Do you ever use visualization techniques such as imaginary trepanation? [more inside]
posted by Secret Life of Gravy on Nov 5, 2009 - 22 answers

Fingernail Filter: I know its been asked many times how to quit this compulsion. While that is a concern of mine, I need to know what to do to alleviate pain in the fingers from excessive fingernail biting. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Draccy on Nov 3, 2009 - 30 answers

What do you do to help your sore throat feel better? [more inside]
posted by katemcd on Oct 28, 2009 - 48 answers

California - Bay Area: where can I try out crazy good office chairs? All the advice posts/asks say to test a chair out before buying and I want to try the Think, Leap, Freedom, Aeron, or your other suggestions before my office buys a new chair for me ... but where (from SF to Oakland to Sonoma to Napa) can I go to get test these chairs out? [more inside]
posted by unclezeb on Oct 28, 2009 - 5 answers

Can you tell me about your experiences with pilates or yoga in regards to lower back pain? DVD or CD recommendations especially helpful. [more inside]
posted by rosethorn on Oct 26, 2009 - 18 answers

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis a year ago. I am on Enbrel and it has helped a great deal with the pain I experienced in my arms and joints but I am still having really bad pain upon walking or standing in my low back, sacral joint areas...I swim and do a variety of stretches but it is not allowing me the recovery I long for. I use to walk a few miles everyday, hike on the weekends and I haven't been able to do that in a couple of years. I miss it! I have been reading up on Epidural Cortisone injections and I am curious about personal results people have had. I am interested in the good as well as the bad stories, so I can decide, after meeting with my Doctors, if I want to go through with it. In other words if the benefits outweigh the risks.
posted by gypseefire on Oct 26, 2009 - 8 answers

Help me unlock my knees, please. [more inside]
posted by sarajane on Oct 21, 2009 - 4 answers

What is happening with my arm? Suddenly the bicep feels really tight and is sensitive and painful to touch. [more inside]
posted by molecicco on Oct 11, 2009 - 5 answers

My mom has been in constant pain for the past two months (likely from a virus). I'm hoping someone may have a suggestion to help her get back to a normal life. Details to follow... [more inside]
posted by Kippersoft on Oct 4, 2009 - 14 answers

What type of massage should I try... if any? [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay on Oct 1, 2009 - 15 answers

Give me your secret home remedies for toothaches and canker sores. [more inside]
posted by mittenbex on Sep 21, 2009 - 34 answers

I've had a pained knee for many years. A combination of flat feet and running in bad sneakers destroyed a lot of the cartilage, and now it hurts to run, kneel, etc. Cold weather brings the pain, especially. I've been through various types of physical therapy and tried various running books (ChiRunning) and shoes (from Grid Stabils to FiveFingers), but it never makes the pain go away completely. Recently, a well intentioned relative brought me Joint Relief Formula which purports to help your joints with Omega 3 and "Iceland Collagen GHA". I can't find any unbiased reviews on the web, nor any explanations why Omega 3 or the Collagen would help in my case. Has anyone used this stuff? Or can you link to medical studies showing their efficacy (or lack thereof)? I have access to most medical journals.
posted by zonem on Sep 21, 2009 - 7 answers

My eyes have ached for the past week. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by srrh on Sep 20, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me to achieve a pain-free workstation. I seem to be an ergonomic freak. After my job's ergo chief and her boss have measured me, changed my chair, and lowered my desk, I still have such neck and shoulder pain after an hour at the desk that my productivity is severely compromised. For hours after, I'm in pain. [more inside]
posted by goofyfoot on Sep 10, 2009 - 13 answers

I cut the lower half of my palm with a piece of shattered glass this afternoon. The cut was about 1/4" long, fairly deep, and about half an inch under the base of my pinky. I applied pressure, washed the wound with plenty of soap and water, and applied peroxide before putting on a band-aid. The bleeding has stopped and the edges of the cut seem comfortably closed up, but I experience a dull pain when I bend my pinky finger. The rest of my fingers feel fine, but I can't fully bend my pinky due to the pain. I've buddy-taped it for now, but I'm curious as to whether this is just my body's response to the pain from the cut or whether I might have damaged a nerve.
posted by whitedoor on Sep 1, 2009 - 18 answers

