Dirk Kuyt reveals bizarre reasons behind his fine fitness levels
Published 23:00 28/11/09 By Simon Mullock
Dirk Kuyt has revealed how he recovers from the stresses and strains of the Premier League – by getting hammered.
The Liverpool striker employs a unique team of alternative medical experts to keep him in top shape, including an orthomanual therapist who uses a mallet to realign bones and ligaments in his body.
The therapist – nicknamed “Jan-Jan the hammer man†by Kuyt – puts the Dutchman through gruelling treatment sessions twice a year with the full blessing of the Anfield medical staff.
Kuyt also uses the services of a pedicurist, a faith healer and a haptonomy expert who helps him deal with any emotional turmoil. Many footballers are exploring how alternative medicine can help them combat the physical and emotional effects of the game, but no one has embraced it more than the 29-year-old.
Kuyt explained: “The bigger the club you play for, the bigger the pressure is to stay fit and healthy.
“I have a good team behind me who help me to stay in good condition, including an orthomanual therapist who I call Jan-Jan the hammer man.
“Twice a year I see him. He simply scans the whole of my body to find out which bones and joints are out of place because of all the kicks I get during the season.
“He bangs with a hammer on the places where I have been kicked and puts all the bones, joints and ligaments back into place.
“The more people you have involved in your rehabilitation and medical care the easier it is.
“At the end of the day, you have to be the boss over your own body. My motto is that everybody who works on my body has to be a professional.
“I have to trust each one. I have succeeded in that. I have struck up a close relationship with each one of my medical team.â€
Kuyt has recommended the services of his hammer man to Dutch team-mate Robin van Persie to help him recover from an ankle problem that could sideline him for five months.
The Arsenal striker has employed the services of Belgrade physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic, who uses a horse’s placenta to treat injuries.
Kuyt is open-minded enough to try anything to keep himself fit and has been dubbed Mr Duracell by Kop boss Rafa Benitez.
He pays for all his specialist treatment himself and even brings over faith healer Henk de Gier from Holland before every home game.
Kuyt said: “He sleeps in the same apartment as my mother and other family members.
“Henk floats his hands all over my muscles. It is very strange. His hands start to shake when he is doing it.
“For a lot of people this is beyond belief, but I feel full of energy after a session.â€
Kuyt added: “Liverpool are happy with what I do – and Rafa Benitez will try anything because he is desperate for his players to stay fit and healthy.
“Every time I travel away to play with Holland I know he will be on the phone straight after the game to make sure I have not been injured.
“My mobile rings within minutes of the game ending – I know it is him without even looking at the number.
“He does it with all he players. He wants us to stay in one piece for Liverpool.â€
Published 23:00 28/11/09 By Simon Mullock
Dirk Kuyt has revealed how he recovers from the stresses and strains of the Premier League – by getting hammered.
The Liverpool striker employs a unique team of alternative medical experts to keep him in top shape, including an orthomanual therapist who uses a mallet to realign bones and ligaments in his body.
The therapist – nicknamed “Jan-Jan the hammer man†by Kuyt – puts the Dutchman through gruelling treatment sessions twice a year with the full blessing of the Anfield medical staff.
Kuyt also uses the services of a pedicurist, a faith healer and a haptonomy expert who helps him deal with any emotional turmoil. Many footballers are exploring how alternative medicine can help them combat the physical and emotional effects of the game, but no one has embraced it more than the 29-year-old.
Kuyt explained: “The bigger the club you play for, the bigger the pressure is to stay fit and healthy.
“I have a good team behind me who help me to stay in good condition, including an orthomanual therapist who I call Jan-Jan the hammer man.
“Twice a year I see him. He simply scans the whole of my body to find out which bones and joints are out of place because of all the kicks I get during the season.
“He bangs with a hammer on the places where I have been kicked and puts all the bones, joints and ligaments back into place.
“The more people you have involved in your rehabilitation and medical care the easier it is.
“At the end of the day, you have to be the boss over your own body. My motto is that everybody who works on my body has to be a professional.
“I have to trust each one. I have succeeded in that. I have struck up a close relationship with each one of my medical team.â€
Kuyt has recommended the services of his hammer man to Dutch team-mate Robin van Persie to help him recover from an ankle problem that could sideline him for five months.
The Arsenal striker has employed the services of Belgrade physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic, who uses a horse’s placenta to treat injuries.
Kuyt is open-minded enough to try anything to keep himself fit and has been dubbed Mr Duracell by Kop boss Rafa Benitez.
He pays for all his specialist treatment himself and even brings over faith healer Henk de Gier from Holland before every home game.
Kuyt said: “He sleeps in the same apartment as my mother and other family members.
“Henk floats his hands all over my muscles. It is very strange. His hands start to shake when he is doing it.
“For a lot of people this is beyond belief, but I feel full of energy after a session.â€
Kuyt added: “Liverpool are happy with what I do – and Rafa Benitez will try anything because he is desperate for his players to stay fit and healthy.
“Every time I travel away to play with Holland I know he will be on the phone straight after the game to make sure I have not been injured.
“My mobile rings within minutes of the game ending – I know it is him without even looking at the number.
“He does it with all he players. He wants us to stay in one piece for Liverpool.â€
