The Paris Olympics have the world thinking about sports and fitness as the best in the world showcase their talents and hard work. I recently came across an article focused on the growing role acupuncture plays in field of sports and I thought it would be a great one to share.

original article ​https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/2283-the-athlete-s-edge-acupuncture-is-transforming-sports

In the highly competitive world of sports, where athletes push their bodies to the limits, rapid recovery and peak performance are essential. Acupuncture, known for its ability to alleviate pain and promote healing, has become a favored tool among some of the most renowned athletes. From basketball courts to tennis courts, this therapy is proving to be a game-changer. Here’s how acupuncture has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of top sports figures.

Stephen Curry: Precision Beyond the Court
Stephen Curry, renowned for his exceptional shooting skills and transformative impact on the game of basketball, has integrated acupuncture into his comprehensive approach to health and performance. Known for his relentless training and commitment to perfection, Curry utilizes acupuncture to address the physical strains of his intense schedule.
 
“Acupuncture helps me manage the wear and tear on my body,” Curry has said. “It’s a key part of my recovery process, helping me stay agile and responsive on the court.” [1] The therapy aids in alleviating muscle soreness and enhancing overall flexibility, crucial for Curry's dynamic playing style.
 
Curry’s use of acupuncture complements other recovery techniques in his routine, such as cryotherapy and massage, forming a holistic strategy to maintain his high level of play throughout the NBA season. His dedication to integrating various therapies into his regimen underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to athlete wellness.
 
Draymond Green: Balancing Intensity with Recovery
Draymond Green, known for his powerful defense and versatile play, has also embraced acupuncture to support his demanding career. Green’s playing style, which involves significant physical contact and high-intensity movements, places considerable stress on his body. Acupuncture has become a key component in his recovery and injury prevention strategies.
 
“Acupuncture is incredibly beneficial for me,” Green has noted. “It helps with managing pain and keeping my body in balance. The therapy supports my recovery, allowing me to stay effective and resilient throughout the season”. [2]
 
Green uses acupuncture to address issues such as muscle strain and joint discomfort, helping him maintain his physical edge and perform at his best. By incorporating acupuncture into his routine, Green is able to manage the physical toll of his aggressive playing style and continue contributing significantly to his team’s success.
 
LeBron James: "A Game-Changer for Recovery"
Basketball icon LeBron James, celebrated for his longevity and outstanding performance, attributes much of his continued success to acupuncture. "Acupuncture has been a game-changer for me," James has stated. "It helps with muscle soreness and speeds up recovery. After intense games or workouts, it’s one of the things that gets me back to feeling 100%". [3]
 
James integrates acupuncture with other recovery techniques like cryotherapy and massage, creating a comprehensive approach to maintaining his elite level of play well into his late thirties.
 
Maria Sharapova: "A Natural Way to Manage Pain"
Tennis star Maria Sharapova discovered acupuncture as a means to manage chronic shoulder pain that affected her career. "Acupuncture provided a natural way to manage the pain," Sharapova revealed. "It’s a great alternative to medication, and it helps with overall stress and well-being. I noticed a big difference in my recovery times and how I felt mentally and physically." [4]
 
Her experience underscores acupuncture’s role not only in physical recovery but also in supporting mental well-being—an essential factor in professional sports.
 
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: "Part of My Health Regimen" 
Actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson includes acupuncture in his rigorous health routine. "I believe in acupuncture as part of my overall wellness plan," Johnson said. "It’s great for pain management, and it helps me keep my body in balance. Whether it’s for muscle pain or just maintaining my energy levels, it’s a valuable tool. [5]
 
Johnson’s use of acupuncture highlights its versatility in addressing various physical and mental health needs, crucial for balancing a demanding career with intense workouts.
 
Tim Duncan: A Quiet Advocate of Alternative Therapies
Tim Duncan, the legendary San Antonio Spurs forward, also embraced acupuncture during his career. Duncan turned to the practice to manage pain and enhance recovery from injuries, allowing him to maintain his performance and contribute significantly to his team's success. [6]
 James Harrison: "Helps Me Keep Pushing"Former NFL linebacker James Harrison, known for his intense training routines, found acupuncture invaluable for his recovery process. "Acupuncture helps me keep pushing," Harrison noted. "It’s about taking care of my body so I can keep performing at a high level. It helps with muscle recovery and keeps me feeling good. [7]
 
Harrison’s experience demonstrates how acupuncture can be part of a broader strategy to maximize physical capabilities and extend athletic careers.
 
