Top Anti-Inflammatory Meds CAUSE Inflammation. Here’s What to Do Instead
So you have a headache or tweaked your ankle and you don't have time to rest plus don't want to hurt so grab an Ibuprofen. Pretty soon you're feeling better. No harm done right?
Not so fast! Let's check out the actual action of an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and see what's really happening in your body that makes the pain go away.
In this post, I'm sharing what the research says about NSAIDs, why it matters, and what to do instead:
How NSAIDs Actually Work
The So-Called Side Effects of NSAIDs
What the Body Does to Deal With Pain & Inflammation
5 Tried and True Ways to Support the Healing Process to Naturally Reduce Pain and Inflammation
Final Thoughts on NSAIDs, aka Anti-Inflammatory Meds
So if you typically reach for NSAIDs, aka anti-inflammatories, for headaches, injuries, or period pain, you might want to read this first to see if it’s really worth it, or if there are some even better ways to not only relieve immediate pain, but to encourage deeper healing.
How NSAIDs Actually Work
When you pop an NSAID like Advil or Ibuprofen, the purpose is usually to decrease pain, soreness, and inflammation. In order to do this, the action of the drug is to stop production of prostaglandins. Normally prostaglandins are released in the body to help when there's injury in order to make the blood clot to keep you from bleeding too much. That's a good thing. However, when the body is damaged, and prostaglandins are released, it causes pain. Pain is there to let you know there's damage so you stop doing what you did to cause the damage.
So when you take an NSAID to stop prostaglandin production, it can diminish acute pain. But it also stops the body from being able to heal as efficiently from the inflammation due to injury. Here's why.
"After an injury, the immune system rallies to prevent infection. As part of the body’s inflammatory response, damaged cells begin releasing arachidonic acid, a natural chemical that latches onto cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that helps create compounds necessary for blood flow. Together, they produce what’s called prostaglandin H2 — ibuprofen’s primary target." (from "How Does Ibuprofen Actually Work?")
Ibuprofen isn't selective about where it blocks the production of prostaglandin. The action of blocking prostaglandin production in the body also hinders digestion and other functions...like blood flow. And it's not that it just hinders digestion a little. Since prostaglandins are always present in the gut to help maintain the constant repair of your stomach lining, taking an NSAID can actually cause bleeding, ulcers, and leaky gut - where gut sludge (aka poop) can leak out of the intestines. Which, by the way, is the perfect way to cause infection and whole body inflammation.
That's exactly what happened in this study in which Ibuprofen use has been shown to not only NOT help with things like muscle soreness and damage (in ultramarathoners in this case) but actually ELEVATED endotoxemia (fancy word for bacterial toxins in the blood) and inflammation.
Ummm. So why is it called an anti-inflammatory if it causes inflammation? Obviously it’s talking about immediate and local inflammation relief of an injury or pain but not addressing the long-term, systemic effects from use - even one-time use.
But wait. There's more! (*said in my best infomercial voice)
The So-Called Side Effects of NSAIDs
Prostaglandins (what Ibuprofen blocks) regulate overall blood pressure, including regulating proper pressure in the kidneys so they can properly filter fluids. The change in body fluid pressure (due to prostaglandins being blocked) decreases kidney function. Decreased kidney function leads to increased blood pressure, fluid buildup, dehydration, dizziness, and toxin buildup (because decreased filtration and urination).
Okay, so let's sum up. NSAIDs not only don't reduce inflammation, but they can cause blood pressure, gut, and kidney issues. Plus toxic blood and infection.
And just to be clear, “side effects” aren’t things that may or may not happen once in awhile. This is the actual action or mechanism of the drug so are things that can and will happen. It’s just not what the drug is marketed for. As with all drugs, by the way. The side effects aren’t a “this could happen” kind of thing. It’s not optional. Those are the natural results of the drug. It’s just that the marketed use of the drug is something else, so anything else that happens as well is called a side effect. And in an otherwise healthy body, we don’t always notice the “side effects” because the body does an amazing job at filtering out the toxins, aka meds, we have given it.
But of course that begs the question: What should you use instead of NSAIDs for aches, pains, and injuries? Here are a few of my suggestions.
Prevention First & What the Body Does to Deal With Pain and Inflammation
First, check your habits. If you’re regularly experience aches and pains, lifestyle is the best place to start. For example, if you’re regularly sore after working out, adjust the intensity of the exercise and only do what you can without needing to take something to take the edge off. You’ll build muscle faster if you work just below your threshold rather than pushing through and being sore the next day.
But if something accidental happens like you step in a hole and roll your ankle, jam a finger, bounce off a doorway while trying to keep your crawling baby from falling down the stairs (don't ask), or you get in a car accident, then obviously you can't help it.
So first things first, you need to help the body do what it is trying to do to patch up the damage. Instead of blocking the guys with the bandages (prostaglandins), help them out by putting pressure on the wound - cause that helps stop too much bleeding too.
Another cool thing the body does is it increases blood flow to the damaged area which brings in healing blood cells to repair the area and removes the damaged cells/tissues. It's like a little train system delivering good stuff and hauling out the bad stuff. Because of the extra blood flow to the area, it also causes swelling - which just means the tissues are puffy because of the extra fluids present. Swelling is good because it creates an internal splint - so you don't start using said damaged area while it's still trying to heal.
Now, of course swelling can be pretty painful as well. But remember, it's not the swelling that's the bad guy, it's the actual damage to the body. So getting rid of (normal) swelling isn't going to help the body heal faster...it will just slow it down.
