As New York City’s iconic marathon was fast approaching, and runners from all corners of the world were rigorously training to conquer this monumental challenge, NY1’s, Anthony Pascale, sat down with Teddy from Morningside Acupuncture to talk about acupuncture for NYC Marathon preparation.

Intense preparation of this type can often strain the body, leading to aches and injuries that could hinder performance. Enter the holistic world of acupuncture, a practice that is not just about the needles but a personalized pathway to pain relief and injury prevention. You can read an excerpt below and watch the full video to hear Teddy shed light on the power of acupuncture, its role in sports, and how it can be a game-changer for marathon runners.

Below Is an Excerpt From the Video

NYC Marathon Preparation with Acupuncture

The New York City Marathon is almost here. Tens of thousands of runners are training for the big day. But that preparation can take a toll on a runner's body. Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for pain relief and injury prevention. Joining me now is Theodore Levarda. He is an acupuncturist, and he's here to talk more about this. Theodore, thanks so much for being here.

What is Acupuncture for Runners?

First of all, for those who don't know exactly what acupuncture is, help us understand.

Sure. Well, thanks for having me. Acupuncture generally is the insertion of acupuncture needles into the body. It can treat a wide range of health conditions, and there are different techniques to treat different types of symptoms.

And people think getting little needles pricked into your body, does it hurt?

The needles going in don't hurt. They're about ten times thinner than a hypodermic needle, and they're not filled with anything. So typically, what people feel is a little bit of pressure as the acupuncturist kind of compresses the skin. And the needle going in doesn't usually feel like much.

All right, but how does it work? How does putting the needle in these different parts of your body actually help?

Yeah, so what's great about acupuncture is there's actually lots of research now over the past several decades. It really works in two ways. One is really what people think of when they hear acupuncture is more Traditional Chinese Medicine style, where your acupuncturist will set needles in different points. And generally, the way that works is it helps calm down your nervous system. So that's how it can help with chronic pain, sleep, anxiety, digestion, fertility. Basically, by calming down your nervous system, you can change a lot of processes in the body. And, then the other way is the needle itself can release muscle tightness, which is what we're doing when we work with runners. And that's more of a physical response. By sticking a needle in a tight spot, it'll have kind of like a spasm reflex, and then it will relax.

So, as runners are getting ready for the marathon, which is coming up soon, you're able to help them in terms of muscle tightness, and other things as well?

Yeah, also stress. I mean, training for a marathon takes a toll on your body. It's several months of training. And as you get into this last month, you're running between 15 and 20 miles every weekend, and it takes a toll. So we can help both physically, but also, recovery wise, with managing stress, anxiety, fatigue around marathon training as well.

Sports Acupuncture

What types of injuries do you see people come in with? Especially runners?

Yeah, especially runners. Usually lower leg overuse injuries. Like, IT Band syndrome, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, Piriformis syndrome, hamstring strains, calf muscle tightness. Just generally overuse issues that come when you run under training for a marathon.

What about the questions about acupuncture in general, there are some who may not believe that it really works. What do you say to those people?

Well, today there's lots of research supporting the use, especially for things like low back pain. There's tons of research. It works differently than other things, so it can seem kind of foreign or new to people, and maybe that's why they're not accepting of it yet.

Talk about some of the success stories that you've had. People have come to you looking for help, have been in tough situations, and how have you helped them?

I just had a great one for the Chicago Marathon, which was, about a month ago. A runner had strained his quad. He came to me two weeks before the race. When you have an injury, it has to heal. But acupuncture can help speed things up by releasing the tightness from the strain, as well as helping circulation back into the muscle. We did two treatments, and he ran, under a three hour marathon. In some ways, I was a little surprised because you never know how fast someone's going to recover from a strain. But he had a great race, and I was really happy to help.

And if someone is interested in maybe taking up acupuncture, and they're looking for a doctor in their area, what is your advice as to how people can find the best person that would do a good job for them?

There's a national board, the NCCAOM. They have a directory of board certified acupuncturists. So that's where you can find someone. There are different techniques within acupuncture. Not everyone's trained in working with athletes, so it's important to find someone that works with athletes and sports acupuncture. There is a sports medicine acupuncture directory that has practitioners that are certified where you can find people that way as well.

All right, well, whether it's overuse from running or all sorts of other things, like you explained, acupuncture could be something that you may want to look into. Ah, Teddy Levarda, thank you so much for your time. And if you'd like more information, you can visit morningsideacupuncturenyc.com. 

Conclusion

In a world where conventional treatments have their limitations, acupuncture stands out as a complementary option, providing evidence-based care that's customized to meet the unique needs of each individual. Whether you're a marathon runner dealing with overuse injuries or someone grappling with chronic pain, sleep issues, or anxiety, acupuncture offers a holistic approach that calms your nervous system and promotes healing. To get the most out acupuncture for runners, it's crucial to find a practitioners with expertise in sports acupuncture, like Morningside Acupuncture. The journey to health and wellness is personal, unique, and ongoing. With acupuncture, you get to be an active participant in that journey, taking steps towards a healthier, more balanced you. So, as you lace up your running shoes for your upcoming marathon, remember that your strength lies not just in your speed but in your holistic well-being. Embrace acupuncture, and let it empower you to run the distance.

Over to you

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