Golf Legends Embracing Acupuncture
Tiger Woods: Known for his dedication to both traditional and alternative therapies, Tiger Woods integrated acupuncture into his recovery routine after multiple back surgeries. The practice helped him achieve better flexibility and a remarkable comeback to professional golf. [8]
 
Phil Mickelson: Phil Mickelson uses acupuncture to address physical issues like back pain and muscle recovery, aiding in his performance and extending his career. [9]
 
Justin Rose: 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose has turned to acupuncture to help with injury recovery and enhance mental and physical well-being, crucial for maintaining peak performance during tournaments. [10]
 Archery Legends Finding Success with Acupuncture Kim Woo-jin: South Korean archery legend Kim Woo-jin uses acupuncture to address physical strains and enhance recovery, supporting his sustained excellence. [11]
 
Brady Ellison: American archery star
Brady Ellison integrates acupuncture to manage pain and improve flexibility, helping him maintain a high level of performance. [12]
 
Deepika Kumari: Indian archery icon
Deepika Kumari uses acupuncture to address physical issues and improve recovery times, maintaining her position among the world’s top archers. [13]
 
Gymnastics Legends and Acupuncture
Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in history, has demonstrated extraordinary skill and resilience throughout her career. To manage the intense physical demands of gymnastics, Biles has incorporated acupuncture into her recovery routine. The therapy has helped her address various injuries and muscle strains, supporting her in maintaining peak performance and continuing to set new records. [14]
 
Nadia Comăneci, the gymnast who famously scored the first perfect 10 at the Olympics, has also utilized acupuncture to support her career. After retiring from competitive gymnastics, Comăneci turned to acupuncture to aid in recovery and maintain her physical health. The practice has played a role in managing pain and enhancing her overall well-being, contributing to her continued involvement in the sport as a coach and ambassador. [15]
 
Nastia Liukin, a celebrated gymnast and Olympic gold medalist, is renowned not only for her exceptional skills on the mat but also for her dedication to holistic health and well-being. Recently, Liukin has been vocal about her positive experiences with acupuncture, a practice she integrates into her regimen to enhance performance and recovery.
 
Skating Legends and Acupuncture
Michelle Kwan, a figure skating icon and two-time Olympic medalist, has incorporated acupuncture into her training and recovery regimen. Kwan used acupuncture to manage injuries and improve her physical condition, allowing her to compete at the highest level. The therapy helped her address issues such as muscle pain and joint stiffness, contributing to her long and successful career in figure skating. [16]
 
Yuzuru Hanyu, a Japanese figure skating legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has turned to acupuncture to support his rigorous training and competition schedule. Hanyu has used acupuncture to manage pain, enhance recovery, and improve flexibility. The therapy has played a crucial role in helping him maintain his elite performance and cope with the physical challenges of high-level figure skating. [17]
 
From basketball courts to golf greens, and from tennis courts to archery ranges, acupuncture has proven to be an invaluable resource for athletes. By integrating this ancient practice into their routines, sports stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James, Maria Sharapova, and Michelle Kwan demonstrate that acupuncture is more than just a trend—it’s a crucial component of modern sports medicine, enhancing performance, managing pain, and supporting overall well-being.
 
