What is the problem with taking Ibuprofen regularly

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I have mild sciatica. Osteopath says I should continue to exercise, that rest won't help and might make it worse.

I'm generally fine going about my daily business, unless I sit too long, but I'm an endurance runner and long runs become quite uncomfortable. A couple of ibuprofen before I set off and all is well.

I know you're not supposed to do it, but why? I'm only talking about maybe twice or three times a week, six tablets in total. What are the risks?

Well it depends on your general health. But assuming you're generally fit and well then probably at that level the risks are small and outweighed by the benefits for your physical and mental health that you get from running. Usually we would worry about irritation of your stomach lining (causing gastritis or ulcers) and/or problems with your kidneys and your blood pressure. It may also interact with other medications you are on. So if you have any doubts you should check with your GP.

You can get stomach ulceration

@Prestissimo has laid out the main points. Also there is a growing school of thought that anti inflammatories for acute pain can lead to long term pain. The reason being that inflammation is our bodies way of mending a damaged site and anti inflammatories stop this natural response. For chronic pain they have been shown not to work. Better to try and resolve why you have the pain. Sciatica usually requires extra stretching daily esp of hamstrings and ilotibial band especially before exercise, core strengthening (Pilates usually good) and osteopathy or acupuncture can help.
If you are taking ibuprofen eat before you take them to help protect your stomach lining.

The issues can be masking pain and alloowing you to run through it, it reduces inflammation which can slow healing. If you are doing very long endurance events it can cause kidney failure, especially if combined with being dehydrated. Its is not generally advisable to use on a regular basis. I have done a lot of ultra distance running and avoid it. I have used an occasional paracetamol towards the end of a long race but if I was training I would just stop running if the pain was such I needed pain killers.

It’s harsh on your stomach. When I had recurring mastitis I was actually given Lanzoprazole for this reason.

Yes I know and I am usually very much a rest until it stops hurting kind of person, but the osteopath has specifically advised against that this time.

It's an NSAID - Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug. Good for muscles, not for nerve impingement.

I had kidney cancer as a young woman when it's seen as an old man's disease. I had none of the risk factors (I was a non-smoker, healthy weight, healthy diet, never worked with asbestos). No one knew why I got it. I did some research and ibuprofen is linked to kidney cancer (it's metabolised by the kidney unlike other painkillers). It was my painkiller of choice and I'd take it frequently - headaches, period pains, colds etc. I'm pretty sure it contributed to my cancer. I won't touch it now.

Yes, I have always avoided it. Paracetamol for period pain, very rarely anything at all for a headache, but ibuprofen does seem more effective for this.

I used to take ibuprofen reasonably often for headaches. I now have very bad acid reflux and have to take omeprazole every day. I didn't make the connection at the time but now I think the ibuprofen probably caused it, it's a well known side effect if you take it long term. Definitely wish I'd been more restrained with it now

At 6 tablets per week I think there's very minimal risk, if any. The main risk is gastritis but that happens generally when people are taking an NSAID every day.

That’s interesting as I have inflammatory arthritis and nearly everyone I know with this (support group) are on long term anti-inflammatory meds. Not ibuprofen given but if they don’t work why is standard protocol? If I shouldn’t be on them I want to stop.