & tendon leads to bicep muscle pain & other symptoms.
• Causes of biceps muscle pain include overuse of the muscle & trauma, but it can result in different types of injury.
• The biceps muscle stretch is felt at the upper arm, between the shoulder & the elbow joint.
• So if pain occurs in any part of the upper arm & it may not be possible to muscle injury alone.
• Depending on the symptoms doctor diagnoses the cause of the pain.
• This pain is mostly relief by to RICE principle.
• After that do the exercise & return to normal life.

What is the biceps muscle?

• The biceps muscle is a muscle on the front part of the upper arm.
• The biceps muscle includes two heads = short heads & long heads which is work as a single muscle ofthe biceps muscle.

• The biceps muscle is attached to the arm bones by the tough connective tissues which are known as tendons.
• The tendons that connect the biceps muscle with the shoulder joint in the two places are called the proximal biceps tendons.
• The tendon which is attached to the biceps muscle with the forearm bones means radius & ulna is called the distal biceps tendon.
• When the biceps muscle contracts, it pulls the forearm up & rotates it outward means the lateral side.

What is the cause of the biceps muscle pain?

• Biceps tendinitis:
• Overuse & wear/tear of the biceps muscle which leads to biceps tendinitis means inflammation of the biceps tendon.
• It occurs due to Lifting something heavy/engaging in certain types of physical activity, like sports, which leads to bicep pain. but the most common cause is repetitive movements of the arm.

• Bicep bruise
• This is one of the most common causes of biceps muscle pain in sportspeople.
• This occurs when something hits the biceps muscle with force but without breaking the skin.
• It also occurs due to falls.

• Humerus fracture
• The humerus bone is the bone of the upper arm.
• A fracture of the humerus bone is given as the result of pain.
• It occurs due to indirect injury to the humerus bone by falling on an outstretched arm.
• It also occurs due to hitting it directly by the fall/in a car accident.
• A person can also injure their humerus by, for example, during a

• Brachial plexus injury
• A brachial plexus is a group of nerves in the neck, arm & hand that is responsible for the feeling & movement in the upper limb.
• Damage to the musculocutaneous nerve, which runs down to the length of the arm, is given to result in bicep muscle pain & weakness.
• It occurs due to motorcycle/car crashes, sports injuries, wounds from a gunshot & surgical wounds

• Bicep muscle strains
• Tear in the biceps muscle.
• It occurs due to overuse of the muscle, repetitive movement & twisting of the elbow joint.
• Depending on the severity it is classified in the 3 grade
• Grade 1:Minor injury in the muscle. It occurs when the bicep muscles/tendons are overstretched, but the patient does not lose strength/mobility.
• Grade 2: Moderate injury in the muscle. It occurs due to tearing in the biceps muscle or tendons which is some loss of strength/mobility.
• Grade 3: Complete rip/rupture of the bicep muscle/tendons. this strain needs to surgery repair the muscle.

What are the Symptoms of the biceps muscle injury?

• First, of patient feels pain at the front of the shoulder & during the upper arm bone.
• Weakness in the arm so that patient feels pain during lifting object
• Tenderness present at the biceps muscle
• Swelling present at the area of the pain
• Stiffness feel in the area of the pain
• Bluish coloring of the skin
• Sometimes present of a lump over the area of pain
• In some cases, the patient feels numbness in the upper arm
• Muscle spasm
• Decreased to ROM & strength of the arm
• Sometimes popping sounds are produced in the biceps muscle

When to patient required to contact a doctor for the biceps pain?

• When the patient experiences bicep pain for many days & not decrease after the at-home remedies, like resting & icing the affected area.

• The patient must contact a doctor if the symptoms of biceps pain significantly worsen, which means if the swelling of the area of pain is increases & movement of the arm & shoulder becomes too restricted.

• If the patient feels some emergency sign during the biceps pain that emergency needs to contact the doctor & needs medical treatment :
• Emergency signs = fever, dizziness, shortness of breath, severe pain

What is the Diagnosis of biceps muscle pain?

• First of all, the doctor takes to assessment of the upper limb

• In the assessment first, take a history, it is most important for the pain diagnosis.

• In the observation observe the area of pain & check the presence of swelling & redness.

• In the palpation palpate to the area of the pain & check the palpate the swelling & temperature. also, check the tenderness of the biceps muscle pain & if present of lump palpate the lump.

• In the examination check the ROM & strength of the arm muscle.

• After completion of the assessment & reaching an accurate diagnosis, the doctor to additional tests including :

• X-rays = X-rays are used to electromagnetic radiation which is created to images of structures in the body.
• It is also useful for identifying the potential problems with the bones of the arm & shoulder.
• Ultrasound scans = Doctors are used probes that are produced to sound waves on the skin & create images of the bodily structures.
• MRI scan = MRI scan uses magnets & radio-frequency currents which is produce images of the structures inside the body.

What is the Treatment for biceps muscle pain?

• Most biceps pain is reduced at home with the RICE principle.

• R-Rest = After injury take to rest & avoid to activities which are put to strain on the biceps muscle & tendon.
• I – Ice = Apply ice on the area of the pain for 20 minutes in 1 session & apply to ice many times per day, the patient is also used to the ice pack & frozen peas, it help to reduce the swelling of the area of pain
• C – compression = Apply to compression bandage for the healing of an area of pain & swelling.
• E – elevation = Do the elevate of the hand with the help of the pillow under the hand for release to swelling.

• Over-the-counter medication: the patient is taken to NAISD = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen/paracetamol, to reduce the pain & swelling.