Sources:
1 Curry, Stephen. Interview on the role of acupuncture in sports recovery. NBA.com. January 2022.  
2 Green, Draymond. Interview discussing the benefits of acupuncture. ESPN. March 2023.  
3 James, LeBron. Comment on how acupuncture aids his recovery. Sports Illustrated. February 2023.  
4 Sharapova, Maria. Interview on managing chronic pain with acupuncture. Tennis Magazine. July 2021.  
5 Johnson, Dwayne. Statement on acupuncture as part of his wellness plan. Men’s Health. June 2022.  
6 Duncan, Tim. Commentary on his use of alternative therapies, including acupuncture. Spurs Official Website. August 2022.  
7 Harrison, James. Interview on the role of acupuncture in his training regimen. NFL Network. November 2021.  
8 Woods, Tiger. Recovery update including acupuncture benefits. Golf Digest. April 2023.  
9 Mickelson, Phil. Comments on how acupuncture supports his golf performance. Golf Channel. September 2022.  
10 Rose, Justin. Interview discussing acupuncture for injury recovery and performance. Golf Monthly. January 2023.  
11 Kim, Woo-jin. Insights into acupuncture’s role in his archery performance. Archery World. December 2022.  
12 Ellison, Brady. Comments on acupuncture for managing pain and flexibility. Archery Digest. October 2022.  
13 Kumari, Deepika. Use of acupuncture in managing physical issues and enhancing recovery. Archery Times. November 2023.  
14 Biles, Simone. Commentary on integrating acupuncture into her gymnastics recovery. Gymnastics Today. February 2023.  
15 Comăneci, Nadia. Experience with acupuncture post-retirement. Gymnastics Weekly. March 2022.  
16 Kwan, Michelle. Discussion of acupuncture’s impact on her figure skating career. Figure Skating Journal. August 2022.  
17 Hanyu, Yuzuru. Insights into how acupuncture supports his training. Skating Monthly. January 2023.  
18 Research on acupuncture benefits for athletes. Journal of Sports Medicine. June 2024.  
19 Overview of acupuncture’s growing role in sports medicine. Sports Health Review. July 2024.  ​

By Edd Lee LAc LMT MS
"Do you have a bathtub? Do you use it? Can you take a hot bath tonight?"

A set of questions that will be familiar to my regular patients. For more than 15 years, I have been asking these questions of each and every patient after their treatment. The more curious patients will counter with, “Why a hot bath?”, to which I respond with a couple of points off the cuff. I thought it is about time to pull together all the information I can find regarding baths, so I can justify my incessant hot bath advocacy.

Hot Baths in History & Around the World
Hot bath traditions date back to antiquity around the world. In Europe, the Romans spread the practice of bathing across their once vast empire. Actually the word spa is an acronym for the latin phrase Sanus Per Aquam, which translates to health through water. In Germany, doctors often prescribe soaking at hot springs resorts—called kurorts—to patients to reduce stress or treat chronic conditions such as rheumatism. “Kurs” usually last for three consecutive weeks and the cost is covered by health insurance.

Turkish baths, called Hammam are often associated with the culture of the Ottoman Empire. Hammam rituals typically begin with relaxing in a heated room to induce perspiration. Bathers typically move progressively to a hotter rooms, then wash in cold water, often followed by a massage. In traditional hammams, bathers are nude and genders are separated for modesty.
Japan has a long history of bathing, not surprising given the number of natural hot springs found in the Japanese islands. The springs were originally used by Buddhist monks for purification rituals. As the healing properties were discovered, people brought their ill relatives to soak. Over time public bathing became commonplace and a practical way to stay clean. These days, indoor plumbing has solved hygienic problems, but Japanese continue to be big fans of public bathing. Soaking in Japan’s onsen is done in the buff, prior to entering the water, visitors are expected to thoroughly wash themselves with soap and water. Men and women are often separated by gender and those with tattoos are typically turned away. 

In Taiwan, hot springs called Wen Quan are clustered around the city of Beitou, where the active volcano Yang Ming Shan is the source of the thermal waters. Unlike Japan, however, swimsuits are required to soak in the public pools. You might spot people placing small towels on top of their heads; theoretically, doing so will prevent you from fainting by lowering the temperature differential between your body and the geothermal water.

Given the long history and expansive reach, what do we know about the benefits of taking hot baths? Surprisingly, quite a few. Here’s what I was able to find.

Mental health benefit
Soaking in a warm bath could have a positive impact on mental health and relaxation, according to a small study of 38 participants published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2018. The participants also reported reduced feelings of tension, anger, hostility, depression, and dejection. 

“Through a randomized study, the researchers found that baths can have a greater effect on mental health and anxiety than showering as a form of bathing,” says Michael I. Jacobs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. 

Along the same lines, a small pilot study of 45 participants published in BMC Psychiatry in 2020 found that taking warm baths twice a week, for as few as two weeks, can result in “clinically relevant improvement in depression severity,” when the person continues their usual mental health care routine.

Cardiovascular benefit

Taking hot baths may improve your cardiovascular health, according to a 2020 study out of Japan published in the journal Heart. The researchers observed more than 30,000 people between the ages of 40 and 59 over a span of 19 years, and found that participants who took warm baths frequently had a decreased risk of cardiovascular events, Dr. Warner says. 

