Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [4]

Tendinitis

Understand it: The thick cord that attaches muscle to bone becomes worn, irritated, or inflamed, causing pain or range-of-motion limitations at your shoulder, elbow, Achilles tendon, or knee. Blame repetitive use, like swinging a golf club or a tennis racket too often, or using incorrect technique, or both.

Stop it: Take a week off from the activity, during which time you can dull the pain with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as naproxen (e.g., Aleve). Dr. Matava also recommends icing the tendon for 15 to 20 minutes, two or three times a day, until the pain subsides.

Still hurts? See a physical therapist or certified athletic trainer, says Dr. Matava.

Prevent it: "Cross-training helps relieve stress on the muscles and tendons involved," says Dr. Matava, who encourages incorporating swimming, cycling, and weight training into your workout regimen along with regular tendon testers like running or tennis. Just be sure it doesn't involve the affected area.

Toothache

Understand it: Bacteria-filled plaque that settled on your teeth has been feasting away on sugars and other carbohydrates. The acidic by-products ate away at the tooth enamel; the resulting cavity allowed bacteria to invade the tissues and nerves inside, causing a painful infection.

Stop it: Take a few ibuprofen to help with the pain, and ask your dentist to call in an antibiotic before your appointment if you can't come in right away. "Although the antibiotic won't cure the toothache, it can reduce the infection in the gum and jaw around the tooth, easing pain," says Jerry Gordon, D.M.D, owner of the Dental Comfort Zone in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He recommends rinsing with warm salt water four to six times throughout the day to ease any swelling associated with the infected tooth.

Still hurts? "Once a toothache occurs, the only solution is a root canal or having the tooth pulled," says Dr. Gordon. Too late for a mere filling, your cavity has now reached the pulp inside the tooth.

Prevent it: Limit your intake of high-carbohydrate foods like candy and sugar-frosted cereal. "Every exposure to these foods allows an acid attack on the teeth for about 20 minutes," says Dr. Gordon. If you must drink soda or sugar-filled drinks, he says, sip through a straw to bypass your teeth. To rid your mouth of cavity-causing plaque, brush three times a day, floss, and consider using an oral irrigator, such as the Conair Interplak Dental Water Jet.