Rugby has always been part of Britain’s sporting soul — a game of courage, power, and teamwork. But as awareness grows around head injuries and their long-term effects, a new question is emerging:
Could post-match recovery play a role in protecting players from serious neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND)?
Head Injuries and Motor Neurone Disease: The Growing Concern
Recent studies have found that former professional rugby players are up to 15 times more likely to develop MND than people who have never played contact sports. Repeated head knocks, even when they don’t cause a concussion, may trigger subtle inflammation and biochemical changes in the brain.
Over time, these micro-injuries could contribute to the breakdown of motor neurons — the very cells responsible for movement and coordination.
For many, this revelation has been a wake-up call. While rule changes and better head injury assessments are helping, there’s still an urgent need for new recovery strategies that go beyond physical rest.
A New Idea: Supporting Brain Recovery After Every Game
The hours immediately after a match could be vital for how the brain responds to impact. Yet, post-match recovery currently focuses on muscles, hydration, and nutrition — not the brain.
This is where the Oralift Neuro concept may offer a fresh approach.
Building on the science behind the original Oralift device, Oralift Neuro is being developed to explore how gentle stimulation and relaxation of the jaw muscles might encourage neurological recovery.
By helping the body relax and potentially improve local blood flow, the goal is to create a more supportive environment for the brain’s natural repair mechanisms during this crucial recovery window.
From Cosmetic Origins to Neuro-Recovery Potential
The original Oralift was designed to help restore facial balance and rejuvenation by reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.
Now, with Oralift Neuro, that same principle is being reimagined — focusing not on appearance, but on helping athletes recover from head impacts in contact sports such as rugby, boxing, and football.
Although Oralift Neuro is still in development, its vision is clear:
To make post-game brain recovery as routine as stretching or cooling down.
Looking to the Future
The relationship between head injuries, concussions, and neurodegenerative diseases like MND is complex — but undeniable.
Oralift Neuro represents a forward-looking idea: a simple, non-invasive step that could one day fit naturally into every athlete’s recovery routine.
A short 10-minute Oralift Neuro session after each game might, in time, help players support their brain health in the same way they already care for their muscles.
As research continues, one thing is certain — the future of sports recovery must include the brain.