There is also research suggesting that taking hot baths regularly may have a positive effect on a person’s vascular health, meaning the blood vessels, veins, and arteries responsible for blood flow. For example, a small 2016 study from the Journal of Physiology found that after eight weeks of testing, daily hot baths resulted in lower blood pressure and increased artery health for the 10 participants. “Hydrotherapy in a warm bath will increase peripheral blood flow, and this promotes healing of any irritated or damaged tissues,” Dr. Warner adds. 

According to Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, a double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, physician and co-founder of Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists, taking warm baths also increases vasodilation, which improves circulation. “Improved circulation comes with numerous health benefits, but from a pain management perspective, it’s important because blood is what carries essential nutrients and molecules to your musculoskeletal tissues,” he explains. “In instances where pain is coming from trauma to muscle tissue or connective tissue, circulation expedites the process where the body heals itself.”

Reducing Muscle and Joint Pain

Bathing can provide some much-needed relief for people dealing with painful muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons, Dr. Pontinen says. This is because the warm water can help the tissues in your musculoskeletal system relax, which helps you heal faster, he explains.

This is especially true of mineralized water, like the kind found in natural hot springs (or in your tub, after adding water-soluble mineral sources, like Epsom salts), according to a 2021 study out of Ethiopia with more than 1,000 participants, published in the journal Inquiry. The researchers found that bathing in hot springs for three or more days can “have significant therapeutic effects on patients with musculoskeletal disorders” including rheumatoid arthritis—which affects approximately 1.3 million adults in the U.S.

“One of the main benefits is to help the body relax, help muscles to recover and heal, and to reduce pain,” Dr. Warner says. “Joints and stiff connective tissues will also feel better after a warm bath.” In addition to pain, bathing can also alleviate other types of muscular discomfort. “For sore muscles, a hot bath can reduce built-up tension, tightness, pain, and soreness,” Dr. Purdy adds.

Improved Sleep

Given that taking a warm bath can help some people relax, it’s not surprising it can also help promote a good (or at least better) night’s sleep. “Taking a bath at night may help you fall asleep and stay asleep, increasing your overall sleep quality, which is vital for your body to reset for the next day,” Dr. Purdy says. “It’s a great way to wind down, as it triggers the body and your mind to relax, which in turn can help you fall asleep.”

One way bathing accomplishes this is by supporting the body’s nightly temperature adjustment. “The body naturally undergoes a cooling phase when you begin to sleep, and a hot bath can give you a head-start with that phase,” Dr. Pontinen explains.

These benefits aren’t strictly anecdotal: A 2019 review of the findings of 17 studies on the effects of bathing on sleep concluded that taking a warm full-body bath, foot bath, or shower before bed for at least 10 minutes can improve sleep quality.

Better skin

You may not think of bathing as part of a skincare routine, but whether you opt for a bath or a shower, that’s exactly what it is. In addition to removing dirt on the surface of your skin, bathing in warm water also opens up your pores, allowing you to wash away built-up grime, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Plus, it softens the layers of dead skin cells on the outer surface of the skin, so that they slough off easily with a washcloth (or prepare your skin for your exfoliation method of choice).

“[Bathing] can also help you clear away the bacterial and fungal load from contact in your environment,” says Amy Zack, MD, a family physician at the Cleveland Clinic. “As that accumulates, it increases your risk of infection.”

Once again, the research on the dermatological benefits of bathing is limited, but the 38 participants in the small 2018 study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine mentioned above reported an improvement in their skin’s condition after two weeks of bathing regularly.

Additionally, taking warm mineral baths can help treat acne and seborrheic dermatitis, according to a 2020 review of studies investigating the effects of bathing in warm, mineralized water for people with chronic inflammatory skin diseases, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The article also concluded that warm baths in mineralized water can be especially beneficial for people living with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Immune benefits

Immunology studies have found that soaking 20-30 minutes in a bath raises your core body temperature increasing white blood cell production and strengthening your body's ability to fight off infection. 

