From the Sports Opinionated Backpages:

The Placenta Cure: the Bloody Truth

We mammals have the Holy Grail and don’t even know it. While many have searched for eternal life, it is becoming apparent it may have actually been inside of us all along. Well, inside of a pregnant woman anyway.

Quick anatomy lesson for those who are clueless or were absent (unconscious) during a live birth and missed the opportunity to witness the bloody miracle that is childbirth:

The placenta is the organ that connects the baby to the mother inside the womb. The umbilical cord is the reason why some of us sport an "innie" or an "outie" belly button. However, the reason for having a placenta isn’t only to provide us humans with a reason to poke fun or have a lint deposit handy. It plays the vital role of nourishing the developing fetus by supplying oxygen and nutrients while filtering out toxins and it plays a role in the development of the child’s immune system.

Why all this anatomy talk you ask? Well it seems our friend the placenta may play another role. A role which, leave it to athletes to find an edge, may have some usefulness in sport.

This week while on international duty for his country, Arsenal soccer player Robin Van Persie had suffered an ankle injury while planting his foot. The injury he sustained usually sidelines an athlete for 8 to 12 weeks. This must be eating at Van Persie. He has been in great form this season helping lead the Gunners to a share of second place. Arsenal has scored the most goals (36) in the Premiership and his seven leads the team in scoring. A player known for been injured often, Van Persie has been enjoying a relatively injury-free season, until now.

Being desperate to return to his form, Van Persie has decided to fly to Belgrade to seek the help of a woman whose form of physiotherapy is much different than traditional Western medicine. Her name is Mariana Kovacevic and she is becoming quite popular in the sporting world. Watch out Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil, you may have some competetion.

Her unorthodox, in-house treatments are designed to help tissues heal faster. Some of her techniques are standard practice in the realm of sports medicine, while others remain controversial. Whatever the case may be, it has become clear that word is spreading fast about her practice. Some Premiership players have already sought her services and it seems that some of them have spoken to Van Persie. It was these players' testimonials that pursuaded him to follow their lead.

The technique that has received the most attention and is the most controversial involves massaging placental fluid directly onto the affected area. Before you get a bit grossed out, don’t worry it’s not human placental fluid, it’s from a horse uterus. Phew, big sigh of relief.

She has remained secretive in her techniques as she is currently in high demand. Some sports clubs are even trying to employ her as part of their medical staff. There is no doubt that the athletes (so far only European soccer players) that have seen her for muscle injuries are very vocal in their appreciation for her services. Many players stated that she drastically cut recovery times and some athletes even stated that their careers have been extended. Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera, Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Nigel De Jong, Ajax’s Marko Pantelic, PSV Eindhoven's Orlando Engelaar and Inter’s Dejan Stankovic are to name a few of her past patients who continue to sing her praises. So, it may not be the Holy Grail as I previously stated however her track record does involve successfully treating soft muscle injuries in some rather high caliber athletes.

Trained in physiotherapy and sports medicine, she does use some standard Western medicine techniques. However it’s the use of placental fluid that seems to be the standard form of her treatment and the most unique.

The placenta is rich in many nutrients, including iron, naturally occuring prostaglandins (anti-inflammatory properties) and stem cells. It remains unclear which substance if not all, play a role in accelareting soft tissue repair.

In Eastern regions, the placenta has already found its way into medical and health related products. These include treating postpartum depression, iron deficiency and even beauty products. As such, what will it take for Western medicine to adapt a more placenta-friendly environment, instead of inceration? I guess we have to wait and see if a representative of Pfizer knocks on the delivery room door with a cheque.

"Big Pharma", always looking out for what is best for us, that is, those of us who can afford it!