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I get this question all the time in the office:
“Should I take ibuprofen to help this heal faster?”
I get why people ask it. You’re in pain, you want it gone, and if something makes it feel better… it must be helping, right?
But that’s not the case when it comes to NSAIDs.
What’s actually happening when you get hurt
When something gets irritated or injured, your body starts the inflammatory process.
I know the word “inflammation” gets a bad reputation, but it’s not the enemy.
It’s actually how your body:
Sends blood flow to the area
Clears out damaged tissue
Starts building new tissue
It’s basically your body saying, “Alright, let’s fix this.”
What NSAIDs do
Things like ibuprofen or naproxen are designed to:
Turn down inflammation
Reduce swelling
Decrease pain
That’s why they make you feel better quickly, but that’s not always the best thing for the injury.
Here’s the part most people don’t realize
When you turn down inflammation, you’re also turning down part of the healing process.
That same process that causes swelling and pain is also what helps your body rebuild.
So when people say, “I want to heal faster, should I take NSAIDs?”
They’re usually surprised when I tell them:
They don’t really speed healing up and may actually do the opposite.
Research shows the tissues that heal while using NSAIDs aren’t as strong or well organized.
Side Effects
Not only do NSAIDs not help with healing, but they can also cause other issues that people generally aren’t aware of.
If you take NSAIDs here and there, you’re probably fine.
The issues I’m talking about tend to show up with more regular use, but things like:
Stomach irritation or bleeding
Stress on your kidneys or liver
Are more common than you think with NSAID use.
So what do I tell my patients?
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-NSAID.
I just want you to use them on purpose.
They can make sense if:
Pain is high enough that you can’t function
You need short-term relief to get through the day
It’s affecting your sleep
You don’t use them chronically
But they’re not fixing the problem.
They’re just helping you tolerate it.
What actually helps you heal
So if you want to actually improve how your body heals, there’s 1 main thing to focus on.
Movement.
You don’t need to push through pain or do crazy workouts, but moving the joint through all of it’s ranges of motion as often as possible is the absolute best thing you can do.
When you do that:
You tell the new tissue what it needs to be able to do
You help move swelling/waste products out of the area
You keep things from getting stiff and guarded
You often reduce pain naturally
The simplest rule I give people
Move as much as you can…without pain.
That’s usually the sweet spot.
If you do too little, things get tight and slow down.
If you do too much, you irritate it and take a step back.
We’re just trying to live in the middle.
The way I want you thinking about this
If something helps the pain, that’s great.
Just don’t assume it’s helping you heal faster.
Your body already knows how to do that. Just give it more of what it needs.
I hope this helps. As always, I’m here if you have any questions.
See you next week,
Dr. Matt Moreno, D.C., C.C.S.P.®
The Move More Minute
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, chiropractor, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new exercise program.
The exercises and suggestions provided are general recommendations and may not be suitable for everyone. If you experience pain, discomfort, or any concerning symptoms while performing these exercises (such as numbness, dizziness, or increased pain), stop immediately and consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this newsletter. The author, Move More Minute, and its affiliates assume no responsibility for injuries or issues that may arise from following the recommendations provided. By engaging with this content, you agree to do so at your own risk.
For personalized care or specific advice, please schedule an appointment with a qualified professional.
