The nice thing about anti-inflammatories is that they don't tend to a strong adaptation curve--which is good, as otherwise I'd be completely screwed.

It took me a while to learn when to just go ahead and swallow the effing pill, as well as when to take the anti-inflammatory *before* beginning the activity so as not to do myself further unnecessary damage. It's not even so much the relief of pain (although that's important too) as it is that taking the NSAID speeds healing and/or helps prevent damage in the first place.