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Dr. Daniel Hoover

Can IV Therapy Help Athletes Recover?

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Intravenous (IV) therapy, the same kind used in medical settings, has grown in popularity in recent years. Many people use IV therapy for its various benefits, such as boosting your immune system, balancing your nutrient intake, or even helping you nurse a hangover.

IV therapy is also incredibly popular in the world of sports and athletics. Often used to rehydrate after intense workouts or events, athletes use IV therapy regularly. In this article, we will explore if IV therapy helps athletes recover.

Understanding IV Therapy

IV therapy directly provides a high dosage of vitamins and minerals to the bloodstream. By delivering the nutrients through an IV allows nutrients to bypass the absorption process of the digestive system when taking supplements orally. When taken orally, your body needs to break down the nutrients before they are absorbed and then processed for the body to use. This takes time and can reduce the amount of nutrients the body absorbs. IV therapy provides nutrients faster, but the concentration of the nutrients is also unaffected. This means the body uses as much as it needs with great efficiency. The Myer’s Cocktail IV therapy provides a blend of Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium, and Calcium. Some of the benefits of IV therapy include: 

  • Increased Immune System Function
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Depression
  • Migraines
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Acute/Chronic Infections
  • Detoxification

With vitamins and minerals, IV therapy aims to help you return to balance.

What do Athletes Need for Recovery?

Recovery is essential for athletes. It allows them to remain at their best and improves their longevity. Typically, athletes require a few elements for successful recovery. Hydration is one of the key elements needed by athletes. Ensuring your body is well-hydrated improves the body’s elasticity, controls temperature, and keeps joints working smoothly. Fluids also allow for nutrients to flow through the body. This brings up another point of recovery: refueling. Much like cars needing gas, the body needs nutrients to recover successfully. There are many vitamins and minerals, such as Calcium and Vitamins C and B, to help with the recovery of muscle and bone. Most of the body’s recovery happens when you’re resting. Adequate and high-quality sleep is crucial to ensure your body recovers well. Other requirements may include adequate stretching, a balanced lifestyle, and even deep tissue massages.

How Does IV Therapy Aid in Recovery? 

IV therapy, specifically the Myer’s cocktail, can help in nearly every aspect needed for recovery. IV therapy provides quick hydration and electrolytes because the nutrients are delivered through saline. IV therapy has the added benefit of boosting energy while helping you recover and regulate body temperature. Vitamins and minerals in Myer’s cocktail IV therapy provide an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, and vitamins to help your body naturally repair minor tears that occur in the muscles after they’ve been stressed. This balance in nutrients can have a major effect on how well you sleep. Magnesium, for example, has been shown to potentially contribute to reducing anxiety and insomnia. This can lead to longer and higher quality sleep. 

At SOHMA Integrative Medicine, we offer many therapies to help athletes in their journey to recovery. Feel free to ask the helpful SOHMA staff about cupping and massage therapy. Both are also popular options for athletes looking to better their recovery.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step in your journey to better health.

How Does a Myer’s Cocktail Affect Your Energy Level?

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Myer’s cocktail is a form of IV therapy, the same kind of IV you would see delivering medicine in a hospital setting. However, Myer’s cocktail IV therapy uses the exact mechanism to provide vitamins and minerals directly to the bloodstream. Myer’s cocktail has a variety of uses for nearly everyone. However, it is beneficial to athletes and older adults. As we age, our bodies absorb nutrients differently; sometimes, we can use some help to return to balance.


You may be wondering how Myer’s cocktail affects your energy levels, and today, we’ll explore the answer to that question.

What Is Myer’s Cocktail IV Therapy?

