Real answers about your symptoms, written the way I explain things in the exam room — plain language, honest options, and a path forward. No alarm, no jargon.
The way patients describe it. The way medicine explains it.
Each card below opens the way a conversation in my office does — starting with what you feel, moving to what's happening, and ending with what we can do about it.
Conditions covered
200+
in our full reference
Common Symptoms
- Stiffness worse in the first 30 minutes
- Aching that eases with movement
- Occasional radiating sensation down the leg
- Difficulty bending forward
Treatment Paths
Conservative first
Targeted stretching, posture coaching, NSAIDs for 5–7 days
Physical therapy
Referral if symptoms persist beyond 4–6 weeks
Imaging if needed
X-ray or MRI only when red flags appear or conservative care fails
When to seek urgent care
Numbness, weakness in the legs, or loss of bladder/bowel control — call us same day.
What your first visit looks like
We'll talk through your posture, work habits, and activity level. I'll do a quick physical exam and we'll build a plan — usually stretches, activity modifications, and sometimes a short course of anti-inflammatories.
Common Symptoms
- Flat or raised red spots
- Appears with or after a mild fever
- Itching varies widely
- May spread head-to-toe over 24–48 hrs
Treatment Paths
Watch and wait
Viral rashes typically resolve in 3–7 days without treatment
Topical relief
Hydrocortisone or antihistamine for itching and inflammation
Allergy workup
If rashes recur, we test for contact allergens or food triggers
When to seek urgent care
A rash that doesn't blanch when you press it (press test), difficulty breathing, or swelling of lips/face — go to the ER immediately.
What your first visit looks like
Bring a photo if the rash changes before your appointment. I'll look at the pattern, ask about recent illnesses and new exposures, and usually we'll know the cause within minutes.
Common Symptoms
- Aching front of knee going downstairs or squatting
- Stiffness after sitting for long periods
- Occasional clicking or grinding sensation
- Swelling after activity
Treatment Paths
Strengthening first
Quad and hip strengthening reduces patellofemoral load by 30–40%
Injection therapy
Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid for moderate osteoarthritis
Orthopaedic referral
For structural damage or when conservative care plateaus after 3 months
When to seek urgent care
Sudden severe swelling, locking of the joint, or inability to bear weight after a fall or twist — come in that day.
What your first visit looks like
I'll watch you walk, assess range of motion, and check the joint. We'll discuss activity level and weight, and I'll explain what the anatomy is doing. X-ray is often helpful here.
Common Symptoms
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Racing thoughts at bedtime
- Muscle tension, especially neck and jaw
- Daytime fatigue and difficulty concentrating
Treatment Paths
Sleep hygiene + CBT-I
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia outperforms sleep medication long-term
Short-term medication
Non-habit-forming options to break the cycle while building better habits
Therapy referral
We have trusted therapists in our referral network for ongoing anxiety support
When to seek urgent care
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest ER. For everything else, let's talk.
What your first visit looks like
No judgment, no rush. We'll go through what's happening in your life, rule out physical causes (thyroid, iron, sleep apnea), and map out a plan that might include lifestyle changes, therapy referral, or medication — your choice.
Common Symptoms
- Usually no symptoms at all
- Occasional headache (not a reliable sign)
- Discovered incidentally on screening
- Sometimes dizziness or visual changes at very high levels
Treatment Paths
Lifestyle first
DASH diet, sodium reduction, and 150 min/week exercise can lower BP by 5–10 mmHg
First-line medication
ACE inhibitors or thiazide diuretics — effective, affordable, well-tolerated
Monitoring plan
Home BP log + quarterly check-ins to titrate and adjust
When to seek urgent care
BP above 180/120 with headache, chest pain, or vision changes is a hypertensive urgency — go to the ER.
What your first visit looks like
We'll take multiple readings, review your diet and family history, and check your kidney function and cholesterol. Most people with Stage 1 hypertension start with lifestyle changes before medication.
Common Symptoms
- Burning sensation rising from chest to throat
- Worse lying down or after large meals
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Chronic cough or hoarseness (less obvious sign)
Treatment Paths
Lifestyle + timing
Elevation of head, no food 3 hrs before bed, identifying trigger foods
Proton pump inhibitors
Highly effective short-term; we aim to use the lowest dose for the shortest time
GI referral
Endoscopy if symptoms persist, age over 50, or alarm features are present
When to seek urgent care
Difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, or vomiting blood — these need same-week evaluation.
What your first visit looks like
We'll go over your meal patterns, triggers, and current medications. Most cases are managed without a scope — but I'll tell you honestly when you need one.
Looking for a condition not listed here?
Ask during your first visit — I've likely seen itA path forward, not a prescription pad.
Treatment at Remedy starts with understanding before it starts with prescribing. Here's how we think through your care.
We start with the least invasive path that actually works.
Every treatment decision is a conversation. I explain the options, the evidence behind each, and what I'd recommend for you specifically — not the average patient.
87%
resolved without specialist referral
< 3 days
average wait for an appointment
“I still draw diagrams on paper. It's the fastest way to make something click.”
— Dr. Lena Marsh
How we choose your treatment path
24yrs
in practice
4,800+
active patients
98%
would recommend
0
referral required
When I refer you to a specialist, I tell you exactly why.
Referrals happen when a condition genuinely needs specialist expertise — not as a default. You leave with a clear explanation, a warm handoff, and my contact info if questions come up.
Dr. Lena Marsh
MD, FAAFP · Family Medicine · Est. 2002
“Medicine works best when it's a conversation, not a transaction. My job is to give you enough understanding that you can make decisions with confidence — not just follow instructions.”
24+
Years in practice
4,800+
Active patients
200+
Conditions treated
Patient voices
From the people who know this practice best.
Dr. Marsh explained my daughter's eczema in a way that finally made sense. She drew a diagram of the skin barrier on a notepad. My daughter still has it on her wall.
Patricia Holloway
Mother of two, patient for 6 years
I came in convinced I needed an MRI for my back. She spent 20 minutes with me, did a physical exam, and told me exactly what was happening and why I didn't need one yet. First doctor who ever talked me out of an unnecessary test.
Marcus J. Reyes
Retired engineer, patient for 3 years
I moved here from Seattle and dreaded starting over with a new doctor. Within two appointments I felt like she'd known me for years. The online condition library helped me prepare for our first visit — I came in with better questions.
Anika Patel
Software designer, patient for 2 years
Book Your First Visit
New patients are welcome. Most appointments available within 3 days. We'll confirm your slot by email within 2 hours.
What your first visit looks like
45 minutes, not 10
New patient appointments are never rushed. We have time to actually talk.
Bring your questions
There's no such thing as a dumb question in this office. Write them down.
Medication list welcome
If you take anything — prescriptions, supplements, OTC — bring the bottles.
Prior records helpful
We can request records too, but anything you have speeds things up.
Download the Symptom Guide
Free PDF · 24 common conditions explained
Not ready to book? Take the reference guide home. It covers 24 common conditions with plain-language explanations and a checklist of questions to ask your doctor.
Location
2840 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone
(415) 555-0172
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat 9am–1pm
Parking
Street parking on Clement + Geary