The cooler weather is coming in, the wind is picking up and the leaves are starting to change colors. That can really mean only one thing: It’s Marathon Time! The New York City Marathon established in 1970 is the largest marathon in the world with just under 53,000 finishers in 2018. Since 2006, with the establishment of The World Marathon Majors, The New York City Marathon is one of seven Marathon Majors. This distinction is shared with the marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago, and either the World or Olympic Marathon.
Locally, even before the New York City Marathon runs on November 3rd, the Suffolk County Marathon will be held at Heckscher State Park in East Islip on October 27th.
Marathon Runners are some of the most fit athletes in the sports world, but the very nature of the sport can be rough on a runner’s body, especially the knees which just take a constant pounding and the hips, which may be out of position for different reasons. Runners are also prone to muscle and tendon injures through the legs, ankles, and feet.
Acupuncture is growing in popularity with runners with proven results and the fact that acupuncture is so mobile with acupuncture tents becoming a common fixture at the finish line of so many races.
For most people, their entry into world of acupuncture is through an injury. Clinical studies have show time and again that acupuncture administered by a Licensed Practitioner increases blood flow throughout the body. With the healing and growth factors found in your blood, increased blood flow improves both healing after an injury and recovery after an intense workout or 26.2-mile run. Acupuncture is especially helpful as it pertains to tendons and ligaments, as these parts of the body do not have the same amount of direct blood flow as muscles.
As athletes are being treated for the injuries and stress related to running and other physical competitions, we are always hear from patients that they are receiving additional benefits from their acupuncture treatments.
These additional benefits include improved sleep, an increased ability to deal with anxiety, as well as both emotional and physical stress. All of which help them bring a better performance to training and competition.
The word “marathon” comes from the legend of the Greek messenger named Pheidippides who, in 490BCE ran from the city of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 26 miles, to inform his countrymen that the Greeks were victorious against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.
If acupuncture, already being utilized in the far east by this point, had made it to Greece, there is no doubt that Pheidippides would have taken advantage, as his run didn’t end well for him.
If you are a long distance runner, don’t wait for the injury that usually brings people in to learn about acupuncture. Adding acupuncture to your regular routine can help you to both bring a better performance to the road and help you to avoid the injuries that are so common to runners. Call Joseph to discuss how this centuries old practice can help you in the modern times as you compete in a centuries old run.
Bring your own words of victory to the finish line.
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