Quick fixes for aching elbows

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Rest, heat, stretching, and bracing are effective ways to find relief right now.

The elbow is a funny joint. It is home to your funny bone—your ulnar nerve—which hurts if it's hit a certain way. And the elbow is often overlooked as an important joint to help us maintain our independence. "Many older adults may not think much about the elbow, because it's not a weight-bearing joint and because it doesn't often develop arthritis or require joint replacement in the older adult population," says physical therapist Paige Norby of Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. But elbow pain can keep you from getting dressed, cooking dinner, and anything else that requires the use of your arm. Taking care of this joint helps ensure that you can care for yourself.