Probably the biggest threat to any athlete’s career is the possibility of injury. Any sort of physical activity carries the risk of damage to the body, and that can lead to potentially lengthy layoffs. So perhaps it's not surprising that unconventional sports injury treatments have been developed to help stars get back to action sooner. Some of the weird ways athletes treat injuries seem too bizarre to be true. Who would ever think to use hamster ovaries to heal broken bones? And how can cheese possibly prevent bruising? But both of these methods - and many more that are just as strange - have been employed by professional players looking to return to the field as quickly as possible. While the vast majority of individuals will stick with tried-and-true methods that are considered medically sound by most health professionals, others will go to extreme lengths to heal their bodies. In some instances, how athletes treat injuries boggles the mind. Sitting In A Spinning Chair Addressing concussions has become a major focal point in sports medicine. Although there is little that can be done for someone with a concussion, one company has created the GyroStim to alleviate the injury's effects. The GryoStim is essentially a giant mechanical chair that rotates the entire body of a patient. This supposedly activates the vestibular system, helping to reduce confusion and head pain while improving balance and motor coordination. Pittsburgh Penguin player Sidney Crosby used the device in 2011, and believes it significantly aided in his recovery. Injecting Bones With Hamster Ovaries Photo: digital_image_fan/via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0 When rugby player Kyle Reimers broke his thumb during a match in 2010, he took the unusual step of injecting parts of hamster ovaries into the digit. That's because the ovaries contain a large amount of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (also known as OP-1). Studies have shown that this substance is able to stimulate bone growth, accelerating the speed with which fractures and breaks can heal. The procedure was an apparent success, with Reimers able to jump back into the action after just four weeks - two weeks sooner than originally anticipated. Taking Viagra Photo: Tim.Reckmann/via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 The erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra isn't normally associated with athletic performance. However, evidence suggests that the drug may benefit athletes who are playing at high altitudes. Viagra increases blood flow, not only to the genitals, but also to the lungs, leading to more oxygen being pumped around the body. When an athlete's blood is more oxygenated, fatigue and injuries may be less likely to occur at higher altitudes. NFL star Brandon Marshall claimed that he knew of several players who used the drug, while soccer teams have allegedly used it when playing in mountainous regions in South America. Layering Cheese On Bruises Photo: FASTILY/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 Lyndsey Vonn created some confusion in 2010, when she said in an interview that she had used cheese to treat bruising on her leg from a skiing accident. The U.S. Olympian confirmed that she had used topfen cheese curd on her shin in an effort to reduce swelling and prevent further discoloration, so that she could be in peak condition for the Vancouver Games just a few months later. Experts can't find evidence to suggest that cheese would be of any benefit. However, certain enzymes in some cheeses can have anti-inflammatory properties. Zapping The Brain With Electricity Halo Neuroscience's headphone-like device uses a technique known as transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) to send electric shocks into the brain. It does this using tiny electrodes in the form of miniature spikes that press just above the ears, allowing the device to zap the area with small pulses. Studies have shown that tDCS can have positive effects; it can reduce stress during training and help injured players to return to training sooner. Golden State Warrior basketballer James Michael McAdoo used it in 2016, along with several of his teammates. Injecting Hamstrings With Goat's Blood Soccer players often make headlines for their alternative injury treatments. One controversial method that has become popular with players is to inject goat’s blood into hamstrings to help stimulate healing. Soccer stars like Arjen Robben and Peter MacDonald have undergone the procedure multiple times. Pulling Out Wisdom Teeth Little evidence supports the claims that removing one's wisdom teeth will solve muscle problems in the lower body, but that hasn’t stopped numerous sports stars from visiting the dentist to do just that. Theoretically, those suffering with dental problems will hold their heads in unusual positions to numb the pain. This leads to additional pressure being placed on the neck and spine, which causes extra stress on the leg muscles. Removing the troublesome teeth supposedly removes this pressure, and is believed to lessen the chance of hamstring problems. Australian rugby player Rod Davies had his wisdom teeth removed to address leg injuries in 2010. Using A Mineral Pouch Baseball players Darin Erstad and Steve Finley claim that they don't believe the pouches of minerals they wear around their necks are magical. However, they never take the field without them. When Finley forgot his pouch one game, he suffered an injury. According to Layers of Light International, which put together the specially-made pouches, they offer a "layer of protection against many harmful external energy intruders that attack our bodies on a daily basis." Freezing The Body With Cryotherapy Cryotherapy began as a treatment for people with chronic illnesses and conditions, like severe arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, its beneficial effects in helping to ease pain and aid in recovery has led athletes to begin using the therapy as well. Many Premier League soccer clubs in the U.K. have their own cryotherapy chambers, which expose the bodies of users to temperatures as low as -220°F for around two minutes. Jermain Defoe is a huge proponent of the cryotherapy sessions, believing they may be significantly extending his playing career. Sticking On Leeches Bloodsucking leeches have been used in medicine since ancient times, though modern medicine has largely replaced them. Even though leeches may seem archaic today, they are still used in some special cases. For example, Everton striker Louis Saha used leeches to treat a longstanding knee injury in 2010. According to the soccer player, the treatment dramatically eased his pain by reducing the inflammation around the knee. Using Faith Healing English soccer player Glenn Hoddle was known for his belief in spiritualism and faith healing during his career. When he became the manager of the English national team in the '90s, he continued to employ the services of his favorite faith healer, Eileen Drewery. According to former player Gary Neville, Hoddle would insist on players having regular sessions with Drewery while on duty, and had staff walk around the field counter-clockwise in order to create positive energy and prevent injuries. Source
