Causes of pain in the middle of the bicep and their treatment

The biceps are one of the most important muscles of the body. It has two tendons, one of which remains attached to the shoulder bones. The other remains connected to the radius bone at the elbow. So, if you are feeling pain in the bicep, it can be for many reasons. It can be a bruise, or a strain, or a tear. Irrespective of that, bicep pains are incredibly painful. So, in this article, we will check the main causes of biceps pain and also explore the best ways to treat them. 

1. Muscle strain

Repetitive movements of the arm can strain the bicep muscles. When your bicep muscles are strained, it is a very painful sensation. You won’t be able to move your hand freely. Moreover, you will face trouble gripping or pushing anything. Most muscle strain happens in people who are athletes. 

They can strain muscles during weightlifting and repetitive lifting. However, it can also happen because of sudden excessive force on the bicep. You can check out the nursing essays on MyAssignmentHelp for more details on muscle strain. 

The best way to treat muscle strain is to rest the affected area properly. You may also try applying ice and compression on the affected area. Alternatively, you can keep your hand rested in an elevated position. That way, the blood flow will regularise and, eventually, will decrease the pain. 

2. Tendonitis

Bicep tendonitis is another reason why your bicep can be in pain. It is also known as bicipital tendonitis. It refers to the swelling of the tendons connecting the bicep to the shoulder. Tendonitis may even occur in the tendons connecting the bicep with the elbows. It can cause extreme pain in the middle of the bicep. 

This condition is often observed in powerlifters and gym enthusiasts. Repetitive overhead movements or excessive eventually strain the tendons, and they swell up. A few nursing essays on MyAssignmentHelp can provide you with better insight into this issue. 

In case of tendonitis, you can try bracing or splinting to treat the pain. Sometimes, immobilising the affected area also gives relief. However, if the condition is too severe, you need medications or even vaccines. Usually, doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to treat the pain. If the pain doesn’t stop, the final solution is to take steroid injections. 

3. Bicep tear

A partial or complete tear in the bicep muscle is known as a bicep tear. Even a small tear can cause excruciating pain in the middle of the bicep. Such injuries happen because of sudden, forceful movements. Putting excessive strain on the muscle can also tear the muscle. Anyone can suffer from bicep tears and not necessarily athletes. 

For example, trying to pick up a heavy bucket can also tear your biceps. Again, trying to exercise with excessive dumbbell weights can also tear the muscle. So, you should be careful enough not to put excess pressure while working or exercising. 

To treat a bicep tear, the only thing you need is rest. Avoid any overhead activities or heavy lifting till the doctor says. Usually, bicep tears recover in a month if properly rested. But if the degree of tear is more, the patient may need to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Even after the medication is complete, you need complete physiotherapy to fully recover. 

4. Brachial neuritis

Brachial neuritis, or neuralgic amyotrophy, is another reason for bicep pain. Some nursing essays also term it as Parsonage-Turner syndrome. It is a rare condition where the nerves in the shoulder region get damaged. Damaged or inflamed nerves can cause pain in the biceps. Many times it is accompanied by weakness or numbness. 

You can find out if you have brachial neuritis from these symptoms. You may feel severe pain in the shoulder or upper arm or in just one side of the body. After a few hours or days, you will feel weakness in the muscles. Gradually it will paralyse the muscles of the affected arm or shoulder, resulting in a total lack of muscle control. The worst part is it can happen to anyone, and it impacts their lower motor neurons. 

The treatment plan for brachial neuritis depends according to its severity. If the condition is in mind, it can heal on its own within a few months. In certain cases, this process can take even a year or more. But if the pain doesn’t subside even after a year, you will need physiotherapy sessions. Ideally, if possible, try to get surgery for permanent resolution of this problem. 

5. Radial nerve entrapment

The radial nerve runs down the upper arm and sometimes gets entrapped or compressed. This may cause severe pain in the bicep region. This can occur due to trauma, repetitive motions, or prolonged pressure on the nerve. Here are a few symptoms you should be careful about to identify radial nerve entrapment. 

You may feel pain in the back or top of the forearm. There will be a burning pain in the bicep, and it will extend from the elbow down to the wrist. You will also feel pain while straightening the wrist or while rotating the forearm. Many times, people don’t realize the symptoms until it’s really late. So, if the pain gets aggravated, doctors may order electromyography to confirm radial nerve damage. 

6. Other factors

There are certain other factors that can cause pain in the middle of the bicep. According to various nursing essays, pain in the middle of the bicep can be attributed to other conditions like –

• Muscle imbalances

Many amateur fitness enthusiasts undergo improper workout regimes. Some play one-handed sports like tennis, which puts too much pressure on the biceps. When excess physical activity happens in one muscle group, it causes muscle imbalance. Such instances can lead to pain in the middle of the biceps. However, it can be cured with proper rest and fitness regimes.

• Arthritis

Arthritis may happen because of a faulty immune system. In this case, the body attacks its own tissues in the joints. This is an extremely painful medical condition, mostly found in aged people. In some cases, young people suffering from autoimmune diseases can also get arthritis. In this disease, the joints swell up, which can lead to pain in the biceps. 

Unfortunately, arthritis has no permanent cure. Since it is an autoimmune disease, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle always. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and naproxen, are used for temporary relief. Some also use home remedies like warm compress and paraffin wax treatment. However, none of them can guarantee a permanent remedy for arthritis.

Conclusion

Bicep pain can be an extremely uncomfortable and painful medical condition. Although old people mostly face these problems, there is no particular age or profession that is at risk. If left untreated, this pain can get exaggerated and will be difficult to control. Hence, you should follow these treatment plans to get a quick resolution to your bicep pain.

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