Pain relievers are considered by many athletes and physically active individuals as an essential tool for treating muscle pain induced by intense physical activities. These drugs help alleviate pain that are brought by strains, sprains, muscle spasms, and other muscle injuries. These conditions may result in pain, stiffness, and other muscle discomfort that may hamper one’s performance. Medicines for pain relief like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work by reducing pain, fever, and inflammation. The most prominent NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These drugs do not heal injuries, they only help ease the pain and discomfort caused by several muscle conditions.
Though the use of pain relievers are not prohibited and are encouraged by many health professionals, the safety of these drugs are questioned by other health professionals. Side effects of pain relievers cannot be avoided and may vary from one person to another. However, for some people, NSAIDs like aspirin may cause serious side effects