NSAIDs work by blocking chemicals in the body called prostaglandins.
You can think of prostaglandins as little internal messengers. Some of them are responsible for pain and inflammation — those are the ones NSAIDs are aiming to quieten down.
But prostaglandins don’t just shout about pain. Some of them are more like the gut’s behind-the-scenes support crew.
They help too:
Most over-the-counter NSAIDs don’t really distinguish between these roles. When you block prostaglandins to reduce pain, you also reduce some of that gut protection.
If your gut lining loses some of its protective support, it becomes more vulnerable — a bit like removing the underlay beneath a carpet and hoping no one notices.
Over time, this can show up as:
For many people, these symptoms creep in gradually, so they’re rarely linked back to painkiller use.
Your gut, immune system and nervous system are in constant conversation.
When the gut lining is irritated, inflammatory signals can increase throughout the body. It’s a bit like trying to recover from an injury while a background alarm keeps going off — not dramatic enough to stop everything, but enough to slow things down.
This can mean:
Which is why pain can sometimes linger even when physical treatment is helping.
You don’t need to avoid painkillers altogether, instead you can support the body to mitigate the effects.
A few nutrition-based strategies can make a real difference.
Take NSAIDs with food
This one’s simple but important. Taking painkillers on an empty stomach increases irritation of the gut lining.
Support the gut lining with the right nutrients
The gut lining renews itself constantly and needs the right building blocks to stay resilient.
Use soothing foods when the gut feels irritated
Some foods naturally calm and coat the gut lining. These are often called demulcent foods.
Examples include:
These can be particularly helpful if you notice reflux, nausea or digestive discomfort when using painkillers.
Stretching, mindfulness exercises, and ergonomic adjustments at work are also excellent ways to support your body and prevent recurring issues.
Pain doesn’t exist in isolation.
If the gut lining is irritated, inflammation can hang around longer and recovery can feel slower, even when osteopathic treatment is doing its job.
Supporting gut health alongside physical treatment helps create a calmer internal environment, which often makes healing feel more straightforward.
If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, digestive symptoms, or you’re curious about how nutrition can support recovery alongside osteopathic care, you can email me at kirstylarcombe@futureyounutrition.uk, or you can book a free 20-minute discovery call where we can have a no-obligation chat about how nutritional therapy might help.
If you’ve ever taken ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief, you’re not alone. Anti-inflammatory painkillers — referred to as NSAIDs — are a go-to for many people dealing with everyday aches and pains.
They can be genuinely helpful. But there’s a quieter side effect that often flies under the radar: what they’re doing to your gut.
We’re thrilled you have chosen our clinics to look after you – where your health and well-being are our top priorities. Whether you’re here for ongoing care or visiting us for the first time, our goal is to provide personalized treatment that supports your body’s natural ability to heal and thrive.
We’re thrilled you have chosen our clinics to look after you – where your health and well-being are our top priorities. Whether you’re here for ongoing care or visiting us for the first time, our goal is to provide personalized treatment that supports your body’s natural ability to heal and thrive.
As the nights draw in, it’s cold and dark. Many of us find it a struggle to get going, so we wanted to take a moment to consider our well-being more widely.