Interesting discussion...
Just to go back to what I said originally...
I recently had a long lunch with a number of people who were discussing it. 2 physicians, 1 physical therapist, and one orthopod (the wife is in the medical field so I often find myself being virtually dissected by friends as I'm often a walking injury-fest). So yet again I was the topic of conversation. They got much into the same discussion about NSAIDs but they were pretty clear there isn't a "absolutely don't" vs. "absolutely do" issue here. So I asked the question "well, say I take a slightly odd fall on my shoulder (something I've done before) and get up the next day sore and stiff. They had no problem there with a day or two of NSAID's in that sort of situation. The idea here is to help assist the ice, rest, etc. in getting the swelling down to help out with the initial healing process and for the more relevant (it seemed to me) reason that they reduce discomfort. If in a few days it wasn't getting better, well, stop the NSAID's anyway as they are of diminishing value (to the point of possibly hindering eventually). Then it's off to see the doctor to see if there was a more significant injury. Their concern appeared to be that they didn't want me taking them all the time as a matter of course even if I have chronic problems (which I do). But they also felt that they can serve a useful purpose when taken appropriately.
Not trying to influence anyone one direction or the other -- I'm just a dumb sword polisher with an expensive Liberal Arts education (sorry, mom and dad). Just passing along a recent conversation. And being anecdotal and second hand knowledge and all that it won't hold up in a formal debate, so there you go...
