Why Jiu-Jitsu Fighters Should See A Chiropractor? Neck Pain From BJJ!
As a Chiropractor in San Diego as well as a Jiu-Jitsu athlete ( at Atos HQ), I can tell you first hand that you will mostly benefit from seeking Chiropractic treatment. Many sports athletes often sustain injuries to the spine and extremities, especially a sport such as jiu-jitsu since there tends to be a lot of inversion, torsion on the neck, neck cranks, stacking, etc.
All this stress and tension eventually leads to trauma to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other joints. Over time with the trauma, tension, and intensity of the sport there will come a point of breakdown of the tissues. When you hurt a ligament it is called a sprain and when you hurt the muscle its called a strain. Often times these to occur together and in this sport, you see a lot of this in the neck.
Over time with stress, it can lead to degenerative changes to the spine and can increase the risk for poor biomechanics, nerve pain and just pain in general. As we break down the spine, it puts undo pressure on the discs and the nervous system. This is important because the nervous system is the master system and controls everything from the muscles to organs and everywhere in between. So if you want to perform better, feel better, or whatever it is, you must address the nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
In addition, as you develop poor biomechanics your other body parts will begin to compensate. This can lead to more problems within the spine and/or lead to other areas along the kinetic chain being disturbed. For example, if you hurt you knee you may end up using your back or hip more because you are limping. As a result, you develop spasms, tightness, and pain into the lower back or hip. Again, jiu-jitsu is a sport within a lot of complex movements, therefore going to see a Chiropractor to correct you deficient or poor movements will not only help with pain but help you function and feel better. Spinal adjustments and clearing up or poor biomechanics has been shown to help neural stimulation AKA make the nerves and nervous system more awake and active. When this is achieved your body is better adapted to the stresses you place up on it and will lead to better performance.