The triceps brachii muscle is located in the upper arm and goes along the humerus between the elbow and the shoulder. The medial head of the triceps is one of the main elbow extensors while the long head adducts and extends the arm. It also serves to stabilize the shoulder which is one of the more sensitive joints, prone to injury so the triceps brachii has an important role in keeping it stable and healthy.

It’s very easy to access and treat the triceps brachii muscle as no other muscle is in the way when a remedial massage therapist is targeting this muscle. Even firm squeezing motions are possible and it’s easy to loosen this muscle.

This muscle is usually worked through triceps extensions with weights or cable push downs as well as push ups or bench presses. A lot of care is needed by those who are just starting to work out or athletes who are pushing themselves too hard, because an injury can cause more than just a great deal of pain but also numbness and difficulty performing simple day to day tasks.

It is very common to injure the triceps tendon or the muscle itself. A strain usually occurs in the area where the triceps muscle and the tendon connect, either at the elbow joint or the shoulder joint but it can occur anywhere on the muscle. Strains can be classified according to their severity, from light sprains that only involve over stretching of the muscle with minimal inflammation or pain to more severe strains that may involve the complete separation of the muscle fibres and the loss of the arm’s function.

The most common cause is overuse or a sudden use of the muscle that may twist it or require more force than the muscle is able to provide. Some people might not even notice that they have an injured tendon because they might have micro tears in their tendon. If no special care is taken they can lead to partial tears or a complete rupture of the tendon. A completely ruptured tendon or partial tear can also be due to overuse or sudden force.

It is very important to act quickly in the first few hours of the strain or severe injury by applying a cold compress over the affected area. This will help reduce inflammation and swelling. After the swelling goes down you can try applying warm packs to reduce pain. Using anti-inflammatory drugs can help you relieve pain as well as reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected area.

Treatment for severe strain and injuries can include a remedial massage therapy to help with recovery as well as surgery when the ruptured muscle has been disconnected from the bone so if you suspect something severe has happened you should seek medical advice immediately.

Patients who are recovering from the triceps brachii muscle injury should do gentle elbow movements to avoid experiencing stiffness and strengthen their muscle. A compression bandage is also helpful as it supports the muscle and the joints so that it can heal properly. Obviously having a regular remedial massage is the best way to keep the muscle loosened and healthy.

The most common symptom after the injury has taken place is pain, followed by tenderness, inflammation and, eventually, a bruise on the exact location that was injured. Some people might also experience a popping sensation when they injure themselves and afterwards the inability to extend their shoulder or their elbow, depending on where the injury is located. One of the most concerning symptom for some is a sound when they move their hand.

Unfortunately injuries of the triceps brachii muscle can take a long time to heal and people might spend up to 12 months to recover properly. It is recommended to do some light exercise and a short session of massage therapy during this period.

Although injury of the triceps brachii is common, there are some people who are more at risk. Athletes who use their shoulders and hands such as tennis players, basketball players, etc. will eventually injure themselves from overuse. Another group that is often affected by triceps brachii muscle injuries is bodybuilders who lift weights or people who incorporate push ups in their training regimen.

The use of steroids and even corticosteroids injections will make people more prone to get injured. The last group is comprised of those with overall poor strength and flexibility in that area, as well as those who haven’t recovered properly from an injury.

There are some precautions you can take to make sure that you don’t injure yourself. If you have a regular exercise regimen or you are an athlete, you should warm up and stretch beforehand. Allowing your body to adapt to a new exercise regimen by resting properly between workouts will also decrease your chance of injury. Another important aspect is to learn how to use the correct techniques and posture while working out. Maintaining a good physical fitness can also help you avoid injuries.

If you have trouble with your upper arm or triceps brachii muscles and need a treatment with a remedial massage, sports massage or deep tissue massage on the Gold Coast, click and visit www.remedialmassage-goldcoast.com.au and feel better already.

Pain Relief Massage Clinic
192 Brisbane Road, Arundel Gold Coast QLD 4214 Australia
Phone: (07) 5537 7886