Comprehensive Athletic Training Education and Certification Practice Test

When treating acute soft tissue injuries, reducing both pain and swelling is important, and NSAIDs do this by blocking cyclooxygenase enzymes that produce prostaglandins driving inflammation. Ibuprofen is commonly used because it provides effective anti-inflammatory relief along with analgesia, and it’s readily available over the counter. Its dosing is flexible for short-term use, and it generally offers a good balance of strength and tolerability for acute injuries.

Acetaminophen can relieve pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation, so it doesn’t address swelling. Aspirin has anti-inflammatory effects but carries a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects and bleeding, making it less ideal for acute soft tissue injuries. Naproxen also reduces inflammation, but ibuprofen is often preferred for its rapid onset and widespread use in acute care settings.