From Arnold’s Pump Club
Pain Relief Or Just A Pain? |
If you pop pain pills to help with muscle soreness, it might be time to find a new solution. |
Research suggests taking painkillers might slow your recovery and could cause kidney problems. |
The scientists compared marathon runners who took anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen) with those who used a placebo. Those taking the pain relievers saw a 20 percent increase in creatinine levels (not to be confused with creatine), which is a sign of kidney injury. The people who took the drugs also had more serious injuries. |
The reason for the slowed recovery is that pain pills focus on treating symptoms, not the causes of your soreness. In particular, NSAIDs (the anti-inflammatory medicine) work by reducing inflammation and pain, but that comes with a cost. By taking the edge off your discomfort, pain relievers shut down your body’s production of the chemicals (prostaglandins) that improve blood flow and allow your muscles to recover. |
This doesn’t mean that any amount of pain relievers is problematic, but it does suggest that taking too much, too often, could not only have the opposite effect but could also lead to other health issues. |
If you’re looking for a soreness solution, research suggests that more sleep, hydration, and protein help you recover faster. And, as much as it might seem contradictory, more movement can assist, too. Low-intensity exercise — such as walking — promotes blood flow and helps you bounce back faster and feel better. |
