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Squeezing Leg Bones May Aid Brain Injury Recovery
Confirmed
In Short: Scientists in China have discovered a surprising potential method for aiding brain injury recovery: squeezing the shinbones.
Scientists in China have discovered a surprising potential method for aiding brain injury recovery: squeezing the shinbones. According to a new experiment published in ScienceAlert, applying controlled pressure to the shinbones of mice and pigs resulted in better survival rates and improved recovery of movement and memory abilities after brain injuries.
The researchers, who were inspired by the observation that fractures can heal unusually quickly in some people with serious brain injuries, used a device to apply gentle, precisely controlled pressure to the animals' shinbones.
This unconventional approach suggests that there may be a line of communication between the brain and the shinbone, with messages traveling through the blood. The study challenges the conventional understanding that recovery from brain injuries begins only inside the skull.
Patrick Mahomes, the NFL quarterback, suffered a torn ACL injury during the 2025 season, and his recovery process has been closely watched. Mahomes' recovery could potentially benefit from this new method, although it remains to be seen how applicable these findings are to human athletes.
Travis Kelce, Mahomes' teammate, has been inspired by Mahomes' recovery process to be the best version of himself heading into the 2026 season. Kelce's dedication highlights the importance of recovery in professional sports.
In another development, Jaxson Dart, the quarterback for the New York Giants, suffered a knee injury that initially did not seem to threaten his season. However, the injury is worse than initially feared, and Dart will miss the rest of the season, though he is expected to make a full recovery by 2027.
Ole Miss Rebels star running back Kewan Lacy has received an update on his shoulder injury, which occurred during a game against LSU. The injury is not expected to be long-term, but Lacy is uncertain for the Florida game on Saturday.
Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion, has decided to vacate his title due to an eye injury that has sidelined him since last October. Aspinall stated, 'I have always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen.
Sam Darnold, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, is expected to miss Week 2's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a glute injury. The timetable for his recovery is not clear, with some reports suggesting he could miss 4-6 weeks.
The findings from the Chinese study could have significant implications for the treatment of brain injuries, potentially offering a new avenue for recovery that involves the entire body, not just the brain.
The researchers are now investigating whether bone can send helpful messages back to the brain, potentially opening up new avenues for treating brain injuries.
What this adds
The study's findings are preliminary and need further validation in human trials.
The exact mechanism by which bone pressure affects brain recovery remains unclear.
What's confirmed
- Scientists in China have discovered a surprising potential method for aiding brain injury recovery: squeezing the shinbones. According to a new experiment published in ScienceAlert, applying controlled pressure to the shinbones of mice and pigs resulted in better survival rates and improved recovery of movement and memory abilities after brain injuries.
- The researchers, who were inspired by the observation that fractures can heal unusually quickly in some people with serious brain injuries, used a device to apply gentle, precisely controlled pressure to the animals' shinbones.
- This unconventional approach suggests that there may be a line of communication between the brain and the shinbone, with messages traveling through the blood. The study challenges the conventional understanding that recovery from brain injuries begins only inside the skull.
- Patrick Mahomes, the NFL quarterback, suffered a torn ACL injury during the 2025 season, and his recovery process has been closely watched. Mahomes' recovery could potentially benefit from this new method, although it remains to be seen how applicable these findings are to human athletes.
- Travis Kelce, Mahomes' teammate, has been inspired by Mahomes' recovery process to be the best version of himself heading into the 2026 season. Kelce's dedication highlights the importance of recovery in professional sports.
- In another development, Jaxson Dart, the quarterback for the New York Giants, suffered a knee injury that initially did not seem to threaten his season. However, the injury is worse than initially feared, and Dart will miss the rest of the season, though he is expected to make a full recovery by 2027.
- Ole Miss Rebels star running back Kewan Lacy has received an update on his shoulder injury, which occurred during a game against LSU. The injury is not expected to be long-term, but Lacy is uncertain for the Florida game on Saturday.
- Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion, has decided to vacate his title due to an eye injury that has sidelined him since last October. Aspinall stated, 'I have always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen.
- Sam Darnold, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, is expected to miss Week 2's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a glute injury. The timetable for his recovery is not clear, with some reports suggesting he could miss 4-6 weeks.
- The findings from the Chinese study could have significant implications for the treatment of brain injuries, potentially offering a new avenue for recovery that involves the entire body, not just the brain.
- The researchers are now investigating whether bone can send helpful messages back to the brain, potentially opening up new avenues for treating brain injuries.
What's still developing
- At first glance, searching for a way to heal an injured brain in the leg makes little sense.
- Before his injury last season, Mahomes completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while also rushing for a career-high 422 yards and five more scores on the ground.
- Dart exited in the first quarter after the Rams’ Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart sandwiched his left knee, though it did not look as if the injury would threaten his season.
- The Rebels dodged a long-term injury, but Saturday’s trip to the Swamp carries real uncertainty.
- Williams is expected to miss an “extended period of time” for recovery, according to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania.
- The timetable for Darnold’s recovery isn’t exactly clear, with NBC’s Mike Florio reporting it to be in the 4-6 week range, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that returning for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders is still potentially in play.
- “Kewan Lacy is officially questionable to return with what they’re calling an upper-body injury,” ESPN’s Laura Rutledge said when providing an update.
- Until Chris Ilitch relents control or shows that his priority is to win, it’s hard to justify anyone wanting to leave who truly wants to win as their top priority, even if winning in/with/for Detroit is at the top of their list. *hard not to justify anyone wanting to leave who truly wants to win* And Joey Porter’s had a bad back all along The timing of this injury is curious, but it could just be a coincidence.