Sports injuries are a major source of distress for any player whether you're a pro or grassroots football. Whatever the level, it's important to manage and treat injuries in the most effective manner to prevent re-injury. Numerous methods and therapeutic procedures have been introduced in recent years for the management of sports injuries; with Magnetic Resonance Therapy gaining popularity.

What is Magnetic Resonance Therapy?

Magnetic Resonance, which is commonly used to find problems, has evolved as a treatment measure due to potential therapeutic effects on the body. It is a type of Transcranial magnetic stimulation, where the frequency used for the magnetic rays are according to the patient's heart rate and alpha band frequency [1] Moreover, the strength of the Magnetic Resonance may vary from person to person, depending on the purpose of use and treatment. Studies have have been conducted around Magnetic Resonance Therapy influence on bone formation and relieve pain caused by traumatic injuries or connective tissue disorders. [2]

How does Magnetic Resonance Therapy work?

Before getting magnetic resonance therapy (MRT), a diagnostic test is done, usually by a physiotherapist or consultant. After which, patients can be seated or will lay down in a machine, allowing a trained professional to focus the electromagnet around the target area of your body.

The electromagnetic field current varies between 6 to 8 seconds, after which it is left on a rest period. Hence, in a usual 45-minute appointment, 30 minutes are for stimulation of the magnetic waves. The waves from magnetic resonance aim to directly affect the hydrogen protons of cells and redirect signals from damaged tissue. This is a noninvasive therapy, patients are able go home at the end of treatment.

What are the Benefits of Magnetic Resonance Therapy?

Studies conducted on Magnetic Resonance Therapy have proved it to have a plethora of benefits for the body and not only helps prevent disability of disease but effectively manages and treats several conditions as well. This is because it has the ability to cause the proliferation of cells, which facilitates the repair process in the body. [2] Moreover, it is also found to be effective for pain, as one study shows that the individuals who were treated with Magnetic resonance therapy for three months were able to experience a significant reduction in back pain. [3]

Other than its analgesic and healing properties in the body, studies have also found Magnetic Resonance Therapy to be effective for the management of osteoporosis and help reduce the risk of increased fractures caused by the condition. It does this by preventing the formation of osteophytes, which are rough body projections around the joints, which do not only limit the mobility of the individual but also cause pain. [4]

Conditions MRT has been used to treat

Damage to ligaments & tendons
Damaged cartilage
Joint osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Simple fractures

Treating injuries and metabolic conditions of the body with Magnetic Resonance Therapy has no recorded side effects associated with its use when professionally administered. You'd imagine passing high-frequency magnetic waves into the body could negatively affect some cells or even lead to damage; however, this is not the case with MRT. Furthermore, one such study shows that treating human cells with nine days of Magnetic Resonance Therapy not only reduced the risk of cell death or inhibited cell viability but increased the replication rate of cells, increasing the total cell count of the treated area. [2]

The Effectiveness of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for sports injuries

Metabolic processes in the body are regulated by the combination of magnetic and electromagnetic waves. A healthy body without any injuries has the ability to generate its own signals and cause the repair and regeneration of cells. However, when a tissue is damaged due to a sports injury, it prevents the body from producing its unique signals, which leads to a reduction in cell repair and regeneration. This leads to pain and stiffness, both of which can negatively impact players, no matter what type of sports they play.

The normal healing of the body after an injury includes the following steps:

Destruction: Destruction is the initial response after an injury due to the increased inflammatory activity in the body; it may last for 2 to 5 days.
Proliferation: Proliferation is the next step, which may also be referred to as the repair phase. This may last from 5 to 21 days.
Remodelling: The third step is characterised by remodelling, which may also be referred to as the recovery phase. This may last from 20 to 60 days. [5]

So, the normal healing time after an injury can take weeks to months. The slow metabolic rate of the cells of the damaged tissue in the body isn't something a player can afford. Something to accelerate healing – like Magnetic Resonance Therapy is becoming a favorite for sports injuries.

The positive effects of Magnetic resonance therapy in injured tissues were also evaluated in a study conducted on white rabbits. The results of the study showed that the rabbits who had received knee injuries when treated with Magnetic Resonance Therapy for six weeks had significant improvement in their injuries. [6]

 
By being able to accelerate cell proliferation and signalling without interfering with its processes makes Magnetic Resonance Therapy safe for use and efficient for the treatment of sports injuries.