Running a marathon requires consistent training coupled with a comprehensive recovery and maintenance program. There’s a wide range of techniques and tools that can help you run a marathon without experiencing common injuries and issues.
Problems like shin splints, hamstring strains, and runner’s knee can derail your marathon goals and prevent you from making progress in your performance.
Acupuncture has now become a popular and effective form of treatment and maintenance for marathon runners.

Understanding Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been an integral part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Its use is widespread and has entered the athletic arena. It was used

extensively during the 2008 Olympics in China to prevent injuries and provide pain relief to competitors. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for promoting optimal wellness, performance, and pain management. Acupuncture provides an alternative to traditional painkillers and physical therapy treatments, which can often have unwanted side effects and fail to prevent injuries from occurring in the future.

Here are the 5 ways acupuncture can help you run a marathon:

1. Pain Relief
Acupuncture is applied by placing needles into various points throughout the body. This stimulates the release of the body’s natural endorphins, which provide long-term relief from pain for marathon runners. Acupuncture works at the root cause of pain while helping to reduce inflammation, optimize joint range of motion, and strengthen the body’s immune system. Traditional pain medications work at the level of the pain symptoms, which can make the issues worse over time by ignoring the actual causes.

2. Injury Prevention and Treatment
Acupuncture treatments help regulate the nervous system and circulation. This is critical to its ability to help prevent and treat common injuries related to running. Balancing the cardiovascular and neurological activity of the body promotes balance (homeostasis). This allows the tissues to function optimally and reduces the risk of damage due to faulty biomechanics or repetitive stress.

3. Acupuncture Enhances Endurance
Neurological regulation also aids in improving endurance. It promotes optimal energy production and transfer, which allows athletes to perform under stress for longer periods of time. Acupuncture works to remove any blocks in energy throughout the different organs including the lungs, digestive system, and liver. This optimizes the body’s ability to metabolize and produce the energy needed to perform long-duration events.

4. Increased Blood Flow to the Tissues
Activation of the acupuncture pressure points increases the level of nitric oxide throughout the body. This increases circulation by opening up and relaxing the blood vessels. As a result, more oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood can be delivered to the tissues of the working muscles and organs. This improves performance by nourishing the tissues and reducing the risk of injury.

5. Faster Recovery Times
Long-distance running requires greater recovery time than less intensive forms of activity. In order to get back out on the road asap after running a marathon, you need to recover quickly.
Regular acupuncture treatments between races reduce the incidence of pain and fatigue. It enhances the recovery process and reduces trauma to the muscles and joints. Acupuncture also improves your quality of sleep, a factor that is critical to improving your performance and rebuilding the muscle tissues. Use Acupuncture as an effective way to help you run faster, prevent injury, and improve your recovery. When paired with a comprehensive training and maintenance routine, it can give you the leading edge you need for your next marathon. Acupuncture for Food Pain