ibuprofen for muscle soreness?

xprettyreckless

Is it safe to take it every once in a while before my runs if I feel slightly sore?
Or should I just suck it up and run through the soreness?

And yes I do take breaks to rest

smiley13000

.... I can't believe no one replied to this!
Well you know that's what I do
Just make sure your not overworking yourself (that being the cause of soreness).
Take care

Rinkermann

i tend to rest until im ready to go again.

Derpes

It is safe and great - just not on an empty stomach

Cheval13

It''s okay to take one after exercise, but you need to be careful about taking one beforehand, because while you may feel better, you may also miss signs of serious injury... like straining something. My advice is that if you are pretty sore, just try and go out. The pain should abate after five minutes. If it doesn't, maybe a rest day is in order.
Cheers.

joyosplash

I wouldn't go as far as to say it is "safe". It can absolutely cause problems with your GI system and urinary system. The other issue with taking it before a run is that you're more likely to push through pain that you don't know is there. As in, all the warning pain saying "hey, such and such is really injured, not just sore" - you won't be feeling it properly. I do think it's a good move to take it after a run if you're really feeling sore. Just not all day, everyday.

Kasaya20

If it is general soreness from an earlier workout and I know that it will go away in a few days I pop an Ibuprofen before I go run. If however, my muscles are aching amd I know very well running will only aggravate them then I back off and cross train to see how they feel later. Just don't take an anti-inflammatory drug before a run to mask recurring pain.

gil_u

Fight through it if you can. If it is more challenging, it is more rewarding.

Mokey41

If you're sore before a run it will usually loosen up once you warm up. I wouldn't take a pain killer before exercising. Take it after if you need to.

threeonethree

High doses for prolonged periods of time can be bad for your stomach, but every once in awhile is ok! (moms a nurse, thats what she told me awhile back)

BurtHuttz

I've taken a very low dose when I am certain that I'm experiencing only muscle stiffness/inflammation However, I know when I'm doing so that I'm taking a significant risk, and so I'm really cautious about pushing known limits. It's already too easy to overtrain.

dym123

You can also try topical analgesics i.e. bengay, ice hot, etc. I have arthritis in my knees and concerned about taking NSAIDS on a daily basis, so I use topical analgesics for temporary relief.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

My advice is that if you are pretty sore, just try and go out. The pain should abate after five minutes. If it doesn't, maybe a rest day is in order.

I agree with this one. That's what I noticed everytime I hit the weight room and the squat rack with a sore body from the previous session. Just after a few moves, the soreness is gone.

The only time that I take pain relievers is when I have a toothache which I cannot stand even the "tiniest" pain.

Doodlewhopper

Ibuprofen can raise your blood pressure and damage liver & kidneys. Ive been informed you should avoid taking any pain relievers while exercising.

Boston and New York marathons will only pass out one or two doses of Tylenol (supposed to be safer) and when they do they tag the runner so he cant get anymore.

If I have general post workout muscle pain it goes away after I begin warming up. If I continue to have pain or discomfort I pay attention and cut the session short & go home. Listen to your body.

pinkraynedropjacki

Ibuprofen can raise your blood pressure and damage liver & kidneys. Ive been informed you should avoid taking any pain relievers while exercising.

Well then I'm in big trouble cause I take panadine forte 4 times a day, 8 whole doses of 30mg of the stuff just so I can move without pain. I workout like a bugger with it in my system. Been taking them daily for just over 3 years now & not one problem for me. But then it's not Ibuprofen so I don't know... that's like lollies to me that one.

Doodlewhopper

Ibuprofen can raise your blood pressure and damage liver & kidneys. Ive been informed you should avoid taking any pain relievers while exercising.

Well then I'm in big trouble cause I take panadine forte 4 times a day, 8 whole doses of 30mg of the stuff just so I can move without pain. I workout like a bugger with it in my system. Been taking them daily for just over 3 years now & not one problem for me. But then it's not Ibuprofen so I don't know... that's like lollies to me that one.

I just googled panadine and found that it can cause lung, liver & kidney problems. Hope you are having regular physicals.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

Eat a little something before you take it or you risk a serious tummy ache, but other than that, go for it.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

It''s okay to take one after exercise, but you need to be careful about taking one beforehand, because while you may feel better, you may also miss signs of serious injury... like straining something. My advice is that if you are pretty sore, just try and go out. The pain should abate after five minutes. If it doesn't, maybe a rest day is in order.
Cheers.

It's not strong enough to miss signs of injury. If OP was talking about morphine or ketamine, yeah she could definitely get injured w/o noticing it, but a measly OTC NSAID, nah.

Derpes

It''s okay to take one after exercise, but you need to be careful about taking one beforehand, because while you may feel better, you may also miss signs of serious injury... like straining something. My advice is that if you are pretty sore, just try and go out. The pain should abate after five minutes. If it doesn't, maybe a rest day is in order.
Cheers.

It's not strong enough to miss signs of injury. If OP was talking about morphine or ketamine, yeah she could definitely get injured w/o noticing it, but a measly OTC NSAID, nah.

I agree - one or two of any OTC painkiller is practically risk free.

Eye_Of_The_Tiger

I trained for several marathons and halfs and I would take them during a very long run that I needed to push through. Otherwise I wouls take it afterwards especially for joint pain.

jimmmer

Unless you're actually injured? Then no.

A little bit of DOMS won't kill you. If it's really bad go for a light walk, that'll sort it out. If it's not really bad, then go for a light run, that'll sort it out.

