Ouch!!!

[Whaleboy]

A few days ago I went to the gym and did something to my bicep (yes, my left bicep Verres). I think I might have torn it or something. It hurts to move and flex but I can move it, its not getting a whole lot better. I did something similar about 6 months ago, same arm, but it got better after a couple of days, so now I'm worried. Doctor, or ride it out?

[Dinner]

Doctor's visits are free in the UK so go to the Doctor. If you still feel like self diagnosing then determine when the pain started. Did you feel a sharp ripping pain when you were lefting the weights or did you just feel sore after you were done? If you really over did it you might feel very stiff for a couple of days.

[oedo]

doctor.

[Curiosity]

I've done this loads of times to various body parts, and it's a *****. Worst was having only a ~30 degree range of motion in my elbow for a week - in both arms.

If it's just generalized soreness and inflexbility then you've overdone it should be OK in at most a week. That's not too bad, but it will kill your endurance if you do it too many times. If it's a sharp stabbing localized pain when you apply pressure with the arm then it could be a torn ligament or such, these IME take *ages* to heal. Like a month+.

You might as well go to the doc, but there's not much they can do about it. Go easy on that arm for 2-4 weeks after it stops hurting to avoid re-injuring yourself, you may screw yourself up permanently if you do it enough times.

[disclaimer]
Of course take my advice with a pinch of salt, I'm no doctor.
[/disclaimer]

[Whaleboy]

It just started feeling sore after a little while, then really bad next day. I can flex it, though the pain gets too much when I flex it a lot.

There was no immediate ripping sensation. It was only a 40kg bar...

[The Mad Monk]

Go see an orthopedist.

[Whaleboy]

Aren't they bone people?

[BustaMike]

The Doctor? Come on... . The thing will no doubt heal in a few days, and if you go the doctor is just gonna say take some pain killers and get some rest and you'll feel silly. As long as it's not poppin' or crunchin' or anything I'm sure it's just a strain.

You mentioned that you've hurt this arm before. It's been my experience that when stuff gets reinjured it stays hurt for a lot longer. My right index finger is like that. I dislocated it once playing basketball and now anytime it gets pulled too far to the side that damn thing hurts for weeks.

[Drogue]

The doctor can't give you anything for it. If it's really bad, go to a physiotherapist. That shortens healing time, but it's probably pulled, so just massage it yourself and leave of it for a couple of weeks. And remember to warm up before doing weights

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by elijah
There was no immediate ripping sensation. It was only a 40kg bar...

Hi Mr Universe.

[Stuie]

Originally posted by elijah
I can flex it, though the pain gets too much when I flex it a lot.

Then don't flex it a lot. -- Dr. Stuie.

[Verres]

My advice? Some heavy duty painkillers...or alternatively, alcohol

[Zero]

d00d its free. goto a doc

[Traianvs]

just don't do anything with the arm at all for a few days and it'll be fine

if it was something serious you'd be screaming in pain right now

[SpencerH]

Is there any bruising?

If yes, it may indicate a torn muscle

Is it generalized or a sharp local pain ?

Generalized pain (soreness) should be gone within a couple of days (usually).

Sharp localized pain is more indicative of a real injury.

Torn ligaments and tendons dont heal without surgery. Since you can move it and you havent mentioned having a rolled up bicep I doubt that you've completely torn anything, but if you have sharp pain in a localized spot that doesnt get better in 2-3 days you should go see a sports medicine specialist. The crappy part about that is that if you do have an injury you have better recovery if it is treated immediately i.e. dont wait and see go now.

:disclaimer: I'm not a physician just someone who's been weightlifting and powerlifteing for 25 years :disclaimer: