Athletes And Emu Oil
A new way to
relieve pain, strains, stiffness
DALLAS,
TEXAS --- Jeff Berthelsen, a 26-year-old triathlete, has had chronic knee
problems since high school. After intensive training sessions, using emu
oil on his knees helps alleviate pain and stiffness. Ronald Thomas, a
senior triathlete, also uses emu oil to maintain flexibility and for back
pain after competition.
Members of the American Emu Association have had similar reports from
other athletes across the nation and from collegiate and professional
sports teams, as well. “We’re finding more athletes using emu-based
creams and emu oil as part of their training regimen and for
rehabilitation,” said Neil Williams, president of the AEA. “And
because emu oil is relatively new in the marketplace, most people are
surprised about how effective it is.”
Doug Atkinson, a team trainer with the National Basketball Association for
30 years, said he learned about the anti-inflammatory properties of emu
oil in 1992. One of the Dallas Mavericks, Fat Lever, had undergone surgery
on both knees and after two years in rehabilitation, was still unable to
play because of swelling and inflammation.
“Within six weeks after using emu oil, the inflammation and swelling was
gone and Lever was able to practice and play without limitation,” said
Atkinson, who has retired and now owns a wellness firm that markets emu-based
products.
One of the trainer’s emu oil products is used throughout the NBA, by NFL
teams and major league baseball teams as well by as high school and
college athletes. “Emu oil acts as a transdermal carrier, delivering
relief directly to the muscle or joint,” Atkinson said, “which also
makes it effective for arthritis pain.”
Allen Hurst, an emu producer, was a trainer in the National Football
League for 22 years before retiring to his ranch. “We were always
getting new products to try,” he said, “and because we were dealing
with well-conditioned athletes, if a product worked, it was extremely
effective.”
Hurst found that emu oil was beneficial in the training room because it
penetrated the skin rapidly, as proven in laboratory studies. And when
used with another product – such as an analgesic balm – it enhanced
the performance of that product. “It doesn’t take much oil to
accomplish the relief you need," said the retired trainer, “and it
also effective in wound care.”
|