Bicep Tendonitis Physical Therapy: How It Works, What to Expect, and Best Exercises
Learn how bicep tendonitis physical therapy can help you manage symptoms and prevent future pain flares through targeted exercises.
Table of Contents
Bicep tendonitis occurs when the tendon connecting your bicep muscle to your shoulder or elbow becomes irritated or inflamed, often due to overuse or repetitive movements. “Your biceps are strong and resilient, and there’s a lot you can do to help them recover and avoid further irritation,” says Gwen Smith, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. Bicep tendonitis physical therapy uses targeted techniques and exercises to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent flare-ups
Read on to learn how physical therapy can treat bicep tendonitis — and how digital providers like Hinge Health make it easy to access effective care.
Interested in getting a personalized plan for bicep tendonitis? Learn more about Hinge Health’s digital physical therapy programs and see if you’re eligible.
Our Hinge Health Experts
Gwen Smith, PT, DPT
Claudia Canales, PT, DPT
How Can Bicep Tendonitis Physical Therapy Help?
It may feel counterintuitive to move when you’re dealing with the discomfort of bicep tendonitis, but gentle, controlled movement is actually one of the best ways to support your recovery. Avoiding movement might lead to increased stiffness or weakness, making recovery longer and more challenging. “Staying active helps improve blood flow to the affected area, which can reduce stiffness, promote healing, and help maintain the strength of surrounding muscles,” says Dr. Smith.
Physical therapists use a variety of techniques — including exercises, education, and activity modifications — to treat bicep tendonitis. A key component is exercise therapy, which is a plan of therapeutic exercises to relieve pain and manage conditions. At Hinge Health, physical therapists provide personalized exercise therapy plans as a core part of treatment, emphasizing that movement is medicine.
Physical Therapy Exercises for Bicep Tendonitis
Want expert care? Check if you're covered for our free program →- Standing Chest Stretch
- Scapular Squeeze
- Shoulder Rows
- Banded Pull Aparts
- Banded Bicep Curl
- Sleeper Stretch
Physical therapy (PT) is for more than just recovering from surgery or injury. It’s one of the top treatments for joint and muscle pain. It helps build strength, improve mobility, and reduce pain. And it doesn't always need to be in person.
Hinge Health members can conveniently access customized plans or chat with their care team at home or on the go — and experience an average 68% reduction in pain* within the first 12 weeks of their program. Learn more*.
The above exercises are recommended by Hinge Health physical therapists for bicep tendonitis. They are specifically designed to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and gradually rebuild strength in the affected tendon and surrounding muscles. Practicing these exercises regularly is a great step toward preventing future pain flares, but working with a physical therapist can provide you with more personalized exercises and treatments tailored to your specific needs and goals.
The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.
What to Expect at Bicep Tendonitis Physical Therapy
Bicep tendonitis physical therapy is tailored to an individual’s specific needs, focusing on exercises and techniques that target the root causes of your pain. From stretching and strengthening to personalized guidance on activity modifications, physical therapy provides a well-rounded approach to help you heal. Here’s more on what to expect.
Personalized assessment. Your physical therapist will ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, and movement patterns. This helps them understand how bicep tendonitis is affecting you and guides your treatment plan.
Stretching exercises. Bicep tendonitis physical therapy includes targeted stretches to improve flexibility and reduce tightness in your biceps and surrounding muscles, such as your shoulders and forearms. Stretching promotes better mobility in your arms and shoulders. It also prepares your muscles and tendons for targeted strengthening exercises.
Strengthening exercises. Targeted exercises for your bicep, shoulder, and rotator cuff gradually rebuild strength, helping to support your arm and prevent reinjury. “Many people who develop bicep tendonitis also have weakness in their rotator cuff,” says Dr. Smith. “If that area isn’t strengthened, it may make it harder to do certain overhead motions.”
Functional training and activity modifications. Your therapist can review movements specific to your daily activities or job, helping you return to normal tasks safely and without pain. They can teach you how to adjust activities that may strain your bicep tendon, such as lifting techniques or workplace ergonomics.
Pain relief techniques. Tools like ice and heat may help temporarily reduce pain and inflammation. These treatments complement your exercises by easing symptoms and making arm movement more comfortable.
Bicep Tendonitis Physical Therapy with Hinge Health
If upper arm pain is limiting your movement, Hinge Health can help. As a digital clinic for joint and muscle care, Hinge Health offers access to physical therapists, along with personalized exercise therapy, health coaching, education, and more.
Staying consistent with exercise therapy can be challenging, but research shows that it’s the key to building habits and achieving results. Our physical therapists, health coaches, and care team work together to help you make exercise therapy a habit, so you can get back to doing what you love.
Hinge Health physical therapists can give you an assessment, rule out any serious causes of your pain, help you modify your activities, empower you with tools and tips to help you hurt less, and personalize your exercise program.
Meeting with a Hinge Health Physical Therapist
Unlike traditional physical therapy visits, Hinge Health provides access to physical therapists via video appointments. Your therapist can conduct a movement assessment, create a personalized exercise plan, and help you perform exercises with confidence — all from the comfort of your own home.
You can ask your physical therapist questions about your pain, function, and progress — during video visits or anytime via messaging in the Hinge Health app. Your physical therapist can adjust exercises as needed to keep you on track. In addition to a physical therapist, Hinge Health also provides every member with a dedicated health coach for motivation and accountability. Together, they ensure you’re fully supported throughout your treatment.
See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.
This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.
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References
Edith Cowan University. (2022, August 15). Exercise answer: Research shows it's how often you do it, not how much. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220815085707.htm
McFarland, E. G., & Borade, A. (2016). Examination of the Biceps Tendon. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 35(1), 29–45. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2015.08.004
Athwal, G.S. October 2021. Biceps Tendinitis. OrthoInfo. Retrieved from https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/biceps-tendinitis