Myer’s cocktail was developed in the 70s to provide a mix of essential nutrients your body needs for overall health and wellness. The perfectly crafted blend provides the body with Vitamin C, B Complex, Magnesium, and Calcium. Since the 70s, Myer’s cocktail has been shown to have a number of benefits. Some of which include aiding and alleviating some of the following ailments and conditions:

  • Increased Immune System Function
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Depression
  • Migraines
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Acute/Chronic Infections
  • Detoxification

Due to the nutrients being delivered directly to the bloodstream, Myer’s cocktail bypasses the digestive system. By doing this, the nutrients are available nearly immediately compared to oral supplements, which take the body time to break down and absorb. Some nutrients aren’t absorbed to their fullest potential during this time compared to IV therapy, which will provide a much more concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals the body needs for essential functions.

Give Yourself that Little Boost

In our busy lives, it’s likely you’ve missed a meal due to a deadline or sacrificed some sleep to run errands. We’ve all felt a bit exhausted from time to time. It’s easy to reach out for an energy drink when you’re feeling tired. However, you may not be aware that what you may be consuming is loaded with sugar, caffeine, and other chemicals. And while this can give you a short burst of energy, it’s only a matter of time before you have to deal with the dreaded “crash.”

Myer’s cocktail IV therapy can help many people who may not have the time to maintain their bodies in balance properly. IV therapy directly infuses nutrients into the bloodstream. This allows the body to take full advantage of the nutrients as they become available. There’s no need to wait for you to digest a healthy meal or breakdown supplements. Many people feel an immediate boost in energy levels during or shortly after a session. Patients managing fatigue comment that they feel revitalized for days and, in some cases, weeks. This is because Myer’s cocktail IV therapy directly provides fluids infused with vitamins and minerals to the bloodstream, and your body absorbs the nutrients quickly, becoming readily available to your cells. Any excess nutrients will eventually be processed and expelled by the body.

As mentioned, many patients report prolonged effects, such as feeling energized for days or weeks. Typically, this is because, for some, their body may lack the essential nutrients the IV therapy provides. Conventional oral supplements can be helpful if you already have healthy habits, though for many, oral supplements simply take too long for the body to absorb them. The digestive process may reduce nutrient bioavailability as well.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

3 Benefits of Cupping Therapy

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Have you ever watched a sporting event, noticed athletes having round marks on their back and shoulders, and wondered what they are? 

While many assume they’re bruises, they resemble a “hickey.” This is because they’re not caused by an accident. Instead, they’re the resulting mark from cupping therapy. Cupping therapy has become incredibly popular amongst athletes in recent years. However, cupping therapy is over 1000 years old. This ancient technique uses heat or a pump to create negative pressure in a cup. Then, the cup is placed on the skin. The skin, muscle fibers, fascia, and other soft tissue are pulled into the cup. This has various benefits, and today, we’re going to over 3 benefits of cupping therapy.

Benefit #1 Managing Pain

It is estimated that millions of Americans deal with chronic pain. That is roughly 20% of all adults in the country. Many people ignore the early back, shoulder, or neck pain signs. Assuming they just “slept wrong” or sitting awkwardly at the office. Often, people assume the pain will go away on its own, and in some cases, it does. Typically, the longer you wait to get the pain treated, the longer it takes to recover.

 Cupping may be the solution many people need. Cupping may cause vasodilation, which promotes better circulation. When the soft tissue is pulled into the cup, the body reacts by increasing blood flow to the treated area. This brings fresh, oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood in while flushing out any stagnation. 

Cupping therapy can also help with inflammation. Inflammation or swelling is a natural response by the body to an area that has been injured or damaged. The swelling keeps the muscles from moving to reduce the possibility of further hurting the tissue. Unfortunately, this same pressure can result in pain. The increased blood circulation through cupping therapy can help reduce this inflammation, which helps to minimize pressure and ultimately enables you to manage your pain.

Benefit #2 Reduces Stress

Stress is a common reaction we’ve had for as long as we’ve existed. However, in our modern society, stress has become a dangerous response. Stress is often called “the silent killer.” This is because nothing harms you when you cannot release your stress. Stress is known to cause a large amount of symptoms, including:

  • Headaches
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Physical Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Indigestion
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Tension

And many more. To help combat the increasing stress of daily life, consider cupping therapy. 