I have a problem with hearing bass music vibrating through my windows and walls into my home. It literally echos through my every vein and makes me feel insane. Is this a sign of age? Is something wrong with me? [more inside]
posted by czechmate on Aug 29, 2009 - 21 answers

MattressHackingFilter: I recently upgraded from a fairly firm queen sized mattress to a king-sized soft pillow-top (Simmons Beautyrest). While laying down feels noticeably different (and pretty damn comfy), I do wake up with some back pain, most notable a tightness in my upper back and in the shoulders towards the neck. Are there any quick-and-cheap solutions (besides returning it) that can alleviate the pain? Is this just my body adjusting or am I S.O.L.?
posted by miasma on Aug 24, 2009 - 10 answers

Arm/wrist problems and no health insurance: what to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 18, 2009 - 17 answers

Are these sudden, sharp twinges of pain in my neck normal? [more inside]
posted by amicamentis on Aug 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Deviated septum fixed - but 'new nose' feels damn weird. Advice appreciated. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 13, 2009 - 9 answers

(YANMD, but) what is this odd twinge that occasionally alternates between two points on my body? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 10, 2009 - 5 answers

Why does my back always hurt when doing the dishes? [more inside]
posted by bdoop21 on Aug 8, 2009 - 24 answers

For the past few months, I've been experiencing a lot of back pain during sleep and when I wake up. I've tried many solutions - sleeping on top of a bunch of blankets (to make my firm mattress softer), sleeping with a pillow between my legs (helps a little but not much, it seems), putting a towel under my hips, sleeping on my back, sleeping on my stomach, sleeping on my side. In a nutshell, I'm losing it and really could use some help. Anyone with a super-sensitive back who has found a comfortable way to sleep??? I have scoliosis, so that's one thing to keep in mind. Also, if one of the strategies I mentioned above worked for you, pleae don't hesitate to mention it - maybe you tried it in a different way than I did! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
posted by bross12 on Aug 7, 2009 - 22 answers

Health Mystery Solved. I have been given a diagnosis of avascular necrosis. My general practitioner relayed these results to me after she saw my MRI results. On Friday I meet with an orthopedic surgeon. Please help me prepare. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 5, 2009 - 5 answers

Mystery male organ pains (NSFW). Doctors I've seen before couldn't figure out the cause. What could it be and who should I see about this in Montreal, Quebec? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 31, 2009 - 7 answers

What can I do now to never get "con foot" ever, ever again? [more inside]
posted by arniec on Jul 27, 2009 - 17 answers

I woke up in the night with terrible pain in my breast, and it was full and firm, so I nursed on that side, (twice now during the night), with no relief. The pain seems to be more on one side. [more inside]
posted by hollyanderbody on Jul 18, 2009 - 23 answers

Stay vs. Go Showdown 2009 Also starring: 2 kids!!!!!!! Is it better to stay in a bad marriage so that the kids can be with both parents, or to divorce and hope for the best? [more inside]
posted by rahnefan on Jul 18, 2009 - 38 answers

I had a particularly painful mammogram in January. There were no problems with the results, but after a few days I started having pain under my right breast. I thought it was a soft tissue injury, but it won't go away. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Evangeline on Jul 17, 2009 - 4 answers

InsectBiteFilter. Help! Last Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona I was chilling outside and then some insect stung/bit/injected my neck. It was not a bee/wasp/spider/ant. It was a tannish brown color and I think it had transparent green wings but I can't recall for sure. It was about half an inch long. I tried to just forget about it but each day the sting gets more painful. I just hope there's no brood in my neck. Anyone know what kind of critter this could be? And, yes, I know I should go to the doctor but I wanted some hive-mind reassurance that I'll be fine. Thank you so much! Dang bugs.
posted by m_lazarus on Jul 16, 2009 - 13 answers

