Middle-distance runner and 2016 Olympian Colleen Quigley shared a bizarre technique for relieving pelvic pain on social media, raising eyebrows.
The 31-year-old steeplechase specialist took to Instagram on Tuesday to share that sticking her tongue out before she hits the track helps her stay on top of her game on race day.
In the footage posted to her profile, the world record holder can be seen removing her tank top before grabbing her tongue, sticking it out and moving it left, right, up and down. She holds her tongue in each direction before changing angles.
“Sometimes you drool on yourself, just try to relax,” Quigley says in the video, his jaw muscles not unclenching immediately after performing his technique.
Quigley is technically correct about sticking out the tongue to relieve pain in the pelvic area, as both the tongue and jaw are connected to the pelvis through the body’s myofascial system of connective tissues.
Colleen Quigley, who competed in the 2016 Olympic steeplechase, revealed on Instagram earlier this week a technique for relieving pelvic pain that involves the use of tongue. It has now gone viral.
Quigley, seen at the 2023 ESPYS, credits a chiropractic specialist in Texas for the technique
Quigley credits Dr. Noah Moos, a chiropractic specialist in Texas who previously treated U.S. Olympic athletes, for teaching him the tongue-twisting trick.
However, Quigley admits that people have looked at her strangely in the past while practicing the technique.
Fans commenting on Quigley’s Instagram post couldn’t believe what they had just seen online.
But they agreed with the track star.
“Is it April Fool’s Day? *checks* it’s August 19th,” one person wrote.
Fans who commented on Quigley’s Instagram post couldn’t believe the trick actually worked.
“Well, why am I sticking my tongue out while watching this?” another person pointed out.
“Hahahahaha this cracked me up. I love it. But I also know the research on therapy and tongue ties and how they cause tension in the body so it makes sense,” another person shared.
“It makes perfect sense. Relaxing your jaw and mouth is also a technique you’re taught for unmedicated childbirth… through your jaw and pelvis! Bodies are amazing,” one user said.