Cupping therapy has been shown to increase dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters or chemical messengers can improve your mood and reduce anxiety. They’re also the neurotransmitters your body needs to provide natural stress relief. 

Another way cupping therapy helps with managing your stress is by improving your ability to sleep and the quality of sleep. If your body is tense and in pain, getting comfortable is challenging, leading to less sleep. After a cupping therapy session, you should feel more relaxed and less tense. Making it easier to get comfortable allows you to fall asleep sooner and have fewer issues remaining asleep through the night. A good night’s sleep is when the body works on healing both body and mind. 

Benefit #3 Improves Recovery

Many athletes need to be in their best physical condition. This is why they often use cupping therapy as part of their recovery. We’ve mentioned the increased blood circulation, which is key in promoting recovery. You need oxygen to repair any injury, and the increased blood flow from cupping provides it to the treated areas. This stimulates proper and standard healing at the cellular level.

In many people, cupping therapy can drain excess fluids and toxins and loosen adhesion in connective tissue. This can be caused by repetitive motion, physical trauma, infection, or surgery. Because cupping causes vasodilation, it can help reduce muscle stiffness and pain. With less pain, you can focus on other recovery exercises and stretches needed for recovery.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

Myer’s Cocktail Benefits for Athletes

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Myer’s Cocktail is a form of intravenous (IV) therapy, the same kind of IV you would see in a medical setting. However, instead of administering fluid and medications, Myer’s cocktail IV therapy delivers fluids and nutrients the body needs to allow proper functions. These nutrients include:

  • Vitamin C 
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium 

At SOHAM Integrative Medicine in Long Beach, CA, we’ve used this perfectly crafted blend of nutrients in Myer’s cocktail IV therapy to help many people deal with various ailments and conditions. These conditions may include:

  • Improved Immune system
  • Reducing Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines
  • Respiratory Issues

Myer’s cocktail has also shown positive results in helping people detoxify from hangovers and improve their mental health. Many athletes saw Myer’s cocktail IV therapy as an opportunity to quickly rehydrate and replenish their nutrients. In doing so, it was discovered that athletes derive additional benefits from IV therapy.

In today’s article, we’ll explore how Myer’s cocktail is beneficial to athletes.

Boosts Energy and Rehydrates

Providing nutrients and fluids directly to your bloodstream via an IV bypasses the digestive system, allowing the body to absorb Myer’s cocktail blend more rapidly and efficiently. This means you may notice a significant improvement in energy levels while still attached to the IV. This is because unlike drinking water and taking oral vitamin supplements, your body needs to break down and absorb everything through the digestive system first. Sometimes, your body may not absorb the nutrients efficiently enough to make a significant difference. Through an IV, you can be confident that the body is receiving the proper nutrients to replenish your body. Although many athletes may have initially used Myer’s cocktail to rehydrate quickly, they discovered they would feel more energetic afterward.

Complementary Therapies

Myer’s cocktail lends itself to many complementary therapies. On its own, Myer’s cocktail has significant benefits for athletes. However, when combined with complementary therapies, you can unlock additional benefits in some cases simultaneously.

Ozone therapy is occasionally combined with the Myers cocktail. This is because both are IV therapies and share similar benefits. While Myer’s cocktail provides fluids and nutrients, Ozone therapy can aid in removing toxins from the body due to its disinfectant properties. 

When combined with massage therapy, athletes can gain additional benefits from Myer’s cocktail IV therapy.  As previously stated, your body can absorb nutrients better through IV therapy. Deep tissue massage therapy can not only reduce stress anxiety and loosen up tight muscles, but it can also increase blood circulation. This can promote overall wellness and further improve nutrient absorption.

