I live in northern New York where we have short hot summers of about 2 to 3 months and long cold winters. I have a variety of health problems, including joint problems, and hormone problems including low testosterone and higher than normal estrogen (I am a male) . I have noticed that in the summertime If I sit outside for one to two hours every day to absorb the sun I feel healthier, my joints hurt less, my hormones seem better, and I have more energy. Also if I have a cut or a twisted ankle It seems to heal faster then in the winter.
Assuming that it was the vitamin D from the sun that was causing this , I took vitamin D pills every day in the winter. However, I did not experience any of the benefits that I experienced with regular sunshine exposure.
This leads me to believe there is something else, some sort of other healing power in the sun that either science is not aware of yet or that I am simply not aware of. Is this possible?
posted by john123357
on Feb 5, 2013 -
23 answers
I appeared to have developed a bad back here in my 20s. What can I do? Will it get better and how?
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posted by strekker
on Mar 16, 2012 -
22 answers
What can cause knee stiffness and pain in less than a week without any distinct injury? And when is this an emergency?
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posted by NikitaNikita
on Jan 21, 2012 -
8 answers
IT Band problems: Tried the foam roller, deep tissue massage, building the muscle and stretches (all to no avail). What are other remedies?
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posted by xinglin91
on Nov 27, 2011 -
12 answers
What did I do to my foot? I have been working very physically and in bare feet no less but... my foot started to hurt several house after I was done with work and there wasn't a specific incident to cause the pain. My foot just started to radiate pain, seemingly out of no where.
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posted by m. says:
on Aug 3, 2011 -
7 answers
I get inner elbow pain from playing racquetball or rock climbing. What's going on and how do I fix it?
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posted by joshuaconner
on Jul 22, 2011 -
11 answers
What did I do to my lower leg last night? Denial about a potentially torn knee ligament and long recovery time have me wondering (hoping) it's not that serious. More inside.
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posted by duckus
on Jun 9, 2011 -
10 answers
Herniated disc, doctor says it's ok to climb (can't make it worse). First week back, electric shock pain. Can I safely ignore this?
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posted by defben
on May 12, 2011 -
8 answers
What jobs or projects can someone do while either laying down or kneeling 95% of the time?
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posted by rosa
on Jan 3, 2011 -
18 answers
How do I cope emotionally with severe lower back pain?
I have seen a doctor, and they said that I am doing all the right things, but it will be between 2 to 10 weeks before it stops.
In the meantime,
everything really, really hurts. Cuddling my partner. Standing. Walking. Grocery shopping. Driving. Going to the laundromat. Making the bed....
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posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets
on Sep 13, 2010 -
32 answers
I was rear-ended 9 months ago and now have a herniated L5/S1 with associated issues (sciatica, back pain). My doctor wants me to get an epidural injection of corticosteroids. Is this really my best option?
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posted by buckaroo_benzai
on Aug 2, 2010 -
24 answers
Yesterday I started having sudden sharp pain and stiffness in my left knee, above and around the kneecap. I suspect I injured it doing squats and lunges (with bad form) the night before. Could it get better on its own, if I rest for a few days? Or should I see a doctor (and what kind)?
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posted by the littlest brussels sprout
on Nov 20, 2009 -
17 answers
I am getting soreness/discomfort in a strange place while doing squats: on the outside of my right leg only, 4-6 inches above my ankle. I'm returning to weightlifting after a year off with unrelated shoulder injury, and this happens with very little additional weight beyond just the bar. Should I be stretching, starting with less weight, or something else?
posted by stopgap
on Jun 6, 2009 -
10 answers
I overtrained. A week later, my heel is still tingly and uncomfortable. What's going on?
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posted by 0xFCAF
on Aug 5, 2008 -
7 answers
A friend has a serious back injury and I want to help him negotiate the maze of advice he will face.
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posted by mecran01
on May 16, 2008 -
8 answers
Intense lower back pain on the left side. It's also painful down the side of my left leg. After being stiff and mostly inactive this winter I was doing some deep knee beds and intense hamstring stretches, now I'm in a huge amount of pain. My health insurance has a hefty deductible and am hoping to avoid the doctor's office. Any ideas on what to do to relieve the pain?
posted by huxley
on Apr 14, 2008 -
19 answers
I have some wrist pain from my wrist being twisted, which by all signs appears to be a sprain rather than anything more serious. I'm trying to make sure I don't need to visit an ER (other major factor is that I have no insurance and I don't know what would happen financially after an ER visit).
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posted by sparrows
on Feb 8, 2008 -
24 answers
Let me preface this question by saying that I work in retail. More specifically, I work in a slightly smaller than K-Mart national chain big-box store specializing in low quality clothing and home crap. Anywayz: I fell at work. Actually what happens was that the
entire back wall of the checkout lane I was using fell as I was leaning against it and took me with it. Yes. Best day ever. What do I do?
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posted by chichimimizu
on May 5, 2007 -
19 answers
4-month old leg injury filter: I scraped up my leg really bad 4 months ago. It healed, it scarred, it still hurts. Now what?
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posted by sirion
on Dec 15, 2006 -
8 answers
Name that injury: Two nights ago I tripped over my cat and fell really hard on the floor. [+]
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posted by scazza
on Feb 7, 2005 -
10 answers
My butt hurts. Any suggestions for how to cope with an injured coccyx (and pride)? [MI]
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posted by gatorae
on Mar 4, 2004 -
14 answers
