If you need to take the maximum daily dose for longer than that it may be worth seeing GP to discover what is causing the pain and if anything else will be suitable.
An occasional dosage under the maximum for everyday pain is fine to carry on.
O.K...you can take Ibuprofen on and off for the rest of your life, as from what you have described, it is no big deal.
Who recommended 10 days?
However, as Mamy has suggested, if the pain gets worse, despite Ibuprofen, then after about 3 weeks, then you should see your GP.
Ibuprofen 400mgms every 4 hours if necessary should do the trick.