Improved Recovery

Muscles contract and relax as you exercise, though, during heavier loads, the contractions can result in minor tears and damage. On its own, this needs to be more significant to worry about. An increased burden on the muscles can result in pain and soreness. While the body can heal and recover from this damage on its own, Myer’s cocktail infusion can provide the necessary nutrients to improve the speed at which your body recovers from a heavy workout. For example, vitamin B-12 plays a key role in producing red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body. Oxygen is a vital component in allowing your muscles to recover efficiently.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.

5 Benefits of Massage Therapy

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For years, massage therapy was seen as simply a form of relaxation for those who could afford it. We know that massages can be therapeutic and come with various benefits. 

Manipulating the body’s soft tissues manually has been shown to improve overall well-being. By applying pressure, stretching, and kneading the soft tissue, a massage can help you in ways you may not have thought of.

Join us today as we explore five often-overlooked benefits of massage therapy.

Stress Reduction

Though often depicted as a relaxing experience, the stress reduction it can provide is underestimated. Massage therapy can help you release tension stored in the muscles. The body’s physical response to stress is to tense the muscles. When the muscles are tense, it signals to the mind that you are stressed. This is a looping cycle that can result in a variety of issues, including heart conditions and mental health issues. 

Stress is often referred to as the “silent killer.” This is because stress is linked to poor body functions. Stress can disrupt your ability and quality of sleep, cause headaches, and cause stomach and back pains. Stress is known to have a negative effect on your immune system as well. Massage therapy can break this cycle, reduce tension, alleviate built-up stress, and improve physical and mental health. 

Helps to Manage Nerve Pain

Nerve pain can be some of the most debilitating pains a person can experience. Often causing sharp or burning pain whenever it triggers, this causes people to be bedridden even if they may be otherwise physically capable of moving. 

Massage therapy can often release “knots” of muscle tension. This can reduce the amount of pressure on nerves. This type of massage therapy can feel intense for some patients as pressure is relieved from the nerves. However, most patients only report slight soreness and overall relief after it is done.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Accidents happen, and sometimes, they may result in soft tissue injuries. Massage therapy can help recover and heal the soft tissue, too. When an injury occurs, the muscles around the injury tense up. This is the body’s natural reaction to the injury. The muscles become tense to immobilize and stabilize the injured area to prevent further damage.

A massage can improve blood flow to the injured soft tissue, which promotes healing. It can also reduce the tension caused by the body’s reaction to the injury. This can enhance flexibility, improve recovery speed, reduce pain, and prevent scar tissue from forming. Scar tissue can reduce flexibility and strength because it is less flexible and elastic than the original tissue. If scar tissue has already developed, massage therapy can help to break down the scar tissue. 

Improves Muscle Flexibility

When used frequently, muscles tend to build tension and tighten up. This can reduce flexibility and mobility. Even when we stretch before exercising, there are many muscles that we use that are deep within the soft tissue that we are unable to stretch.

Massage therapy can break down tension deep within the muscles. Deep tissue massage therapy can “loosen” muscles that rarely get stretched. This can promote elasticity and increase the range of motion in the muscles. With an increased range of motion in the muscles, some activities can become more accessible, and in older adults, it can even provide independence and balance.

Better Sleep Quality

The average amount of time an adult needs to sleep to feel well-rested is between 7 and 9 hours. However, it’s common for adults to claim not to feel rested even when sleeping for that long. This can be for various reasons, including physical discomfort and anxiety. Massage therapy can help with both of these issues. Physical discomfort is reduced after massage therapy. This is because of the release of tension in the muscles and improved blood circulation that promotes healing and recovery. The reduced tension can reduce stress, and the reduction of stress can reduce anxiety. This combination allows people to fall asleep sooner after going to bed and have higher quality sleep.

Take the Next Step In Improving Your Health by Contacting SOHMA Integrative Medicine

Our goal is to help you improve your health. You can contact us and ask about the Myers Cocktail, IV Therapy, Chiropractic care, or how our other health service lines can help you with your journey to improved health. 

Located in Long Beach, CA, we help individuals from the surrounding cities.

We look forward to helping you take the next step to better health.