How often do you take OTC pain meds?

WhatMeRunning

I recently had an interesting experience where a general practitioner recommended using an NSAID, while a sports medicine doctor said just to rest it and avoid the painkiller/anti-inflammatory.

My general rule is I don't medicate unless it would clearly provide worthy benefit. In that case I did not have any reason to believe a painkiller/anti-inflammatory would speed up the healing process (which was what I was looking to do), so I did not take any.

jchite84

I try to stay away from them, because I don't want to become reliant. But, I occasionally succumb to an Aleve for some tendonitis that flares up in my foot. *Edit - Maybe 2 per month during my longer running months. Generally I try to keep up with post run stretching and foam rolling for most of my aches and pains, which are primarily muscle and tendon related.