What do tons of needles in your body and running have in common? Well, I don’t quite know yet, but I hope something good!

Last week, I tried acupuncture for the first time. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I was excited.

I went to Art of Healing in Atlanta to see if acupuncture could help alleviate some of the tightness I’ve been feeling in my feet and calves lately. Mr. rUnladylike organized a Friday date night of acupuncture followed by dinner with friends. (He knows the way straight to a girl’s heart – feed her and help her run better!)

According to Art of Healing’s Web site, acupuncture can be traced back 2,500 years as a way to relieve or prevent pain and a variety of health conditions. The idea is that disruptions in our flow of energy throughout our bodies may be responsible for disease and other health issues, and by correcting imbalances at points close to the skin, we can prevent that from happening.

The benefits of acupuncture are said to …

• Alleviate stress and anxiety
• Increase endorphins
• Lower blood pressure
• Increase range of motion
• Provide better sleep
• Increase endurance
• Help reduce or alleviate muscle aches
• Aid in reducing digestive problems
• Reduce sports injuries

Seeing that list makes you want to try it too, doesn’t it?

Here’s what it was like …

The room and process was similar to what you would expect when you get a massage. I was in a room with a massage table and was asked to disrobe and get under the sheet facing down.

My acupuncturist asked me about places that were bothering me, and we talked about my level of training and activity. Although he did a total body treatment, he focusd on the key areas that had been causing me some trouble, particularly my feet.

He proceeded to stick tons of disposable, sterile needles all over my body – my feet, calves, back, shoulders, neck and arms. Some of the needles I couldn’t even feel, while others felt like a slight pinch or prick (but it was not painful). He said some of the needles (in my glutes) he inserted about 2.5 inches. He said that depending how large a person is, he has gone up to 10 inches deep based on body fat.

The needles in my left calf and foot created the most intense sensation, which meant there was likely some negative flow going on there. I felt some pressure where the needles were and some pulsating. My lower back was also very active.

I then flipped over and he repeated the sticking and poking on my front side, putting needles into my feet, outer shins, hamstrings, IT bands, hips, arms, hands and neck. Again, nothing hurt, but a few of the needles felt a little weird as they went into the skin.

The hardest part was just sitting still. Not doing anything. Trying not to fidget. I am not good at that part. I was relaxed but also felt impatient.

After removing all the needles, my acupuncturist adjusted my back and did a few key stretches with my body. Several of the areas where I’d been poked felt a little itchy for a minute or 2, but went away. I didn’t notice any bruising or bumps.

In talking with my acupuncturist about acupuncture and endurance sports, he shared these thoughts:

• Sports massage is key. Runners who are considering integrating both sports massage and acupuncture into their injury prevention and recovery plan should consider a ratio of 70 percent sports massage and 30 percent acupuncture. He said the ideal frequency for acupuncture is every month to month and a half. Note: Acupuncture is expensive, and may be cost prohibitive for many people. Each session where I went is $100.
• Acupuncture is great for recovery, but can be done the day before and day after a race.
• Acupuncture can improve circulation and release tension.
• Yoga and stretching are critical to helping relieve tension as well. Yoga can naturally help align your body, perhaps as well as a chiropractor could.

I haven’t necessarily noticed any major changes since my acupuncture treatment. I’ve run 3 times since and haven’t had any foot pain, although my feet and calves are tight.

I know. You’re disappointed I don’t have more pictures, right? Trust me. The thought crossed my mind. But I decided maybe I should wait until the second visit to ask my acupuncturist to dig through my bag, find my iPhone and take half naked pictures of me with 20 needles stuck all over me. And then try to explain why I wanted him to do that. Next time. I promise.

And yes, I do think there will be a next time.

Have you ever gotten acupuncture before? What did you think? Did it help improve an ailment you had or help you run better? If you haven’t tried it, would you?