Eli5- trapped nerve in shoulder, do painkillers allow us to release the tension from pain?

Question

So why does painkillers allow our muscle to be free flowing? Is it cause when we’re in pain our muscles try to protect itself so it keeps tense? Or does the painkiller heal it a bit

In: 2

Answer 1

>Is it cause when we’re in pain our muscles try to protect itself so it keeps tense?

Exactly. When you injure something, your immune system responds by creating inflammation in that area. It gets red, swollen, hot and hurts. These are defense mechanisms designed to help healing and also prevent you from moving or harming said area further.

Normal OTC pain killers work by reducing this inflammation and hence reducing the pain you feel. They do not however help the biological process of healing the injury.