QuestionI'm training for the NYC marathon and am 3 1/2 weeks out. I've dealt with my piriformis through massage and acupuncture. It would probably heal if I stopped running, but right now it's not an option. My training has begun to taper but the piriformis problem peaked at the end of my max training...go figure...! Any other suggestions to get me through and have a successful marathon. Also, so I have to wait a day after massage or acupunture in order to heal before I go for a run, or is that not necessary? Please write soon as time is of the essence...thank you!
AnswerGood morning Eva. Thank you for your question. Marathons are an endurance event. That means competition is over a long time. It is not a stamina event-shorter time.
If you are experiencing piriformis inflammation, on no account attempt the event.
The only addage applies: the longer you are out there, the worse it becomes. To run a marathon in about three hours is fairly good going. Three and a half hours, good depending on your age, four hours forget it. You would not do anything else for four hours non-stop-why run?
You have two piriformis muscles. In all cases with pairs of muscles, why is it in one muscle and not the other? You are receiving the wrong treatment. You must find out why you are not experiencing inflammation in both muscle groups. That is very important.
Your body goes into recovery and remission during your rest and recreation. You must rest. Therefore, after massage or treatment, you must give your body time to recover. If you must train-swim. It does not matter if you swim like a chocolate fish-swimming is non-impact and it keeps your VO2 up.
As for massage and acupuncture. They both mimic eachother. Have you received ultra-sound? When you receive massage, are you lying in the Sims left or right lateral position to be treated? That is extremely important for piriformis treatments.
See an orthotics guru. Your shoes, gait, pelvic alignment etc will be checked by somebody who does it all day long. Experience here is essential for you.
I'm not sure that I have answered your question Eva. I could have also confused you further.
Please contact me again if you would like further information-although I'm not sure that I know much more than what I have already told you.
I run marathons myself. My best is 3.05-several years ago.
If I don't hear from you again Eva-Good Luck for the event.
Cheers from New Zealand.
