Over the years, drug manufacturers have tried to convince the public that aspirin is a "wonder drug," capable of doing everything from preventing heart attacks to relieving headaches. Lately, most of those claims have been proven to be untrue or greatly exaggerated. (See "Does aspirin prevent heart attacks? Don't believe it!")

The latest research report to focus on aspirin's lack of effectiveness concluded that, contrary to popular belief, aspirin doesn't relieve the common muscle aches caused by exercise and overexertion. In fact, no medication -- including codeine or non-aspirin pain killers like acetaminophen -- do much to help in those situations.

A team of British researchers headed by Dr. Panos Barlas of Coventry University, reporting in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, noted that none of these drugs offer noticeable relief from the soreness people often feel after overtaxing their muscles.

The researchers also tested non-drug therapies as well, including acupuncture and massage, and found that the only real solution was to give the body time to repair itself, by itself.

"I feel (muscle soreness) is a normal adaptation to exercise," Dr. Jason A. Craig told a Reuters reporter after release of the journal article.

SOURCE: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, July 2000.