Biceps Tendonitis (a.k.a. bicipital tendonitis) is an inflammation or irritation of the long head of the biceps tendon. When it gets irritated, it can be very painful and limit movement in the shoulder.
The biceps tendon is a strong, cord-like structure that connects the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder.
To stretch the biceps muscles and tendons, you can stand in a doorway or use a sturdy chair to hold onto. With your palm open facing in front of you, place it on the sturdy chair or doorway and lean forward bringing your shoulder forward and across your body. Hold that for 30 seconds and do it three times.
Another way to stretch them is to use the seat of the chair, and place your palm down on it with your fingers facing away from you. Turn around so your arm is behind you, and again lean forward and push your shoulder in front of you and slightly across your body. Hold for 30 seconds and do three of them.
Now you are going to sit in a chair and use a resistive band. Anchor the band onto something sturdy or have someone hold onto it for you. This exercise will be for internal rotation. Anchor it to a table leg, in a door, or have someone hold it for you. If you want to roll up a small towel and place it between your side and your elbow, this will keep your arm close to your side through out the exercise. Keep your elbow at about a 90 degree angle and your thumb up towards the ceiling. Slowly pull your arm and the band in towards your stomach, and then slowly come back out. You don’t need to come back out far, just to where your forearm is straight out in front of you. Start off with 10 of these, and then work your way up to 20-25. If that becomes easy, then move up with resistive bands.
Now you will do a shoulder external rotation. The band will be on the outside of your body. Start off with your arm at your stomach. Try to keep your elbow by your side through out the exercise. If you want to roll up a small towel and place it between your elbow and your side, this will keep your arm close to your side through out the exercise. Keep your elbow at about a 90 degree angle and your thumbs up towards the ceiling. Also try to keep your wrist in a neutral position. You don’t want to over stress your wrist, and then have a wrist injury. Slowly pull arm out away from your body, and then slowly come back in. Start off with 10 of these, and then work your way up to 20-25. If that becomes easy, then move up with resistive bands.
The last exercise is bicep curls. You can step on the band, and keep your elbow by your side. Pull all the way up and all the way down. Make sure you are doing the full motion to maximize working the muscle. Make sure you are controlling the band; don’t let the band control you!
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