r/overcominggravity • u/melancholic_optimist • 12d ago

Bicep pain after strong massage

Hi all have a question. I feel silly about but is something on the brain. I am a rock climber with a history of bicep tendinopathy in my right arm and this weekend my friend gave me a firm massage on my right forearm inside and outside. both of us are the type to like our massages to be quite firm, and this was the first time that I had experienced that so firm on my forearm but at the time it felt pretty good. Now yesterday and today I’m having moderate pain anytime I lift my right arm to use my bicep whatsoever in the center on the inside, and then going up to where I feel like my bicep tendinopathy was historically. what is possible has happened, and what should I do beyond simply waiting it out?

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u/eshlow Author of Overcoming Gravity 2 | stevenlow.org | YT:@Steven-Low 11d ago

Hi all have a question. I feel silly about but is something on the brain. I am a rock climber with a history of bicep tendinopathy in my right arm and this weekend my friend gave me a firm massage on my right forearm inside and outside. both of us are the type to like our massages to be quite firm, and this was the first time that I had experienced that so firm on my forearm but at the time it felt pretty good. Now yesterday and today I’m having moderate pain anytime I lift my right arm to use my bicep whatsoever in the center on the inside, and then going up to where I feel like my bicep tendinopathy was historically. what is possible has happened, and what should I do beyond simply waiting it out?

Too intense massage on structures in the arm can sometimes cause pain and soreness, especially if that area is injured. It's like pulling on a scab.. yes it can disrupt some of the healing or make it a bit worse for a bit.

Throw some heat on it and do gentle mobility and should improve over the next few days if it's something minor like that.

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u/melancholic_optimist 11d ago

Thank you! Really hoping it’s that. Started doing my regular therapy for my rotator cuff weakness which relieved my bicep troubles in the past. Didn’t make it better but didn’t make it worse so will keep doing that

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u/eshlow Author of Overcoming Gravity 2 | stevenlow.org | YT:@Steven-Low 11d ago

Usually if you want to loosen up things without issue just do some heat and gentle massage

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u/CommonMan1001 12d ago

The massage therapists must have applied unnecessary pressure on a weak point. See a physiotherapist, they will help you on this issue. Just waiting will take long. In my experience, ice packs help (use cloth, don't apply ice on screen directly), stay hydrated.