Bicep Tendonitis

[One Ugly Ear]

I was wondering if any of you guys had problems with bicep tendonitis while grappling. I originally got it while lifting weights, but it has gotten much worse in the past month or so. The pain is located on the inside of my elbow (portion nearest my body) and radiates up the bicep and ends in the rear delt. Arm bars send me through the roof.

I know the standard treatment is rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medicine, etc., but I wanted to know if anyone has any other advice? A friend told me that he had a similar affliction and ultrasound helped. Any ideas? I know that it has gotten worse because I use WAY too much strength when I grapple (I am a beginner), but I am working on using more technique and less strength. Thanks in advance for any replies.

BTW...I posted a similar thread on the Strength board so I aplogize for anyone that had to read it twice...

 

[whipyourasstyle]

Rest and Alieve. Just do position work for a week or two. . .no training. Keep the cardio up by jumping rope HARD. Stationary bike. Running. Rounds and rounds of nothing but low kicks.

 

[One Ugly Ear]

Rest and Alieve. Just do position work for a week or two. . .no training. Keep the cardio up by jumping rope HARD. Stationary bike. Running. Rounds and rounds of nothing but low kicks.

Thanks, bro.

 

[dcfella]

I think I am having a similar problem as you. After my class last thursday, the inside of my elbows and part of the back were hurting so much I could barely lift my arms. It took over an hour before it started to get better. I've been having this problem on and off for about 3 weeks.

 

[hippiass]

See a massage therapist, sports therapist or physiotherapist. Rest and ice are definetely needed, but just because you rest and ice it doesnt mean it gets better. I see an RMT once every couple of weeks and it really does help after doing a few heavy training sessions.

And are you talking about the pain being in your inner elbow area in anatomical position (the position of bodies you see in medical books)? Because if you are, i dont think its bicep tendonitis. The bicep muscle tendon doesnt insert into that part of the arm. Bicep tendonitis usually occurs at the top of the arm near the shoulder at the glenohumeral joint.

Definetely get it looked at.

 

[DaRuckus337]

I've had it before. It sucks. But I managed to wrestle, roll, and lift through it anyways. Just stretch and warm up well, take alot of advil, and incorporate some hot and cold massage as appropriate. Like most tendinitis, it'll usually go away on it's own eventually, and while rest helps somewhat, well-managed exercise and training doesn't make it so bad that taking time off becomes worthwhile IMO. I simply do not have enough respect for inflamed tendons to miss significant amounts of training for them.

 

[One Ugly Ear]

I've had it before. It sucks. But I managed to wrestle, roll, and lift through it anyways. Just stretch and warm up well, take alot of advil, and incorporate some hot and cold massage as appropriate. Like most tendinitis, it'll usually go away on it's own eventually, and while rest helps somewhat, well-managed exercise and training doesn't make it so bad that taking time off becomes worthwhile IMO. I simply do not have enough respect for inflamed tendons to miss significant amounts of training for them.

LOL....I feel the same way which is why mine is getting worse. Taking time off isn't really an option (I know, I know...that is not smart thinking). I only raised the initial question because now I am noticing that after grappling my arm has a noticeable decrease in strength (along with the pain). A few times I had trouble lifting my arm up onto the steering wheel in order to drive home (the arm just had no strength). I know it sounds crazy, but it is true.

 

[One Ugly Ear]

I think I am having a similar problem as you. After my class last thursday, the inside of my elbows and part of the back were hurting so much I could barely lift my arms. It took over an hour before it started to get better. I've been having this problem on and off for about 3 weeks.

I feel your pain. Everyone tells me that I am "using too much strength" while grappling which is why my arm hurts. I know they are right, but now even using a little strength causes pain. It sucks.

 

[fatu]

i have similar problems with my biceps.

if i find myself fighting with stronger guys and having to use alot more strength to subdue them my biceps develop a deep aching pain from the middle of the bicep, outwards.

after training sometimes my arms feel 'dead' or ache to the point where its actually really painful and it takes about an hour or two before it calms down.

i have gone to phisio and seen medical specialists but no one has really solved the problem.. it seems to be that my posture is really bad and because my shoulders are pulled forward because of the posture it takes alot more of the load on my biceps, causing them to become torn and painful very easily.

i dont know if others that experience this also have bad posture but that i think is one of the reasons my biceps take much more of the load then they should.

 

[jermzkill]

I have this problem not so much in my bicep but in my forearm. It just gets really tight and I can hardly grasp anything

 

[XFactor]

I've had trouble with this from baseball, go see a doctor, massage therapy is great for this
My chiropractor did something where he dug his fingers into the inside of my elbow and have me extend it from hand touching shoulder to all the way extended. It hurt like crazy, but it makes you feel better

 

[hocky]

try deep tissue massage!go to a certified sports therapist!hurts like a mofo but after six treatments my biceps were a 100% improved..

 

[TheCuttlefish]

Lifting + Wrestling = Tendonitis

Without fail. If you are training hard you shouldn't be lifting arms more than once a week and you should be able to find a way to lift around your problem.

 

[Photek]

Lifting + Wrestling = Tendonitis

Bingo!

I have the same problem. It's gotten so bad that my forearms (right on top of the elbow) swell to the size of a softball about an hour into every BJJ session. The swelling then pinches a nerve and my fingers curl up and I can't grip anymore. I've had cortisone shots, ice it every day, taken so much ibuprofen I started having kidney damage, and it won't go away. I have a surgery consultation in two weeks with my Ortho. Last time I saw him, I asked him if I take some extended time off, will it heal; he said that even if I take off six months, when I come back it will hurt and swell again.

 

[mmacheesedhead]

I used to have a problem with it, but after I got married it went away