Why reach immediately for the pill bottle?

lrobi400

I would skip meds for muscle pain and use the topical treatments such as icy hot or bengay. Tough it out, stretch it out, rub it out... it'll go away. I would only suggest using meds for debilitating joint pain. This is coming from a person with 2 crooked knee caps and 2 herniated discs that doesn't take medicine at all.

Shock_Wave

Is it safe to take it every once in a while before my runs if I feel slightly sore?
Or should I just suck it up and run through the soreness?

And yes I do take breaks to rest

For drugs and medical questions go ask a real doctor & not random opinions from folks on the interwebz....:drinker:

Matt_Wild

Do not use if trying to build muscle

"A study published in 2001 by exercise physiologist William J. Evans of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and his colleagues showed that both ibuprofen and, to the researchers' surprise, acetaminophen (Tylenol) blocked new muscle synthesis after intense weight training exercise.

Evans' group studied 24 men in their 20s and divided them into three groups -- one that got ibuprofen, one that got acetaminophen and one that got a dummy drug -- after a weight workout of the legs that brought the subject to the point of exhaustion. The researchers also took muscle biopsies -- small samples of muscle tissue -- before and after the exercise, and did numerous other tests.

They found that both ibuprofen and acetaminophen suppress the body's normal response to muscle damage (and thus repair) after exercise."

plus

http://www.kinemed.com/files/Effect_of_Ibuprofen_and.pdf

plus

"Muscle infammation is essential to eliciting various adaptations within the muscle. No imflammation, no adaptations. Here's some research as I'm sure some people will disagree. I can supply plenty more if needed. It deals with antioxidants, though their anti-inflammatory action can be compared to pain killers.


Radical species in inflammation and overtraining. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 76(5): 533?538 (1998)

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species can be important in the initiation of exercise-induced muscle damage and in the initiation and propagation of the subsequent acute muscle inflammatory response. Oxygen radicals generated via the neutrophil respiratory burst are vital in clearing away muscle tissue that has been damaged by exercise and they may also be responsible for propagation of further damage. Intervention by antioxidants to limit the postexercise inflammatory response and its potential to impair optimal muscle function are of interest to serious and recreational sports participants. Although antioxidants have the potential to limit muscle oxidative stress during the postexercise period, direct evidence for their role in this is limited. It is likely that short-term training can protect muscle from subsequent exercise-induced damage and inflammation without necessarily improving muscle antioxidant status. Although muscle antioxidant status may be enhanced by longer term training, diet, or antioxidant administration, the significance of antioxidants in limiting muscle damage during the acute inflammatory response needs to be more clearly defined. It may even be counterproductive to limit neutrophil function during the inflammatory response, since this may inhibit subsequent muscle repair."

trixiemou

I am sorry but on this I would say a big NO! :noway: Why would you want to, its a drug that should be used correctly and not just because you feel you might be a bit sore! have a had bath, look into aromatherapy oils to put into the bath, a much more pleasurable experience than pill popping.

sijomial

Ibuprofen is an anti inflamatory (NSAID) not a pain killer.

chrishgt4

Ibuprofen isn't great because it blocks both the COX 1 and COX 2 enzymes.

COX 2 enzymes are largely responsible for the inflamation and swelling but COX 1 enzymes aid in muscle recovery, so in blocking those it is a detriment to your recovery.

I have read that Celebrex and Vioxx only block the COX 2 enzyme so would be better choices.

sarahlouise7

What really really helps me with sore muscles is

- ensuring that i warm up properly before a work out, stretch and cool down properly after a work out, i dont mean a quick 2 min stretches, but stretches for each muscle group and done several times over, takes about 10-20 min but after a hard work out, its actually really relaxing and theraputic i think and definately helps me with not having so sore muscles later.

-a hot (but not too hot!) bath with radox bath salts followed by a cold shower, ibuprofen (only if very tender! as its an anti inflammatary and can help! but taken occasionally ) and a good sleep! Sleep and rest is so important. I look forward to all this so much after intense workouts and after my PT sessions! I also found that rubbing the muscles made them worse, so i dont do that but its natural to rub something thats hurting so difficult to not do!! HTH

neverstray

Ibuprofen can raise your blood pressure and damage liver & kidneys. Ive been informed you should avoid taking any pain relievers while exercising.

Well then I'm in big trouble cause I take panadine forte 4 times a day, 8 whole doses of 30mg of the stuff just so I can move without pain. I workout like a bugger with it in my system. Been taking them daily for just over 3 years now & not one problem for me. But then it's not Ibuprofen so I don't know... that's like lollies to me that one.

Wow. This is insane.

Is there some reason you take so much?

3dogsrunning

I avoid it for two reasons - One was on the advice of a trusted friend who is an avid runner (and cyclist and swimmer) and also a doctor who explained the possible negative side effects of using an NSAID pre-workout. He does not recommend it pre-workout and suggests avoiding it post workout unless really necessary.
The other was for the reason Matt_wild posted.

Brian_VA

Ibuprofen is an anti inflamatory (NSAID) not a pain killer.

To answer the OP, if you are feeling sore enough that you can't run without a pain killer, I'd suggest an extra rest day. The key to running is to avoid injury, and when you run when you are hurting you are definitely setting yourself up for injury.

Ibuprofen is a pain reliever when used at lower dosage. To get its anti inflammatory affects you need to take a higher dosage consistenly for a at least a couple days. Talk to your doctor or PT to find out how much and for how long. This is for an injury like tendonitis or nerve impingement, not for generalized soreness.