Persistent Tendonitis

When bicipital tendonitis, which is inflammation of the tendon that attaches the biceps muscle in the upper arm to the shoulder, is not resolving with a full-component treatment plan, as an Advanced Proficiency Rated ACTIVATOR Chiropractor, I look for what may be keeping the patient’s healing from progressing.

Culprit #1 is biomechanical. Specifically, the humerus, the bone in the upper arm, can be rotated, causing stress on the bicipital tendon as it “rides” in a grove on the front of the humerus. The rotation can be medial or lateral. Both cause stress on the inflammed tendon. The solution is a precise, directional adjustment with the ACTIVATOR instrument to correct the rotation. The adjustment may need repeating over the course of several office visits.

The #2, and critically important, culprit is the patient’s nutrition. If (s)he is eating foods that cause inflammation, such a sugar, damaged fats, etc., this will significantly slow or even block healing.

Medicare and Maintenance Care

Medicare guidelines state that it will only pay for chiropractic treatment that is Medically Reasonable or Necessary (defined as treatment that yields a significant improvement in clinical findings and patient functionality). 

To you, and in the clinical judgement of your chiropractor, your treatment may be CLINICALLY APPROPRIATE:  it may enhance your life, relieve your symptoms, support your health and well-being, or prevent the deterioration of a chronic condition. 

But treatment that is CLINICALLY APPROPRIATE may not fit Medicare’s definition of MEDICALLY NECESSARY. 

Your chiropractor, by law. must inform Medicare when your care becomes maintenance care, thus clarifying to Medicare that this care is not reimbursable, and you will be responsible for payment.