Your upper bicep likely hurts when you lift your arm due to bicep tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendons connecting your bicep muscle to your shoulder and/or elbow.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
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Bicep Tendonitis Explained:
- What it is: Bicep tendonitis is the inflammation of the biceps tendon, a strong cord of tissue that connects the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder and elbow.
- Location of Pain: Pain is typically felt in the front of the shoulder or upper arm. This is because the long head of the biceps tendon attaches to the shoulder joint. Pain near the elbow is also possible.
- Mechanism of Injury: It often results from overuse or repetitive motions, particularly overhead activities.
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Common Causes:
- Overuse: Repetitive arm movements, such as those performed in sports like baseball, tennis, swimming, and weightlifting, can irritate the bicep tendon.
- Repetitive Motion: Occupations that involve repeated overhead reaching or lifting can also contribute.
- Age-Related Wear and Tear: As we age, tendons can become less flexible and more susceptible to injury.
- Trauma: A sudden injury, like a fall or direct blow to the shoulder, can cause tendonitis.
- Poor Lifting Technique: Improper form when lifting weights or other heavy objects can strain the bicep tendon.
- Shoulder Impingement: This condition, where soft tissues in the shoulder are compressed, can irritate the bicep tendon.
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Why Lifting Your Arm Aggravates the Pain:
- Lifting your arm engages the bicep muscle. This pulls on the inflamed tendon, increasing pain and discomfort. This is particularly true with activities like:
- Lifting objects overhead.
- Reaching across your body.
- Rotating your arm.
- Lifting your arm engages the bicep muscle. This pulls on the inflamed tendon, increasing pain and discomfort. This is particularly true with activities like:
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Other Symptoms that May Accompany the Pain:
- Pain or aching in the front of the shoulder or upper arm.
- Weakness in the shoulder or elbow.
- Tenderness to the touch in the bicipital groove (the area in the front of your shoulder where the biceps tendon runs).
- A snapping or popping sensation in the shoulder.
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What You Can Do:
- Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
- Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder and improve your range of motion.
- See a Doctor: If your pain is severe or doesn't improve with home treatment, see a doctor for further evaluation and treatment. They may recommend imaging tests (like an MRI) or other interventions, such as corticosteroid injections.
In summary, the pain in your upper bicep when lifting your arm is most likely due to bicep tendonitis, which is often caused by overuse, repetitive motions, or age-related wear and tear, and is aggravated by actions that engage the biceps muscle and its tendon.