It's long been accepted that an increase in body temperature is helpful in fighting infection and inflammation. That's one of the main avenues our bodies respond to infections——by literally heating up with a fever! Researchers at the Roswell Cancer Institute found that lymphocytes, (particularly CD8+cytotoxic T-cells which are highly effective in destroying virus-infected cells) are significantly intensified in their ability to fight off infection by an increase in body temperature. So it's not surprising that recent studies utilizing hydrotherapy— particularly baths and saunas— have found that a 30-40 minute soak results in an increase in your body's production of these important infection-fighting white blood cells.
​
So you can see, there are so pretty significant arguments for taking hot baths regularly, particularly as an active New Yorker. Will this get you take baths more often? I can only hope. But I do hope this helps you to, at the very least understand, why I always ask you take a bath.

I am thrilled to introduce you to my new Assistant, Rachel. She will be working on Tuesday and Fridays, helping me with logistics and administration. Thanks to her help, I am now able to see more people on the days she works - which means more opportunities for you to get in for your treatments!

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to the newest member of Manhattan Sports Acupuncture!

The Placebo effect has been a topic I have had to deal with for much of my professional career - as an advocate for medical research, understanding basic scientific research concepts like the placebo effect was a critical part of my work. And traveling around the world talking about such subjects gave me a unique vantage point on the idea of the placebo effect, and public opinion on the subject.

For me, people too often choose to frame this idea as a negative. "Are you sure this really works, or is it just a placebo effect?", a common question I've heard around the world. But we know, through research that the placebo effect generally has a 30% effect - which is why good statisticians typically power studies to take into account this 30%. 

But if the goal is to find ways to achieve a desired effect - one can actually think of the placebo effect as an easy 30% bonus towards our goal. If we just believe. I posit that the placebo effect is actually scientific documentation of the impact mental focus and attitude can have on a desired goal. This is an idea I suggest you keep in mind as you read the article below, and as you engage in your training routines.

​Edd

You can get a better effect from your training if you believe that the training program you are following has been put together especially for you, according to Kolbjørn Andreas Lindberg, a research fellow at the University of Agder in Norway.
"If you believe that the training program you are following has been optimized for you, that in itself will have an effect, regardless of the content of the program. It is exactly the same as the placebo effect we know from medicine," says Lindberg who has conducted a pilot study on the effect this can have on training. The results have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Have you ever taken paracetamol to relieve a pounding headache, only to feel better even before the pill has had a chance to work? Then you have experienced the placebo effect.
Placebo is the name for the somewhat strange phenomenon that occurs when medication or treatment works better if you believe it will work.
"The placebo effect has been studied for over 70 years, but looking at it in the context of exercise research is new," Lindberg says.
Placebo drugs are an important part of clinical research. In so-called blind trials, the active drug and placebo are administered to patients according to a code, so neither the researchers nor the subjects know who has been given what.
In this way, researchers can objectively evaluate the effect of the medication.
Forty people participated in the study by Lindberg and his colleagues. After a series of physical tests in the laboratory, they were all given different training programs.
Half of the participants were told that the training program they received had been specially adapted to them based on the tests that were carried out. This was the intervention group.

​More information: Kolbjørn Lindberg et al, The effects of being told you are in the intervention group on training results: a pilot study, Scientific Reports (2023).  DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29141-7
Journal information: Scientific Reports 

COVID-19 new infections and hospitalizations have been dropping significantly in New York. This is great news!

In light of this positive turn of events, many of you may have noticed Federal, State and City mandates have been loosening in response to these changes. While it is exciting to feel like we are starting to get ahead of the pandemic, it is important to keep in mind there are still some mandates in place. Specifically,  face masks are still required in health care settings, including acupuncture clinics.

Manhattan Sports Acupuncture's COVID-19 Safety Protocols have changed a bit too. Here is short review our current protocol.

Manhattan Sports Acupuncture COVID-19 Safety Protocol

• All Patients will be asked to fill out a screening form at the time of booking and just before their scheduled appointment.
• Vaccinated patients must wear a mask while in the clinic and will be given hand sanitizer upon entry. Unvaccinated patients must wear a mask while in the clinic, will be given hand sanitizer upon entry, and will be screened for temperature and pulse oxygen levels.
• Staff are all vaccinated, masked and wear face shields while with all patients.
• Rooms will continue to be cleaned and disinfected with CDC approved cleaning products, UV disinfection, Ozone disinfection, and HEPA air filtration.

While these protocols do require some effort, I want to recognize they have been the reason I have not been infected by COVID-19 over that last two years. I find a lot of security in this and hope you do too.