How do painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin reduce inflammatory pain?

Answer: They reduce production of chemicals that make pain nerves more sensitive

They keep pain signals from reaching the brain by putting it to sleep — These drugs do not require sleep or unconsciousness to relieve pain. They reduce inflammatory pain while the person remains awake and can still feel touch.

They numb the painful area by blocking nerve conduction — Ibuprofen and aspirin do not numb an area by blocking nerve conduction. Local anesthetics work that way, while these drugs reduce chemicals that heighten pain sensitivity.

They reduce production of chemicals that make pain nerves more sensitive ✓ — Ibuprofen and aspirin inhibit enzymes called COX, reducing production of prostaglandins that sensitize nerves to pain. This helps explain their effects on inflammatory pain and swelling; other classes of painkillers can work differently.