Why might my penis hurt? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 16, 2009 - 25 answers

To what would you compare the pain of getting a tattoo? [more inside]
posted by CwgrlUp on Jul 14, 2009 - 54 answers

Please help me sit cross-legged or explain the anatomical reasons why I can't. [more inside]
posted by Fairchild on Jul 10, 2009 - 14 answers

Gas/Chest Pains?? [more inside]
posted by lwclec072 on Jul 3, 2009 - 14 answers

I just found out yesterday that someone that I cared very deeply for died a few years ago from an overdose of heroin. I have a few questions regarding the nature of his death and etiquette surrounding contacting his family. [more inside]
posted by zerokey on Jun 26, 2009 - 15 answers

YANAD, but I'm having some noticeable pain in my right (dominant) hand in the muscle in between my index & middle finger knuckles on the back of my hand. I'm also writing my dissertation. [more inside]
posted by sararah on Jun 25, 2009 - 10 answers

I snapped and bit my nails way too short after having kicked the habit for several months. Now all my fingertips are seriously painful. Is there any kind of ointment or something I can buy at a drug store to cut down on the pain? [more inside]
posted by rivenwanderer on Jun 23, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm 21 and for the last 10 months or so I've been having knee pain above both kneecaps. The pain isn't confined to a point but instead spread over the area above my knee caps, and occurs whenever I bend the knee with weight on it. I've been to a surgeon who wants to do an arthroscopy but he doesn't know what the problem is and hence doesn't know if it will do any good. Has anyone had a similar kind of pain and if so how did you solve it? And could it be plica syndrome even though the pain is above the knee and in both knees? [more inside]
posted by Xeract on Jun 21, 2009 - 13 answers

Chest Pain Filter: So I continue to have this weird chest pain at the bottom of my breast bone area, perhaps a little down and to the left of my nipple. What could it possibly be? [more inside]
posted by UMDirector on Jun 16, 2009 - 15 answers

I just recently went and visited some friends and want to send a gift to thank them for being such great hosts. One of my friends has recently hurt his neck and I am thinking of sending something that might make him feel better. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by pazazygeek on Jun 16, 2009 - 7 answers

I just found out my foot pain is being caused by bunions. Now what? [more inside]
posted by picapica on Jun 15, 2009 - 12 answers

Joint pain while drawing--what to do? [more inside]
posted by omoikkiri on Jun 15, 2009 - 7 answers

Can anyone recommend a clinical hypnotist in the Toronto area who deals with chronic pain? Has hypnosis worked for you in the past with regard to chronic pain? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 8, 2009 - 1 answer

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

lower back pain after lifting legs in the gym. [more inside]
posted by l2yangop on May 26, 2009 - 12 answers

What is this pain in my hip, how can I make it go away, and should I make a doctor's appointment yet? [more inside]
posted by booknerd on May 25, 2009 - 10 answers

For the last ten years or so, I've had chronic pain and mild swelling in (what I think are) my parotids, the largest of the salivary glands. However, my docs beg to differ (sometimes with me and often with each other, it seems). Help me figure out what hurts. [more inside]
posted by blisskite triplicate on May 22, 2009 - 10 answers

My feet are in pain. What kind of doctor should I go to? I've heard that podiatry is sort of a dubious branch of medicine. [more inside]
posted by Sloop John B on May 19, 2009 - 17 answers

Why does my nose hurt after a cold? I'm starting to get over a cold from hell - lots of nasal congestion (went through two boxes of Kleenex). I'm finally on my feet, but the right side of my nose - starting about where the cartilage/bone starts - is really sore. Any pressure on that side of my nose causes a throbbing pain. [more inside]
posted by adverb on May 8, 2009 - 10 answers

I bought my partner a cheapie guitar, but fretting its strings is incredibly uncomfortable compared with my own cheapie guitar (with the same light gauge strings). What could be causing the difference, and how do I fix it? [more inside]
posted by hayvac on Apr 29, 2009 - 18 answers