{"id":19463,"date":"2023-06-16T20:04:57","date_gmt":"2023-06-17T01:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=19463"},"modified":"2023-06-20T16:26:58","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T21:26:58","slug":"bjj-neck-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-neck-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"BJJ Neck Pain (How To Prevent It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BJJ is in the business of rearranging limbs, and chokes stand at the top of the submission hierarchy. This places the precious neck muscles and cervical vertebrae under frequent pressure and danger, making neck pain inevitable. But how can we better deal with it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a strong and mobile neck can minimize the chance of serious injuries. This is done by isometric and resistance exercises, which strengthen the muscles placed under pressure in many positions and choke holds commonly used in BJJ.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s more to neck pain in BJJ than building strength<\/a>, though, and it’s valuable to know what types of injuries can occur, how to best prevent them, and how to deal with the pain when it inevitably comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What Causes Neck Pain After Jiu-Jitsu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The neck is one of the most commonly injured body parts in jiu-jitsu. The sport’s nature is such that many grips and attacks target the area, and the neck must withstand serious force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be it to resist a grip, to post on the head to prevent being swept, to endure a nasty neck crank<\/a> like the can opener, or some of the many strangulations found in jiu-jitsu, the neck does a lot of heavy work during grappling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The danger is present at every practice and even more so during competition, meaning the chance for an injury or at least pain is high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The neck comprises of 26 muscles keeping the head stable and moving. The factors mentioned above can push them outside their normal range of motion, creating a high risk for soft tissue or spinal injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few possible causes of neck pain, some that should not cause concern and others that can be very dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minor Injuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Usually, neck pain is caused by muscle damage, which is the least dangerous option. The spine is a crucial part of the human body, and the muscles will do everything to protect it, including tightening too much in certain positions to prevent spinal damage. This tightening or spasms cause pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a stiff neck is inevitable, especially early in your journey or if you haven\u2019t trained in a while, because the muscles will get overworked from the constant pulling and tugging. This is nothing to worry about and will pass after a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some neck sprains and strains are also likely to happen during training. A neck sprain affects the muscles and tendons and is usually caused by overstretching the neck. Sprains are caused by ligament damage, commonly caused by neck rotation beyond its possible range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two symptoms are similar: pain and stiffness, pain in the upper back and shoulders, decreased range of motion, headaches, and more. If the pain and discomfort recede daily, they shouldn’t be a cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serious Neck Injuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The neck and spine are too important to neglect, and more serious injuries and conditions require an immediate visit to a doctor or physiotherapist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The injury may have affected the cervical disks or some of the nerves between them, which is cause for serious concern. If you have any of the following symptoms, visit the doctor as soon as possible, and don’t try to tough it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n