Skip to content

Best Ways to Treat Long-Head Biceps Tendinopathy

Best Ways to Treat Long-Head Biceps Tendinopathy
Best Ways to Treat Long-Head Biceps Tendinopathy

Being in chronic pain can severely impact your life and making even the simplest of tasks difficult. Among the most common pain problems is long-head biceps tendinopathy. It’s a condition that affects the tendon that attaches your biceps to your shoulder causing chronic pain, stiffness and weakness. Long-head biceps tendinopathy can lead to more severe issues such as rotator cuff tears if it’s not treated early on. Treating long-head biceps tendinopathy is possible and finding the right treatment can mean finding relief from the pain. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the many best ways to treat long-head biceps tendinopathy.

Rest and Supportive Care

First and foremost rest is crucial in managing long-head biceps tendinopathy. Avoiding any actions or activities that cause pain and discomfort is key to giving your tendon the necessary time to heal. Wearing a shoulder or elbow brace or sling can also provide the support your joint needs as it heals. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory pain relief medications to help alleviate the pain.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an effective way to treat long-head biceps tendinopathy. A physiotherapist will evaluate your condition, develop a customised treatment plan and guide you through exercises to stretch and strengthen your muscles and ease your pain. Their treatment plan can include tendon massages, strengthening and stretching and exercises.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care has also been found helpful in alleviating pain in patients with long-head biceps tendinopathy. A chiropractor can perform joint mobilization techniques that work to improve the alignment of the injured joint. They may also use other techniques to help reduce pain and inflammation around the area.

Surgery

Surgery is a final resort when other modes of treatment do not provide relief. Your doctor can determine if you’re an eligible surgery candidate. The surgery involves removing or cutting the tendon and reattaching it to the bone. It’s a complicated procedure and requires a considerable amount of downtime for recovery and rehabilitation.

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine is a new and innovative approach to treating long-head biceps tendinopathy. Regenerative medicine involves the use of natural healing processes in the body to stimulate the healing of injured tissues. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has gained popularity in this regard. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting your blood’s plasma into the injured tendon to encourage healing.

Pain is a debilitating experience that can have a lasting impact on your quality of life. Long-head biceps tendinopathy is a common pain problem that can be treated with the right approach. Treatment options range from rest and supportive care to regenerative medicine and surgery.

Physiotherapy and chiropractic care have also been found helpful in managing this condition. Consulting with a professional to determine the suitable treatment plan for your specific case is vital. With the right treatment plan, you can find relief from the pain caused by long-head biceps tendinopathy.

About the Author

Jonathan Tran, MScPT is a physiotherapist at CARESPACE Westmount East. He helps clients improve their health through personalized, evidence-based care. If you’re looking for physiotherapy in Kitchener, CARESPACE offers coordinated support designed to help you be your best.