The elbow is a hinge joint where three bones meet in the middle portion of the arm. The elbow functions to move the arm forward and backward and in rotation twisting outward and inward like a hinge. Biceps is the major group of muscles that flexes the elbow. Triceps is the major muscles group that extends the elbow. Tendons are attached to both the outer and inner portion of the elbow. A fluid filled sac or bursa covers the tip of the elbow and serves to reduce friction.

Although you cannot feel it, the elbow bursa is located behind your elbow, over the pointed tip. Bursitis to the elbow is referred to as olecranon (oh-LEK-rah-non) bursitis. This is normally a result of repetitive movement or prolonged, excessive pressure to the area. People who perform repetitive activities, such as tennis players or construction workers, commonly develop this condition.

The most common source of elbow joint pain is known as tennis elbow. This is when the outer tendon becomes inflamed from overuse of the lower arm, such as when you hit a ball with a tennis racket. The twisting motion can irritate the tendon, causing you pain. Though it is called tennis elbow, such elbow joint pain is not always caused by tennis, as many athletes know. With the constant motion required for sports using the upper body, the possibility of having tennis elbow pain increases and it is very important that precautions are taken.

Suffering silently through pain in such a vital joint is completely unnecessary. If you suffer from any type of inflammation in your elbow, you need to help heal the area or it could lead to something chronic and far more serious than pain and stiffness. Calcium is likely to build up in the area, leaving the joint nearly impossible to move and unable to be healed without surgery. However, finding a natural anti-inflammatory is the best way to fight the pain and help heal your elbow quickly. By using a natural anti-inflammatory you will also avoid the risk of forming a drug habit with prescribed pain killers

The physical examination consists of testing the range of motion of the elbow, and directly pressing on the outside of the elbow, in an attempt to locate points of tenderness. Occasionally, a splint may be useful to help decrease stress on the elbow throughout daily activities. Exercises become very important to improve flexibility to all forearm muscles, and will aid in decreasing muscle and tendon tightness that has been creating excessive pull at the common attachment of the epicondyle.

There are always other ways to ease up joint pain, beyond medication. Hot and cold applied to joints can often help to relieve pain. Each and every body and situation is different, and it is often necessary to experiment a little to find what system works for you.