{"id":862,"date":"2020-12-06T20:31:57","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T02:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=862"},"modified":"2023-01-31T08:17:58","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T14:17:58","slug":"return-to-bjj-judo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/return-to-bjj-judo\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Return to BJJ or Judo After Injury: A Step-By-Step Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article I\u2019ll share with you the step-by-step treatment planning process I use to help return to BJJ or Judo after injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the logical progression for an injured grappling athlete to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restore capacity and load tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintain sport-specific movement skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevent an injury from occurring the first time back on the mats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before we get started with the first step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand the cause and effect of your injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re injured, the best thing you can do is work with a physio who understands the sport-specific demands of BJJ or Judo so they can advise you of your starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3 main reasons for this is that they can help you identify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Restrictions<\/strong>. There might be things to avoid in case they worsen or delay recovery (whether it\u2019s post fracture or surgery or even ‘tendonitis’)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Specific deficits<\/strong>. Unless you identify the specific strength or mobility deficits you need to address, you\u2019ll be wasting your time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Contributing factors<\/strong>. It\u2019s worth understanding what caused the injury in the first place (so you don\u2019t make the same mistakes again)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    On that last point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sometimes accidents just happen… but in most cases injuries are preventable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, I hurt the meniscus in my knee while doing a triangle choke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The reason I hurt myself wasn\u2019t just about the person stacking me, but also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. My technique was sloppy and I was front on (instead of looking in the ear)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. I didn\u2019t have enough external rotation flexibility in my left hip to compensate for my poor positioning<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n

      [that\u2019s 2 things to work on that aren\u2019t even directly related to rehabbing my knee]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Read<\/strong>: Grappling With a Meniscus Tear: Returning to BJJ After Knee Injury<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So bear in mind that depending on the injury and the person\u2019s goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n