TENS device or a sports massager: They stimulate muscles via small electrical pulses. They can be had for $20-$30.00 at your local drug stores and have a lot of uses from easing cramps to uses with muscle aches and pains. I know I've used them for my CIDP charlie horse I get in my hands and feet to relieving back pain. Others tell me they work great for Fybromalagia pain.

Heating pads: Buy the moist ones same as above at reliving minor pain. Buckwheat sewed in a flannel bag. Easily heated in a microwave and forms around the joint or muscle, reusable.

Cold packs: Make your own 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 2/3 water in a seal-able bag and tossed in the freezer. Works just like an ice pack.

Vick's vapor rub or equivalent: At 5% menthol you get the same active ingredient of muscle rubs but at a lower cost. As folks shift to more physical labor this will be helpful to ease the aches.

The new Blood pressure monitors are very cheap and monitor heat rate as well.

I don't expect we will be able to replace properly trained medical personnel, but we can do a lot more than just dial 911 and wait.