Your Reliable Resource For Musculoskeletal Aches & Pains
All information on this site is provided by experienced, highly regarded health care professionals. Our goal is to provide an unbiased rating based on their interpretation of the best available scientific evidence to help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Here are several ways we can help you make good health care decisions:
- Use our unique RESCU Rating System to evaluate different treatments
- Find a health care practitioner in your area
- Provide information from professional practitioners
- Show your options for treatment
- Suggest products to help relieve your pain
Helping You Make Good Health Care Decisions
Help What Hurts was founded on the premise that when given appropriate and reliable information regarding your condition and pain treatment options, you will make the choices that are right for you.
Wayne M. Whalen, D.C.
Chief Content Officer
Musculoskeletal is More than a 13-Letter Word!
It describes the muscular (muscles) and skeletal (bones) structure of your body that, when not working properly, can lead to back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis …. which is probably why you’re here.
Here’s How We Can Help You: It begins by helping you evaluate different treatments through our unique RESCU Rating System.
The HWH RESCU Rating Scale
The purpose of the RESCU Rating Scale is to combine the best science with your doctor’s experience to provide you with information you can use to decide which treatment is best for you.
Here’s a sample of our unique RESCU Rating System for low back. (Find out more. Click here)
Treatment Options
Evaluated on the RESCU Rating Scale
R = Risk E = Effectiveness S = Self-Care
C = Cost U = Usefulness (overall rating)
1 = Least Favorable 5 = Most Favorable
| R | E | S | C | U | |
| Chiropractic | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Ice/Heat | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Acupuncture | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Cortisone Injection | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| NSAIDs | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| MuscleRelaxants | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| TENS | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Surgery | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| ElectricalStimulation | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Exercise | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Let’s Get Started
Every journey begins with the first step. Identify your area of concern and click on the appropriate condition.
Find a Doctor
Please let our provider know you found them here. They'll appreciate knowing Help What Hurts is working for them!
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