Some strange tips sent in by readers who swear they work. (These were not tested in the Uncle John’s Laboratories.)

About to sneeze?

Push the tip of your tongue upward against the roof of your mouth where the hard palate ends and the soft palate begins (between your back teeth).

Chopping an onion?

Avoid the tears by lighting a candle. The heat will attract (and burn) the sulfide fumes.

Stop the gag reflex

Clenching your thumb in your fist.

Lost your car?

If you have a remote control to unlock the doors, hold it under your chin and press the button that beeps the horn. The shape of your skull intensifies the radio signal. Open your mouth, and the signal will go even farther.

Have a small burn?

Press on the spot with your finger. The best way to avoid blisters is to return the burned spot to its normal temperature quickly. (But it won’t stop the pain.)

Leg fall asleep?

Change the position of your hip to adjust the blood flow to your lower body. End pins and needles in your hands by shaking your head. It loosens the pressure on nerves in your neck.

Keep an injection from hurting

Press on the spot where you’re about to get the needle. By overloading the nerve endings in that area, you deaden the pain.

Getting a shot?

Coughing during the injection will ease the pain by putting pressure on the spinal canal, making it harder for the pain message to reach your brain.

For a toothache

ub some ice on the back of your hand between the thumb and index finger. There’s a nerve cluster there that affects pain sensations in the face and hands.

“Brain freeze”

Occurs when the nerves in the back of your mouth suddenly get very cold, giving you a brief (but strong) headache. A quick way to stop it is to warm the nerve endings by drinking a glass of water (no ice).