A Whole Lot of Pill Popping Goin’ On!

Over the next few weekends runners will be getting in their last long runs before the marathon.   It is times like these that I wish I had stock in Wyeth, the pharmaceutical giant company that makes Advil.

I have been amazed by the amount of people who have told me that they use NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammmatories), such as Aspirin (Bufferin, Bayer, Excedrin) Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), and Naproxen (Aleve) before, and/or during their long runs or races.

Reasons that they take “Vitamin I” (as it has become affectionately known as in the running community)?

Some say to prevent any “uncomfortableness” that they may encounter during their long run or race (Is there really such a thing?).  More disturbingly, however, is that others have told me it is so that they can get through their runs with less pain.  As a physical therapist, this concerns me.  I have always been a firm believer in the idea that your body expresses pain as a warning sign.  It is meant to tell you that you should be doing less, not more, miles!!  Perhaps if you are having enough pain during your runs that it warrants the use of drugs, it is time to see your doctor or PT.

I think that now may be a good time to revisit the NY Times article that stirred up a lot of discussion amongst athletes last year.