Typically, it is not a good idea to ingest painkillers before exercising unless you need it in order to perform exercise for arthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions which may prevent you from exercising otherwise. However, this is not a “free pass” for those individuals with these types of conditions; it still presents the same dangers and complications when doing so. Some research points toward taking regular Acetaminophen. If you feel that you must take something before exercising, Acetaminophen (being the lesser of evils in this situation) does not pose the same threat to the digestive tract in the way that NSAIDs do, and may reduce the risk of developing ulcers or other types of internal bleeding. If you feel the need to take painkillers after exercising, you are at a lower risk for developing complications from such, but it is important to make sure that you actually need something to decrease pain and inflammation. Before ingesting such medications, consider alternatives such as herbs, foods, and other nutrients that can help reduce inflammation and pain safely and naturally. Even topical solutions that ease pain and aid in the completion of the inflammation process are a more reasonable and less risky answer than just masking the pain by consuming NSAIDs, ibuprofen, or other pain killing medication.