At 8 a.m. on November 3, the 2024 NY Marathon kicks off. People spend months training and preparing. In addition to nutrition, adequate rest, strength training, and flexibility exercises, many of them are integrating chiropractic care into their regimen. How helpful is it, and how can you get the most out of it?
Can a Chiropractor Help You Prepare for a Marathon?
Making regular chiropractic appointments part of your regular training routine has definite performance benefits. In addition to maintaining proper alignment, it also allows issues to be dealt with as they arise during training. Regular chiropractic adjustments allow minor issues or injuries to be dealt with before they get worse. Running-related conditions such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and IT band syndrome can possibly cause you to have to drop out of the race.
Runners World reports many high-profile runners swear by it, including Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, who is quoted as saying:
“I’ve been going since 1993 when I was in high school. Now I try and get adjusted at least once every two weeks. What I like about chiro is that they look at the whole body, not just the injury. I might have pain in my hip but the problem might be in my shoulder.”
It is important to note that if you have not been getting regular chiropractic care, the time to start is not just before the race. Don’t schedule your first chiropractic appointment immediately prior to running a marathon. Instead, set up your appointment well before the race. This will give your body time to adjust afterwards. It is also best to avoid any major chiropractic procedures just before a race.
How Often Should Runners See a Chiropractor?
The answer depends on the individual and their goals, but the average is weekly or biweekly. For example, the clinical recommendations for treating acute lower back pain are 2 to 3 sessions per week for two to four weeks. In addition, a three-month study from 2021 documented significant improvement in chronic back pain after receiving chiropractic treatment more than once per week.
Total Chiropractic Care Provides Customized Treatment
For more than a quarter of a century, Total Chiropractic Care & Wellness has developed custom-tailored chiropractic treatment plans for a wide variety of situations. Each case is different, and a custom-crafted approach is more successful at restoring range of motion, relieving pain, treating overextension or repetitive motion injuries, and treating subluxation.
Together we will develop a comprehensive, tailored strategy based on your goals, be they treating an injury or training for a marathon. Contact us today to arrange an appointment for an examination and preliminary diagnosis.