5 Tried and True Ways to Support the Healing Process to Naturally Reduce Pain and Inflammation
There are many ways to support the body’s natural response to injury, pain, and inflammation. Too many for one article. Basically you want to think about what the body is doing to heal, and then use methods that encourage and speed that healing process rather than try to stop the process in the name of “pain relief.” It’s also a mindset shift - realizing that the body is not against you or needing to be stopped from hurting you (which is the rationale for using meds), but rather is trying to save your life. Once you look at the pain response that way, it’s much easier to critically evaluate what methods are good and what methods are actually hindering the healing process.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to not only help relieve immediate pain, but to actually support deeper healing.
Ice Massage - One of my very favorite ways to take the edge off of pain/swelling and help the body heal is by using ice massage. Now, ice by itself - like putting an icepack on for 15+ minutes, will actually slow the healing process by hindering circulation, so that's not my first choice most of the time. Rather, if you use an ice cube and rub it straight on the skin in little circles for about 5 minutes (you'll feel cold, burning, aching, then numb. When it's numb, it's done), it first constricts the blood flow to the area. Then when you briskly rub the area (like with a dry washcloth) to help bring the blood back in and as the tissue warms, the blood quickly rushes in and flushes out the toxins/damaged tissues. Not only does this speed the healing process but it greatly reduces the pain you are feeling as well. You can use this daily at first, but be watchful for skin chapping and back off to every other day or less if there’s irritation. Ice massage is especially useful for a muscle strain, sprain, tendinitis-type injury, nerve pain, etc.
Gentle movement - Swelling generally resolves well once the initial damage has been repaired and you can simply start moving (gently) again to help the body clear the residual debris. Gentle exercise creates a muscle-pump action that helps to resolve the excess fluid and debris in the swollen area. Of course you want to do this without causing more pain, so go very easy and consult a physical therapist for more targeted movement recommendations for you specific problem. (Note: exercise is obviously not intended for serious or acute injury, so please be wise here.)
Cayenne Pepper - If you get a cut, cayenne pepper has fabulous blood clotting action to help stop excess bleeding. It's also anti-bacterial so can help to prevent infection. The odd thing is, even though it's HOT to your taste buds, it doesn't burn when put on a cut. We use it often. It's also great for headaches when taken internally and has even been used similarly to nitroglycerin to stop chest pain due to coronary artery disease as it dilates the blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Turmeric/Curcumin or Ginger - If you want to help your body with inflammation by taking something internally - maybe you just really like taking pills (wink)- turmeric, or curcumin, and ginger are brilliant as anti-inflammatories without the side effects (unless you take too much and get a stomachache. Go easy on it). Turmeric is a super potent natural pain reliever which can be more effective than pain meds without the side effects. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral so really steps in to assist in clearing toxins so the body can heal more effectively.
Omega-3's are fabulous to help cool the inflammation to promote healing. Think of Omegas like the tin man’s oil can. They really help to bathe and soothe ouchy and dry areas so things work more smoothly. They are also great for brain health, memory, heart health, and hormone balance. My very favorite Omegas are these plant-based ones from Juice Plus+. I and my family have personally been using these for years. And my kids love these chewable Omegas from Mary Ruth Organics.
Water. Staying hydrated is key to helping the body deal with inflammation. Many headaches can be resolved from drinking water alone (no NSAID necessary). Take hydration to the next level by eating a crystal of Celtic salt with each glass of water. Move over chemical-laden Gatorade!
Water. Not a typo. This time I’m talking water on the outside of your body. Water is a great therapeutic tool for illness and pain. Have a headache? Try putting your feet and lower legs in hot water (not too hot of course), and a cool washcloth or ice pack on your head (front and back). Amp it up by using Epsom salts in the foot bath to help bring a bit more relaxation to the muscles. Plus drink some water while you do this. And voila! Headache relief without drugs! Water therapy, aka hydrotherapy, is super versatile and inexpensive. It’s our go-to treatment of many ailments.
Of course, depending on what the cause of the pain/damage is will change how you treat it, but these are some great go-to's that we keep in our personal natural "First Aid Kit" plus share with my clients.
Final Thoughts on NSAIDs, aka Anti-Inflammatory Meds
In summary, think twice before you reach for an NSAID because it may take your body longer to recover from it than the actual thing you were taking it for in the first place. Prepare ahead of time to take a more body-supportive approach to help healing when pain/injury arises by keeping ice, cayenne, turmeric, and Omega-3's on hand. And take care of your body preventatively so it will be more able to ward off illness and more quickly recover from injury if/when it occurs.
The real secret to pain relief is having a simple, natural lifestyle that gives the body exactly what it needs to stay healthy anyway. While there are a plethora of natural ways to remedy issues that arise, being proactive with your health is key.
Here's To Your Health!
Note: This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do for pain, injury, or illness. If you’d like to learn more about self-sufficient and natural health, check out some of my favorite health and wellness books in this post.
Referenced Articles:
How Does Ibuprofen Actually Work?
Ibuprofen use, endotoxemia, inflammation, and plasma cytokines during ultramarathon competition
About Angela…
I’m a women’s health coach, writer, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. I’m also a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, and homeschool mom of three living near Chattanooga, TN.
Note: For educational purposes only. Not to take the place of or be taken as medical advice.
*This post may contain affiliate links to some or all of the products listed. While it will not change the cost to you, I may receive compensation if you choose to purchase through my links. Thank you for your support.
