Mark Coughlan receives radical hamstring treatment
Sam Edmund | June 04, 2008
INJURY-PRONE Richmond midfielder Mark Coughlan endured 17 needle injections every 48 hours for two weeks in a last-ditch German mission.
Coughlan, who returned from Munich on Monday, had 10 injections in his spine and seven in his left hamstring at each session with soft-tissue specialist Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfarth.
Couglan was injected 102 times with Actovegin, which improves the circulation of oxygen in the blood and is manufactured using an extract of calf's blood, and Traumeel, which offers anti-inflammatory relief of soft-tissue trauma.
Coughlan has suffered repeated hamstring strains after coming back from a second knee reconstruction. He has not played a senior game since Round 12, 2006.
But the 2003 best-and-fairest winner said he positive of overcoming a chronic hamstring problem that threatens to end his 83-game career.
Related LinksVideo: Coughlan on his treatment
"I've always backed our medical staff and they came up with the idea to send me over there," Coughlan said yesterday.
"I think they were sort of thinking that from my point of view, I may want to go and try something different so it's certainly been, for me, quite positive.
"Even just getting over there and getting some alternative treatment and reading into this bloke and seeing how much success he's had with athletes and seeing some athletes come through the door that have been to him before and had a lot of success gives you a bit of self belief."
Coughlan had his first run back at Punt Rd yesterday with strength and conditioning coach Warren Kofoed, performing a series of running drills designed around hamstring recovery.
Kofoed, who partnered Coughlan to Munich, documented the player's treatment with a digital camera.
Coughlan said he was hopeful of playing for Coburg in the VFL by the end of the month.
He said his wretched run never caused him to seriously contemplate quitting.
"I guess it makes you want to come back more. I've had long-term injuries that have ruled me out before the season has even begun," he said.
"You've got too much time to think so you do think about those things, but it has never really been an option of mine.
"The body generally feels good. I haven't really had a chance to give it a good run yet, but at this stage it's been a success.
"I won't know until I get a full week of training in and play again and get a bit of confidence back in the body, but at this stage I do feel quite good."
Dr Muller-Wohlfarth has treated soccer stars Ronaldo and Michael Owen.
He also helped Geelong's Max Rooke overcome hamstring woes.
Coughlan said he would contact Rooke in the coming days.
Kofoed said the club had approved the treatment because it wanted to give Coughlan the best chance of playing out the season.
"There's not a lot known about it and he hasn't been published in any scientific journals or medical journals so I think there's still a bit of mystery about it," Kofoed said.
"But what he does have is an excellent track record and a number of case studies that are very positive."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23807096-19742,00.htmlRadical treatment injects new hope for Coughlan
Len Johnson | June 4, 2008
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/treatment-injects-hope-for-coughlan/2008/06/03/1212258825861.html
