As a pitcher in baseball or softball, you put your arms through regular repetitive physical stress. Whether you're new to pitching or you've been doing it for years, one thing that all pitchers have in common is soreness in the arms due to this stress, particularly in the biceps. Consult your doctor if the soreness persists or worsens.
Causes
A sore biceps after pitching is typically caused by the stress of the pitching motion. When you repetitively perform the same motion at the force and speed necessary to propel the ball forward, you can place strain on the muscles of your arm. Repeating this motion during practices and games can result in pulls or strains of the biceps and surrounding muscles and other tissues.
Treatment
When dealing with a sore biceps, one of the more common treatment methods is the RICE method. RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Resting the biceps allows the muscles time to heal. Icing the biceps reduces inflammation and helps to dull the sensation of pain in the arm. Compression and elevating the arm to a level above your heart both help in reducing inflammation.
Medications
Along with the RICE method, over-the-counter medications can also help to dull pain associated with the biceps. Pain medications can be found at most drug and grocery stores and typically come in two types -- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, commonly abbreviated NSAIDs, and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen works by affecting the pain signals in your body, while NSAIDs block prostaglandins, which are responsible for creating the feeling of pain, FamilyDoctor.org explains.
Prevention
One of the best ways to help prevent sore biceps is to build up the muscle through strength conditioning training, which can help provide the structure and strength needed to withstand injury. A regular stretching routine can also help keep the different tissues of your arms more flexible, decreasing risks for injury. However, warns Kieran O'Sullivan of the University of Limerick in Ireland, in the hours leading up to pitching, static stretching can increase your risks of injury; dynamic stretching or light aerobic activity that mimics the motions you'll be performing can be more beneficial. Limiting the number of pitches you throw during practices and games can also help reduce risks for soreness and injury.
Posted in: Baseball