Are you dealing with pain or discomfort in your biceps tendon? You may be suffering from long head of biceps tendinopathy, a condition where the tendon has become inflamed due to overuse. Fortunately, there is hope! Physiotherapy can help you manage the symptoms and reduce the chances of them becoming worse.
What is a Long Head of Biceps Tendinopathy?
The long head of biceps tendinopathy is an injury that occurs when the long head of your bicep becomes irritated through overuse. It is most commonly caused by repetitive motion activities such as weightlifting and other sports activities. Symptoms include pain and/or tenderness in the upper arm, shoulder, and elbow area, swelling, weakness in the affected arm, and difficulty moving your arm. If left untreated, long head of biceps tendinopathy can lead to more serious issues such as tears or rupture of the tendon itself.
What Can Physiotherapy Do For Me?
A physiotherapist can help you manage your symptoms by reducing inflammation and pain in the affected area. This can be done through targeted exercises that strengthen muscles around the injured tendon while also improving range of motion and flexibility. Your physiotherapist will also teach you how to modify activities to reduce strain on your arm while still performing them safely. In addition, they will provide guidance on how to use ice packs and heat therapy effectively in order to reduce inflammation further.
Treatment Options for Long Head of Biceps Tendinopathy
Your physiotherapist may recommend additional treatments depending on your individual needs such as ultrasound therapy, soft tissue massage therapy, or dry needling therapy which are all designed to improve blood circulation in order to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery time. In some cases, your physiotherapist may refer you for further diagnoses such as an x-ray or MRI scan if required.
All in all, the long head of biceps tendinopathy is a painful condition that requires immediate attention from a physiotherapist for best results. With a proper treatment plan tailored specifically for you, it is possible for you to get back on track with minimal downtime.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Nitin Nair, BPT, R/TRO DIP, PT, or one of the other physiotherapists at CARESPACE Health+Wellness in Kitchener and Waterloo. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
