Martin Lukeman has opened up about his fight against dartitis, revealing he is using unconventional methods like acupuncture and hypnosis to rebuild his confidence and career. The Englishman, nicknamed 'Smash', has struggled with the condition that disrupts a player's ability to release the dart, but he showed promising improvement at the 2026 UK Open last weekend.
At the UK Open, Lukeman, 40, secured wins over Thomas Lovely, Ritchie Edhouse, and Madars Razma to reach the last 16, where he lost 10-7 to Jonny Clayton. Afterward, he expressed relief, stating, "It was good. I've been struggling lately, but I am coming back now — the old twitchy dartitis is gone." He added that his confidence is slowly returning, emphasizing, "I am working hard and my confidence is coming back. Martin with confidence is a dangerous player."
To overcome his issues, Lukeman has sought alternative treatments, saying, "I have been having acupuncture, I have a hypnotist, and I have been working on lots of stuff to try and get me back to where I am. I am working on it and I am feeling good at the moment." This comes after a challenging period where he failed to reach a ProTour semi-final in 2025, was knocked out in the first round of the World Championship, and did not qualify for the Winmau World Masters.
Despite setbacks, Lukeman remains optimistic, with his dartitis symptoms fading and confidence growing. His recent performances indicate he is moving forward again, and if he can maintain this level, he could become a dangerous outsider at major tournaments. Currently ranked world number 38, Lukeman's focus is on stability and further building confidence through mental coaching, alternative therapies, and hard work.
