Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt has revealed how he allows someone with a hammer to work him over in order to stay fit!

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."

Kuyt also told the Sunday Mirror: "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 the players. He wants us to stay in one piece for Liverpool."