Biceps Tendonitis Treatment in Sarasota: Active Release & Rehab for Shoulder Pain
If you’ve ever felt a deep ache in the front of your shoulder, especially after tennis serves, swimming, or weightlifting, you may be dealing with biceps tendonitis (biceps tendinopathy). This condition is common in overhead athletes and active adults in Sarasota who play tennis, golf, or train at the gym year-round.
At Well Co Chiropractic, we specialize in treating biceps tendonitis with Active Release Technique (ART) and progressive rehab plans. Our goal is not only to reduce pain but to restore strength and stability so you can keep moving without flare-ups.
What Is Biceps Tendonitis?
The long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) runs from your shoulder socket down into your upper arm. Its job is to assist in shoulder flexion, elbow flexion, and forearm rotation.
When this tendon becomes irritated from overuse, poor mechanics, or compression under the shoulder joint, it can cause:
Pain in the front of the shoulder (bicipital groove)
Tenderness with lifting or overhead motion
Night pain and stiffness
Weakness with pressing or pulling movements
Why athletes in Sarasota can have this
Tennis & Pickleball: Overhead serves and smashes stress the biceps tendon.
Golf: The follow-through can irritate the tendon at the front of the shoulder.
Gym training: Movements like bench press, dips, and pull-ups put heavy load on the biceps tendon.
Swimming & overhead sports: Repetitive motion causes microtrauma and irritation.
Evidence-Based Treatment
An expert consensus review found the most effective care for biceps tendonitis includes:
Manual therapy: Soft tissue release to reduce tension in the biceps and surrounding muscles.
Exercise rehab: Stretching and strengthening, especially the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers.
Activity modification: Temporary changes to pressing/pulling exercises to reduce stress on the tendon.
Active Release Technique (ART) is particularly effective because it breaks down adhesions and scar tissue, improves blood flow, and restores healthy tendon movement. A 2023 case study on tendonitis showed ART combined with rehab reduced pain by over 70% and improved strength dramatically.
What can we do about Bicep Tendonitis at Well Co?
Treat it! I treat BT with cupping, active release, and muscle scraping.
Rehab it! We go through simple drills for you to do at home to strengthen the muscles around the tendon without overworking it.
Rest it! Typically, any tendon injury needs at least 6 weeks of consistent treatment and rehab before returning to 100% of your working capacity at your activity level!
Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Hold You Back
Whether you’re serving on the tennis courts at Payne Park, golfing at The Oaks, or training in your local Crunch Sarasota gym, biceps tendonitis can slow you down. But with the right care, recovery is possible.
At Well Co Chiropractic, we help Sarasota athletes recover with Active Release and customized rehab, so you can keep playing the sports you love, without shoulder pain.
References
McDevitt AW, et al. Physical Therapy Interventions for the Management of Biceps Tendinopathy: An International Delphi Study. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022.
Nagore A, et al. Effectiveness of Active Release Technique With Conventional Therapy in the Management of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023.
Churgay CA. Diagnosis and treatment of biceps tendinitis and tendinosis. Am Fam Physician. 2009.
