Nathan Brown goes with the flow
02 December 2005
Herald Sun
Michael Warner
Picture: Jay Town
A REVOLUTIONARY recovery treatment has emerged as a secret behind Lee Freedman's spring carnival success and the rapid recovery of Richmond AFL star Nathan Brown.
Makybe Diva was among several horses in the Freedman stable to benefit from BodyFlow technology on her way to a third straight Melbourne Cup victory.
Brown also credits the technology – which runs a specific electric current through damaged muscle tissue – for his speedy recovery from broken tibia and fibula bones in his right leg, suffered in Round 10 this year.
Freedman and fellow trainers John McArdle and Tony Vasil have used specially designed rugs fitted with electrodes to quicken horses' recovery times between races.
In a signed letter witnessed by the Herald Sun, Freedman said he had seen recovery results in 20 minutes that would normally take 24 hours.
"Some blood results from pre and post-BodyFlow technology have been quite remarkable," Freedman wrote. "It is my impression that BodyFlow technology will greatly contribute to a horse's recovery."
The technology has been approved by Racing Victoria chief steward Des Gleeson and RV head vet John McCaffrey.
Brown, who has a 32cm titanium rod in his leg, has used BodyFlow three times a week since breaking the leg in May.
"I noticed a difference pretty much after three sessions – the swelling came right down," Brown said. "My leg was twice the size of the other one. I'm no medical expert, but it seemed to get the swelling and blood away from where they operated."
Melbourne-based BodyFlow managing director Luke Vassallo has the worldwide distribution rights to the technology, which was invented by a French doctor.The $25,000 machines are manufactured in Germany and were recently adopted by famous Italian soccer club AC Milan.
Medicos for the Socceroos have asked to trial the technology when the squad assembles again in February before the World Cup in Germany in June.
St Kilda star Fraser Gehrig, Melbourne Storm and Wallabies players have also begun experimenting with it.
"The technology is unique, world-first and non-invasive. Trainers like Lee and footballers like Nathan have already seen its benefits," Vassallo said. "This is just the beginning of a multi-faceted medical revolution."
BodyFlow is the subject of studies at the Garvan Institute in Sydney and Flinders University in South Australia.
The sports arena has so far been the biggest beneficiary of the technology which was designed for the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis and for the treatment and management of the debilitating disease lymphoedema, which causes swelling to parts of the body.
Former jockey Simon Marshall is part of the BodyFlow management team and is a true believer of the science.
"It's going to revolutionise the racing industry because when it comes to horses, that little edge makes all the difference," Marshall said.
HOW IT WORKSBodyFlow uses a specific electronic frequency, a replica of the one present in all mammals that targets smooth muscle (tunica media).
Smooth muscle runs inside the wall of arteries, veins and lymphatics.
By stimulating this muscle group, BodyFlow promotes or enhances fluid movement in the right direction.
When there is an excess of fluid, blood or toxins associated with injuries, BodyFlow promotes drainage from the affected area, enhancing, or speeding, the recovery and healing process.
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