i can't see a specialist for three weeks but i've got a marathon coming up and i need to know before that. [more inside]
posted by holdenjordahl on Dec 26, 2009 - 3 answers

How long does a rib injury take to heal? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad on Dec 1, 2009 - 17 answers

Lung pain brought on by sudden exercise - possible causes/solutions? [more inside]
posted by Salieri on Nov 23, 2009 - 6 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)? [more inside]
posted by the littlest brussels sprout on Nov 20, 2009 - 17 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 - 6 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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm an earbud guy who needs a recommendation for DJ headphones...that won't hurt my ears. [more inside]
posted by awesomebrad on Apr 12, 2009 - 5 answers

I have chronic toe discomfort/pain. Any thoughts? [more inside]
posted by The bat in the hat on Mar 5, 2009 - 9 answers

My dominant hand has a painful, bony bump at the joint where my index finger and palm meet (the MCPJ) and I AM going to see a Dr this week about it. Can anyone recommend things I can do to help it not get worse? I cannot not type at my job. [more inside]
posted by wowbobwow on Mar 4, 2009 - 6 answers

What options do I have for what seems like a sudden acute bursitis attack in my right shoulder? I'm in Toronto and have an appointment for my first cortisone shot Tuesday (I may be able to successfully beg a shot on Monday), but I don't know if I can wait that long for my clinic to open again. It hurts a lot and I can't even sleep through the night. It's been getting worse since waking up Friday morning, not better. [more inside]
posted by maudlin on Feb 21, 2009 - 5 answers

Where should I start - a chiropractor, a sports massage, an orthopedist, acupuncture or what? [more inside]
posted by bunnycup on Feb 19, 2009 - 11 answers

What did I do to my calves, and is it ok to do it again this evening? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God on Jan 20, 2009 - 19 answers

Yet another cat health/vet visit related question. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven on Jan 7, 2009 - 9 answers

Dear MeFites, please help me find a way to live without these constant headaches. I have had chronic daily headaches, and at least 2-3 migraines a month, for the past ten years. I have tried everything I can think of short of surgery but nothing besides taking painkillers seems to help (and those only a little these days). [more inside]
posted by katala on Nov 30, 2008 - 40 answers

I think I broke my littlest toe. Everything I read online says that basically nothing can be done, so there's no point in going to the doctor, right? [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Oct 30, 2008 - 27 answers

I'm a 26 yr old male and suspect I have strained my right teres major muscle. Is it worth seeing a general practitioner/family doctor first (I suspect they will just toss me painkillers and tell me about R.I.C.E.)? If not a GP, what are ways I can find somebody in sports medicine or physical therapy (do they have hundred dollar new patient processing fees, etc too?) apart from references from acquaintances? Also, any relevant suggestions on what else I can do are also greatly appreciated. I am relatively inexperienced with dealing with doctors/doctor's offices but am interested in how I can become a more informed patient. [more inside]
posted by weakcore on Oct 10, 2008 - 9 answers

I just went to the bathroom to pee, and seconds after finishing I realized that I must have unwittingly touched some hot peppers when I was in the kitchen. Please help me stop this unholy burning. [more inside]
posted by number9dream on Sep 26, 2008 - 27 answers

My boyfriend cannot stop vomiting. I know you are not a doctor, but I am desperate. Please advise if you have ever had this happen, I'm very worried. [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob on Aug 3, 2008 - 81 answers

Could this scab be infected? [more inside]
posted by lunasol on Jul 10, 2008 - 17 answers

"Cold" feeling along both sides of my forearm, becoming achy. Doctor's appointment already made, but now I'm researching for ideas on relief -- and nothing seems to quite fit the symptoms! [more inside]
posted by subbes on Jul 8, 2008 - 12 answers

I suddenly developed a knot/lump and pain in the ball of my foot late last night that has persisted for 24 hours. I know it's not plantar fasciitis as I don't have stabbing pains in my heel or midfoot. [more inside]
posted by maudlin on May 7, 2008 - 8 answers

Are there alternatives to the lotus position for classic meditation that don't leave the back unsupported? I've found that sitting in an unsupported position, or in a chair that doesn't have a seat back, ends up making my back ache rather strongly. I've thought about investigating meditation (and looking into the more classical, early practices), but have wondered if there's a "kosher" (accepted in the discipline) way of doing the more classical meditations while having your back completely supported (by lying on the ground, or doing it in a chair, or what have you).
posted by WCityMike on Apr 24, 2008 - 17 answers

Sometimes my shins hurt when I'm walking alone. It never happens when I'm walking with someone else. [more inside]
posted by Memo on Oct 2, 2007 - 14 answers

I had two root canals on two upper right molars and now my entire mouth hurts. Is this common? [more inside]
posted by nuala on Jun 19, 2006 - 19 answers