Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a combat sport that relies purely on grappling (no striking allowed) to control your partner and submit them. Submissions can vary from chokes/strangles to joint locks. 

The practice of this martial art holds certain risks as the joints are being taken to end ranges on a consistent, regular basis. The majority of mitigating risks lies in what is in our control. Unfortunately, there is the likelihood of injury occurring, as with all combat sports; this is the nature of the beast.

Are injuries common in BJJ? 

Injuries from jiu-jitsu are very common and can happen in a variety of ways: submissions going too far, e.g. americana, kimura, foot locks; falling bodyweight, and even accumulated stress over time with inadequate recovery/variability to adapt positively to. The majority of practitioners, whether pro athlete or hobbyist, will encounter injuries at some point in their journey of this art.

It’s important to work with an injury specialist that understands BJJ, that level of detail can make all the difference and for the feat of getting back onto the mats as soon as possible, it’s a decision that should not be taken lightly.

Manual therapy is often not enough to get someone back to training or competing, and a specific rehabilitation program will be necessary for anyone wishing to continue with this sport after being injured. 

The devil is in the details. If you accumulate the same injury in BJJ as someone else gets in tennis, although the injury has the same name, it does not distinguish exactly how the rehab process should look or perhaps even the mechanisms behind that injury taking place, to begin with. 

Football and BJJ have very different demands and this is a huge factor to consider when it comes to leaving no stone unturned in the process of recovering from the injury and getting back to your sport.

BJJ injury Assessment 

The assessment process is the benchmark for guiding us in making informed decisions. 

With any injury, it’s not just about how it happened and how severe tissue damage may be, a big proponent is in how it’s presenting itself in the individual. Our focus points as we assess will be to determine what ranges of motion may be affected, what tissues/positions are not tolerating load very well, and what can we start doing that meets you where you’re currently at. 

Through the initial assessment, we can piece together what the rehabilitation process would look like. Applying the correct principles and continuously reassessing is how we ensure we’re on the right track to progression.

Return to sport? 

As we follow the process of injury rehabilitation, we should reach a point where we’re able to do a lot of what is asked of us in the gym. Lifting different kinds of weights, working at different speeds, tolerating loads from plyometric work and so forth. 

With this progress, understanding the mechanisms underlying the injury and tissue healing timelines, we can begin to run through a series of tests that highlight the demands required for grappling. 

As you’ve earned the right to test your injury in this environment, we get a strong gauge on your preparedness to return to the mats. Again, we assess to then make our informed decision. 

More often than not, my recommendation will still be to apply a graded exposure approach to your return to sport. In short, you’ll be drilling before you’ll be full-on sparring and this is something you’ll have clarity on as we work together in the process.

Book a BJJ injury Assessment  in Whitchurch 

At JV Sports Therapy, we offer first hand experience with BJJ injuries and working with professional athletes in the game.

Ready to return to the mats? Book your BJJ injury Assessment today!

For expert advice and tailored treatments, contact us at JV Sports Therapy, your trusted sports therapist in Whitchurch.