Bicep Tendinitis Treatment Specialist in Hoboken, NJ
If you’re dealing with the discomfort and pain of bicep tendinitis, Dr. Todd Givens, DC, and the team at Hudson Sport & Spine are here to help you get back to your active lifestyle. Our personalized treatments are designed to target the root cause of your pain, using a combination of manual therapies, rehabilitation exercises, and advanced techniques to reduce inflammation, relieve discomfort, and restore strength and mobility. For more information, contact us today or schedule an online appointment. We are conveniently located at 70 Hudson Street, suite 2B Hoboken, New Jersey 07030.


Table of Contents:
What is bicep tendinitis?
What are the non-surgical treatment options for bicep tendinitis?
How does ice therapy help with bicep tendinitis?
Can bicep tendinitis happen in both the shoulder and the elbow?
Bicep tendinitis is a common condition we treat here at Hudson Sport & Spine. It involves inflammation or irritation of the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder—most often affecting the long head of the biceps tendon. This tendon runs from the upper arm into the shoulder joint and is susceptible to injury from repetitive overhead activities, such as those performed in sports like tennis, swimming, or weightlifting, as well as certain occupations.
Typical symptoms our patients report include pain or tenderness at the front of the shoulder, which usually worsens with activity, especially when lifting or reaching overhead. Some may also experience arm weakness or a snapping sensation in the shoulder. Without proper treatment, bicep tendinitis can progress to more serious issues, including tendon tears.
Early recognition and expert management are key to preventing further injury and getting you back to your active lifestyle. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or suspect bicep tendinitis, contact us to schedule an assessment and start your recovery.
We offer comprehensive, non-surgical treatment options for bicep tendinitis, focusing on reducing pain and inflammation while promoting effective healing. Our approach is personalized to each patient’s lifestyle and activity level, ensuring a safe and speedy recovery.
Rest and Activity Modification
Our first line of care often includes recommending rest and activity modification. We’ll help you identify the specific movements—such as repetitive overhead activities or heavy lifting—that may be aggravating your symptoms. Our team works with you to adjust your daily routine, both at work and during sports or recreation, to protect your healing tendon.
Ice and Anti-Inflammatory Medications
To manage pain and swelling, we may suggest applying ice packs to the front of the shoulder or upper arm for 15-20 minutes several times a day. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can also be used to further reduce inflammation under our medical guidance.
Physical Therapy at Hudson Sport & Spine
Our experienced physical therapists design individualized rehabilitation programs focused on gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises target the muscles around your shoulder and upper arm to support the biceps tendon, enhance flexibility, and restore function. Your progress will be closely monitored and your therapy plan adjusted as you improve.
At Hudson Sport & Spine, our integrated, patient centered approach helps most individuals recover from bicep tendinitis without surgery. If your symptoms do not resolve with these non-surgical treatments, we’ll work with you to explore further diagnostic options and advanced interventions.
We often recommend ice therapy (cryotherapy) as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with bicep tendinitis. Bicep tendinitis is a common condition we see in our practice, characterized by inflammation of the tendon connecting the biceps muscle to the shoulder or elbow. This inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and limited range of motion—symptoms that can interfere with daily activities and athletic performance.
Applying ice to the affected area is an effective way to manage these symptoms, especially in the early stages of tendinitis or after activities that aggravate your pain. Ice therapy works by constricting blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the tendon. This helps minimize inflammation and swelling following an injury or flare-up. Additionally, the cooling effect helps numb the area, providing temporary pain relief and making it easier to participate in gentle stretching and strengthening exercises that may be recommended by our physical therapy team.
Our healthcare provider typically advises patients to apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, always with a protective barrier such as a cloth or towel to prevent skin damage. It’s important to allow the skin to return to normal temperature between sessions to avoid complications such as frostbite.
We frequently see patients dealing with bicep tendinitis—an inflammatory condition affecting the tendons of the biceps muscle. This condition most commonly develops at the shoulder, where the long head of the biceps tendon passes through the bicipital groove of the humerus. This area is especially prone to irritation for individuals who engage in repetitive overhead activities, lifting, or sports—common among our active Hoboken community.
Bicep tendinitis can also occur at the elbow, although this is less common. When the distal biceps tendon near the elbow becomes irritated from repetitive lifting or forceful bending, patients may notice pain, tenderness, or swelling at the front of the elbow, as well as weakness during arm movements. Whether the discomfort is at the shoulder, the elbow, or both, it can significantly impact your ability to stay active and enjoy daily life.
Our experienced team specializes in the accurate diagnosis and customized treatment of bicep tendinitis. We use a comprehensive approach that may include rest, targeted physical therapy, chiropractic care, anti-inflammatory medications, and, when necessary, advanced interventions such as corticosteroid injections. Our goal is to reduce your pain, restore full function, and help you return to your favorite activities as quickly and safely as possible. For more information, contact us today or schedule an online appointment. We serve patients from Hoboken NJ, Jersey City NJ, Weehawken NJ, West New York NJ, Guttenberg NJ, Secaucus NJ, Harrison NJ, Kearny NJ, Newark NJ, Belleville NJ, North Bergen NJ and Lyndhurst NJ.