BICEPS BRACHII MUSCLE MILD STRAIN
WHAT IS IT?
The biceps brachii, commonly known as the biceps, is a two-headed muscle located on the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow, and is responsible for the movements of flexion (i.e. Â bending) and supination (i.e. rotating the wrist towards the ceiling) at the elbow joint.
A muscle strain injury at the biceps is caused by an excessif stretching of the muscular fibers beyond their physiological limit. This injury mostly affects the tone within the muscle, as the muscle fibers themselves will for the most part remain  intact. The muscle strength thus also isn’t significantly affected.
Although there is no complete muscle tear with this injury, a biceps muscle mild strain can still be symptomatic. Indeed, one of the most characteristic symptoms of this  condition is pain felt at the biceps muscle with contracting or stretching the muscle, and with palpation over the muscle. There may also be presence of swelling and bruising if the strain was enough to cause a partial tear in some of the muscle fibers.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORSÂ :
- A pre-existing lack offlexibility or contracture of the biceps muscle
- A lack of muscle strength in the biceps
- A sudden stress placed on the forearm during a muscular contraction
- The practice of certainsportswhich require an important and sudden contraction of the biceps or an excessive biceps stretchingregiment
WHAT DO PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENTS CONSIST OF?
Firstly, physiotherapy treatments will aim to reduce the pain and inflammation present with the use of electrotherapy (such as ultrasound or TENS), ice and proper education regarding the activities that may worsen your condition and thus that should be avoided for the time being. Then, your therapist will use a wide array of manual therapy and myofascial release techniques, and will prescribe appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises.
Therefore, please consult a Forcephysio physiotherapist as soon as possible for a quick recovery!
