Are pain pills more harmful after exercise?

Your high dose NSAID could be shrinking your Muscles!

Twice a week Weight Training is recommended by the CDC for increasing muscle mass. For years I managed once a week with my pilates coach and twice weekly strolls. I stroll at a snails pace to prevent my shin splints from flaring up, so I cant seriously consider it walking.

The CDC recommends to add weight lifting to your exercise routine, especially as we mature, to counteract the bone and muscle loss that happens through our normal process of aging. Last year I finally added in regular circuit training and yoga.

Of course, I've over done it at times. Like the time I tweaked my neck doing a supported headstand or throwing off my back with too much weight on the shoulder press machine. OUCH.  It was not unusual for me to take a pain reliever after a workout to reduce the inflammation and pain. I found prescription Ibuprofen at bedtime to work wonders.

Then I read that taking those NSAIDs could be shrinking my muscles. That got me worried.

What is an NSAID?

What is an NSAID? It is the abbreviation used for Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. Commonly known examples are Ibuprofen, Aspirin and Naproxen.

How does an NSAID work on pain?

They work by blocking Cox1 and Cox2 enzymes so your body doesn't make as many Prostaglandins; which are a group of fatty acid compounds made at the site of tissue damage and controls the process of inflammation, blood flow and formation of blood clots, which reduces inflammation.

Basically NSAID = less swelling, less inflammation and less pain.

So whats the problem with taking NSAIDS?

Here is the kicker:

The inflammation is part of the process needed to increase muscle mass. 

Therefore regularly taking an NSAID drugs interferes with the inflammation which can slow down the muscle regeneration. So taking these NSAIDs after my workout may have reduced the muscle growth I was trying to build.

Is it better to take the NSAID before my workout?

When I first tried an exercise boot camp I was concerned about my shin splints which made a brisk walk a challenge so forget about running. The trainer Linda told me it would be fine if I just wrap my shins and take an Aleve before I got to boot camp.

Did it help? Absolutely NOT! My shins still seized after 60 seconds of a gentle run. The boot camp trainers were stumped and had no other options. So I spent much of that boot camp just limping.

It turns out that taking an NSAID before a workout may be harmful because you can over-strain your muscles and not even realize til its too late and you've caused muscle damage. It is not 

Can I never take an NSAID if I am in pain after a workout?

After reviewing various online articles, it appears that there is NOT any muscle shrinking or damage happening with an OCCASIONAL, as needed, use of NSAIDs. So thankfully my Ibuprofen can still be my I've-overdone-my-workout med. Since I have gotten to know my exercise limits better I haven't needed pain-relievers but it is good to know it's still available me.

What is the final outcome of my research into NSAID and Exercise?

1. Do NOT take an NSAID before you workout as you can cause yourself more damage.
2. Short term, occasional, use of NSAIDS are fine. Use only as needed.
3. Do not take the Long-term High Doses of NSAIDS as this may lead to a negative impact on muscle growth; ie: shrinking those muscles you are trying to build. 

Exercise is also good for your skin, so while we struggle through our workouts we are giving our skin a healthy dose of oxygen. 

What is your favorite type of exercise? What would you recommend I try next?

Michelle G. Lathe

PS: I did manage to walk a marathon but the trick turned out to be to start out slowly. So slowly that the senior ladies in walkers were zipping past me. But after 45 minutes of gentle walking my shins warmed up enough that I was able to complete a modified full marathon. No NSAIDS needed, just lots of water and post-race sleep.


Image credit: © Darren Hester for