I’m experiencing fairly severe pain on my left (non-dominant) inner elbow pit (as indicated in the lower red section on the picture). I’ve had bicep tendonitis before which was linked to overuse/overtraining, but this does not feel the same.
Also it should be noted that my weightlifting over the last 6 months has been incredibly laid back due to being in law school. Until about a week ago I was only working out once or twice a week, just using resistance bands in my apartment. This pain started maybe two or three months ago, very mild at first, but has progressively become more severe.
Previously when I experienced a similar pain it was due to tight forearm muscles from playing guitar multiple hours a day (also a guitar instructor). I would use an electric massager on my inner and outer forearm and the pain would subside and I would be fine- sometimes for two days, sometimes a week or a month or longer. Again, because of school and covid I have not played guitar at all so that cannot be the cause. I have absolutely no idea what is causing this pain or exacerbating it.
Using the massager on my entire arm helps, but very temporarily now. Maybe 15 minutes. There is no swelling or physical issue that can be seen.
The only thing I can possibly link to it is that occasionally I will flex (think front double biceps pose) and “pop” my elbow joints. It’s tantamount to cracking your knuckles or your neck. I do not believe this is the cause as I have done it for a few years without incident. In fact I could usually only do it when I was experiencing the same type of inner elbow pain. It would provide the same relief as cracking your knuckles does. Maybe two or three of the last times I did this it was moderately painful…but again, the pain was already there- so it may have exacerbated it, but didn’t cause it.
I recently got tattooed on that bicep and I noticed some unusual bruising that I’ve never had when being tattooed before (both arms fully covered now; not a new experience). I took maybe 5 days off from lifting altogether, but it made no difference. It has now gotten to the point where I can’t even pick up my laptop without feeling this pain.
Again, it doesn’t seem to make sense that it would be bicep tendinitis as it has had fairly little use. I could be wrong, but I don’t think it’s an inflammation issue- again, because with all the time off it has never made a difference. Massaging doesn’t seem to be helping. I do not know how to rehab this and I’m not really in a position where I can see a physiotherapist about it.
