Bicep & Tricep Tendonitis:

Why the Pain Keeps Coming Back

Pain in the front or back of the arm is often labeled as “tendonitis,” but many people are surprised when rest, ice, medications, or even cortisone injections only provide temporary relief. That is because the tendon is often not the true root of the problem.

What is Bicep Tendonitis?

Bicep tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches the bicep muscle to the shoulder or elbow. Most commonly, people feel pain in the front of the shoulder or upper arm. This condition is common in athletes, weightlifters, golfers, tennis players, construction workers, mechanics, and anyone doing repetitive lifting or overhead movements.

Symptoms often include:

• Front shoulder or upper arm pain
• Pain with lifting or pulling
• Weakness
• Clicking or popping in the shoulder
• Tightness in the upper arm

What is Tricep Tendonitis?

Tricep tendonitis involves irritation where the tricep tendon attaches near the elbow. This is commonly caused by repetitive pushing movements such as pushups, bench pressing, throwing motions, or repetitive work activities.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the back of the elbow
• Tenderness near the tricep attachment
• Pain with pushing activities
• Tightness in the back of the arm
• Weakness during pressing movements

How Does Tendonitis Actually Develop?

Most people think tendonitis simply means inflammation of the tendon itself, but in many chronic cases the real issue begins in the muscle.

When muscles are overused, strained, or repeatedly stressed, tiny micro-tears develop within the muscle fibers. As the body heals these areas, scar tissue forms. Over time, this scar tissue builds up and creates areas of tightness and restriction within the muscle.

This causes several problems:

• The muscle loses flexibility
• The muscle becomes shortened and tight
• Tension increases on the tendon attachment
• Abnormal pulling occurs on the tendon
• Friction and irritation continue with movement

In other words, the tendon is constantly being tugged on by a shortened, restricted muscle.

Why Rest or Cortisone Often Fails

Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, ice, and cortisone injections may temporarily calm the inflammation or pain, but they do not address the scar tissue and muscle restriction causing the abnormal tension in the first place.

That is why many people experience:

• Pain that repeatedly returns
• Temporary relief followed by flare-ups
• Loss of strength and mobility
• Chronic irritation despite treatment

The tendon may feel better briefly, but the dysfunctional muscle mechanics remain unchanged.

How Active Release Technique (ART) Helps

Active Release Technique is designed to locate and break up scar tissue and adhesions within muscles, tendons, fascia, and surrounding soft tissues.

During treatment, specific tension and movement are applied to the affected tissue to help:

• Reduce scar tissue buildup
• Restore normal muscle length
• Improve mobility
• Decrease abnormal tension on the tendon
• Improve circulation and healing
• Restore proper movement patterns

By addressing the muscle restriction itself, ART helps remove the constant stress being placed on the tendon. This is why many patients experience longer-lasting relief compared to treatments that only focus on reducing inflammation.

Why Early Treatment Matters

The longer scar tissue accumulates, the tighter and more dysfunctional the muscle becomes. Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic tendon degeneration
• Weakness
• Loss of range of motion
• Compensation injuries
• Shoulder, elbow, or neck problems

Treating these restrictions early can often help patients recover faster and prevent the problem from becoming chronic.

Final Thoughts

Bicep and tricep tendonitis are often more than just “inflamed tendons.” In many cases, the underlying issue is scar tissue buildup and shortening within the muscle itself, which continually pulls and irritates the tendon attachment.

While rest and injections may temporarily decrease pain, treatments like ART address the actual mechanical cause of the problem by restoring normal tissue mobility and reducing tension on the tendon.

If arm pain keeps returning despite traditional treatments, the muscle and soft tissue system may need to be evaluated — not just the tendon.