Alternatives to Ibuprofen

**Poo-Jitsu** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 2:38pm

sounds like shin splints to me as well. they are really known as a beginners running problem, which seems like it fits the bill.

BY - be careful taking alleve - there is some research out there that shows it hinders the healing process. ibuprofen is better in many cases of injury.

also, take omega 3 capsules, making sure they are fish oil derived, not just flax seed derived. they have serious anti-inflammatory properties and dont upset the stomach as much as ibuprofen - as well as many other benefits.

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 2:54pm

800 mg of ibuprofen is a prescription strength dose.

Regardless whether this amount works for your coach or you in the alleviation of pain symptoms, your coach shouldn't be practicing medicine without a license and you shouldn't be casually taking this amount without at least consulting with a physician about your pain symptoms beforehand.

**Hidama** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 4:22pm

Originally Posted by Tom Kagan

800 mg of ibuprofen is a prescription strength dose.

Regardless whether this amount works for your coach or you in the alleviation of pain symptoms, your coach shouldn't be practicing medicine without a license and you shouldn't be casually taking this amount without at least consulting with a physician about your pain symptoms beforehand.

Totally agree here.... My chiropractor strongly recommends AGAINST taking medicinal anti-inflammatories for this type of thing for more than three days. He cited a study that suggested that longterm use of ibuprofen actually causes deterioration of the joint cartilage hence creating more of the problem you are trying to alleviate.

He had me taking Bromelaine (an enzyme from pineapples) and an Omega 3 supplement for inflammation. You should look at some of the anti inflammation diets that are out there. You could have an underlying food allergy (milk, wheat, etc.) that is causing your whole problem.

Also permanent liver damage is possible with overuse of certain anti-inflammatories.

Be Careful

**billy sol hurok** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 4:42pm

Originally Posted by Tom Kagan

800 mg of ibuprofen is a prescription strength dose.

Yeah, that dosage caught my eye too.

As did the timing: before the workout.

Me, I don't take any pain-masking medications before training. After, yes. But if something's hurting, I want to listen. If it hurts too much to train, then I don't.

It would take something pretty damn important -- say, an important seminar that I'd already paid for, or sumpin' -- for me to override my pain sensors. That would be like having an idiot light come on during a road trip, and putting a piece of tape over it so that I wouldn't be distracted.

Of course, I'm not getting paid, not prepping for a big fight, just trying to stay in shape and have some fun. And I'm an old ****. So most people's mileage will undoubtedly vary from mine.

**Quikfeet509** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 5:01pm

Luan, I am actually not afraid of using NSAIDs occasionally, and 800 mg doesn't seem excessive - but yes, check with your PCP, blah blah blah.

If you have access to linaments, I highly recommend two different ones:

1. Kwan Loong Oil - works great for post-workout pain.
2. Wood Lock Oil - for pain that is sub-acute or chronic.

Always test any linament out on a small area first to determine how your body reacts to it.

**feral** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 5:32pm

Yeah, I'd be careful with that much Ibuprofen or with Aleve, they stress your liver quite a bit, and if your a normal college goer, your probably already stressing your liver with alcohol =)

**Donkey_Fizzle** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 5:59pm

Sound like shin splints, and I have had them in the worst possible situation. I agree that you are training like a machine. The problem is that you aren't a machine. You need more rest. Rest doesn't mean sittin on your ass though. You can still be active just don't be crazy. Any trainer that tells you to take anything to mask pain is an ass. Pain is your bodies first line of defense from serious injury. Masking pain only gives you the false assumption that the cause isn't as serious as it is. Medication, IMO, should be reserved for injuries. By injuries I mean a condition wich has been diagnosed and a appropriat amended training regiment has been applied to facilitate healing. Not take 20 of these and keep going.

**Joe Doggs** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 7:50pm

sounds like shin splints to me as others have stated. FWIW Ibuprofen was prescribed prior to deregulation at 600 mg dosages. 800 seems excessive and I would be watching for gastric problems ie: burning a hole in your stomach. Do the sensible thing and back off training a bit and allow your body to heal

JD

**new2bjj** · Posted On: 3/09/2007 10:49pm

Originally Posted by Luan

Seriously? 3 hours daily is more than professionals?
I'm 23 and the only pain/soreness i'm aware of are in my ankles/lower shin. The rest of my body feels like a million bucks.

But hey, i'm no professional so i'll keep that in mind. I'll go ask the guys at the gym how long is overtraining.

Yeah, 3 hours, especially consecutively, is a long time. There's a guy at my gym that is an undefeated pro and Olympic gold medalist, and he trains hard, but not for 3 hours. Now, he trains everyday, but for 2 hours. that includes warm up, push ups, etc. There's a book, called boxing workouts, that has the training schedules of about 25 pro boxers. I was the same way when I was 23. You'll get stronger if you rest more. That no pain, no gain **** is for guys doing body building, and using Roids, etc. You shouldn't feel gassed and sore everyday.

**Luan** · Posted On: 3/10/2007 9:16am

Thanks for all the advice guys, I value everybody's opinion.

Shin splints sounds like the most logical condition since I've mostly noticed soreness after I started running regularly. Coach told me my target was to be able to run 3 miles 4x a week so... that's what I did haha. To be honest, 3 miles is no problem for my cardio, but I guess my shins just weren't ready for the stress. My shins feel pretty good today (I haven't ran since wednesday) just a hint of soreness when I bounce around on them. So my question is since this is a beginner runner's condition, these shin splints will go away in time if I pace myself and rest (and hopefully not be recurring once I again ramp up intensity)?

And yes, 800mg of Ibuprofen seemed like a high dosage which is why I started this thread in the first place. I knew it would be fine for a few days but wanted to find alternatives since it wasn't my plan to use it for an extended duration. To clarify, I didn't ask coach about how to deal with chronic pains, just told him that my shins felt really beaten up and he mentioned ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory. He probably just thought it was a one-shot deal (didn't expect me to just go busting out 3 miles from the get go hehe).

As for diet, I do try to eat very healthily. I eat a lot of primarily fish and chicken, no beef or pork, lots of vegetables, juice, milk, etc. I also don't really drink either, so my liver should be pretty good hehe. With my high consumption of fish, I think I'd be getting a good amount of omega-3. However I'll still probably go out and get some omega-3 supplements.

Lastly, aside from my shins being sore from running, I don't feel that 3 hours at the gym M-F is overtraining though I appreciate the concern. I'm rarely if ever gassed or sapped for energy. Most likely the pro's that train for those 2 hours have a much higher intensity training regiment than myself. It's not so much a "no pain no gain" mentality for me. I just really enjoy my time in the gym, plus I've never been in better shape in my life. It is a pretty serious gym though the website hasn't been updated in years haha http://www.artofboxing.net/. I'm hoping I'll be ready to fight at Golden Gloves at the end of the month.