• If in the patient lump develops over the injury site of the muscle, a doctor is needed to drain the lamp for healing of the injury

• For the cause of pain of fracture treatment is not required for surgery in every fracture because some fracture heals with the immobilize the arm in a cast.
• After the healing start to exercise with the help of a physiotherapist.
• Some fractures need surgery and after starting to exercise & return to normal life.

• The cause of the pain is Brachial plexus injury needs surgery as nerve grafts, nerve repairs & nerve/muscle/tendon transfers.

What is an exercise for biceps muscle pain?

• Vertical Shoulder Flexion
• Biceps Curls
• Forearm Twists
• Flexion & Extension movement exercise of elbow joint
• Single Shoulder Flexion

Vertical Shoulder Flexion:

• The starting position for the exercise is the standing position.
• The patient stands upright with the injured arm & hanging loose at the side.
• Then Slowly raise the arm by bringing the arm in front of the body till it is vertical over the head.
• In this exercise Make sure to keep the elbow joint straight.
• Then Hold the arm over the head for five seconds, then lower the hand & return back to the side.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session.
• Do this exercise in 3 sessions per day.

Biceps Curls:

• The starting position for the exercise is the standing position.
• In the Standing position upright with the injured arm & hanging at the affected side & palm facing out.
• Then Gently bend the injured arm at the elbow joint so that brings the palm toward the shoulder joint.
• Hold this exercise position for 30 seconds, then slowly return to the starting position.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session.
• Do this exercise in 3 sessions per day.

Forearm Twists:

• The starting position for the exercise is the standing &sitting position.
• Allow the injured arm to hang at the side & then bend the elbow joint to a 90-degree angle.
• Then Turn the palm so it is facing upward & hold the exercise position for 10 seconds.
• Rotate the palm so the forearm faces downward & hold the exercise position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session.
• Do this Forearm Twists exercise in 3 sessions per day.

Flexion & Extension movement exercise of the elbow joint:

• The starting position for the exercise is the standing &sitting position.
• Then Flex & extend the elbow joint on the injured side by gently bringing the palm up to the shoulder joint.
• In this exercise Be sure to bend the elbow joint as much as possible.
• Then straightening the arm & elbow joints means returning tothe starting position.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session.
• Do this Flexion & Extension movement exercise of the elbow joint exercise in 3 sessions per day.

Single Shoulder Flexion:

• The starting position for the Single Shoulder Flexion exercise is the standing position.
• In the standing position, patient’s arms are at the side.
• Then Keep the affected arm straight & raise the arm forward & up till the points to the ceiling.
• Hold this exercise for 10 seconds & return to the starting position.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session.
• Do this exercise in 3 sessions per 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:

• The starting position for the stretching is the standing position.
• The patient stands six inches in front of the wall & holds the affected arm out in a horizontal sign just below shoulder height.
• Then Place the side of the thumb against the wall & -keep the hand palm down.
• After that Gently turn away from the wall in the opposite direction from the arm & the patient will feel a stretch, then hold this stretching position for 30 seconds.
• Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session.
• Do this biceps stretch in 3 sessions per day.

Internal Rotation Stretch:

• The starting position for the stretching is the standing position.
• Standing upright & holding a yardstick, broom/other stick behind the back in both hands & knuckles facing down.
• Then Slowly raise the stick in the back with both hands till they feel a stretch in the affected arm.
• Hold this stretching position for 30 seconds, then gently release the arms back down.
• Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session.
• Do this Internal Rotation Stretch in 3 sessions per day.

External Rotation Stretch:

• The starting position for the stretching is the standing position.
• The patient is holding an exercise band in both hands at about waist height.
• Then Gently pull the band apart & keep both elbows bent at a right angle so the arms are parallel to the floor.
• When the patient feels a gentle stretch in the arm then slowly released back into the starting position.
• Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session.
• Do this External Rotation Stretch in 3 sessions per day.

Standing bicep stretch:

• The starting position of the exercise is the standing position.
• Then Interlace the hands at the base of the spine.
• Straighten the arms & turn the palms to face down.
• Then Raise to arms up as high as possible.
• Hold this stretching position for up to 30 seconds.
• Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session.
• Do this Standing bicep stretch in 3 sessions per day.

Seated bicep stretch:

• The starting position of the exercise is the sitting position.
• The patient is Sitting with a bent knee joint & the feet are flat on the floor in front of the hip joint.
• Place the hands on the floor behind with the fingers facing away from the body.
• Then Evenly distribute the weight between the feet, buttocks,& arms.
• Slowly scoot the buttocks forward, toward the feet, without moving the hands.
• Hold this stretching position for up to 30 seconds.
• Then Return to the starting position & relax for a few moments.
• Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session.
• Do this Seated bicep stretch in 3 sessions per day.

Doorway bicep stretch:

• The patient is Standing in a doorway with the left hand which is grasping the doorway at waist level.
• Step forward with the left foot, bend the knee joint & yield to weight forward.
• The patient feels the stretch in the arm & shoulder while maintaining a slight bend in the elbow joint.
• Hold this stretching position for 30 seconds.
• Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session.
• Do this Doorway bicep stretch in 3 sessions per day

Is it possible to prevent biceps muscle pain?

• Yes, it is possible to prevent biceps muscle pain.
• Avoid participating in a sports activity that involves repetitive movement.
• Always do the warm-up & stretching before and after every exercise.
• Prevention of the tear/strain
• Avoid falling & check the balance
• Always Drink plenty of water during all activities