Our DC Metro Physical Therapists Provide Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu PT to Help BJJ Athletes Rehabilitate and Avoid Knee Injuries
Knee injury rates are exceptionally high among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, even compared to judo, mixed martial arts (MMA), and other sports requiring similar rotational movements and body contact. Not only are BJJ knee injuries common, but they’re often significant, typically demanding a one-month or longer recovery period. SPARK Physiotherapy's sport-specific BJJ PT program helps martial arts enthusiasts rehabilitate—and pre-habilitate—knee injuries. Discover how our experienced sports fitness physical therapists can help you break the injury-recovery-reinjury cycle and spend more time on the mat.
Grappling and ground fighting are essential to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Unfortunately, while you’re executing throws and takedowns to get your opponent to the ground—and performing knee bars, chokeholds, and other techniques to force them into submission—your knee joints are under considerable stress. As a result, BJJ injuries, especially knee injuries, are common. Here’s what you should know, including how SPARK Physiotherapy’s dedicated Alexandria, Virginia, BJJ PT professionals can help you heal knee injuries, prevent future injury, and even improve your performance.
Common BJJ Knee Injuries
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may be known as the “gentle art,” but it can be tough on your knees and result in injury. The following knee injuries are some of the most common ones our sports fitness physical therapists address.
- ACL injuries. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a strong band of tissue that helps attach your thigh bone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). Direct impact to the knee, rapid directional changes, and sudden stops can cause the ACL to stretch, resulting in a sprain or tear. Our PTs help BJJ athletes rehabilitate ACL sprains and recover from surgical repairs swiftly.
- Knee bursitis. This condition causes bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction and cushion pressure points near the knee joint, to become irritated and inflamed, resulting in painful swelling. We can help you manage swelling and use stretches and exercises to reduce pain, stiffness, and weakness.
- Knee strains. When a muscle or tendon near the knee stretches or tears, a strain is the term for the pain, swelling, restricted mobility, or instability that results. Our experienced fitness PTs can create a training plan to build strength and increase flexibility.
- Meniscus tears. Forcefully twisting or rotating the knee can cause the rubbery cartilage cushioning the shinbone and thighbone to tear, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty extending the knee. We can help you strengthen the knee to restore optimal function, including full knee extension.
Getting Started With BJJ Physical Therapy for Knee Injuries
At SPARK Physiotherapy, our expert sports fitness physical therapists utilize specialized protocols that allow BJJ enthusiasts to continue training, even with an injury. The process is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Injury assessment. You’ll complete a thorough questionnaire about your knee pain and its causes, which will provide your PT with vital information for Step 2.
- Personalized recovery plan. Our BJJ physical therapy professionals create an individualized rehabilitation program based on your knee injury, lifestyle, and overall athletic goals. Each exercise or movement in your program is designed to help you recover and return to the mat as quickly and safely as possible.
- Safe training. Your BJJ PT plan empowers you to become the best you can be, whether at our gym or your home gym.
Additionally, while developing your customized BJJ PT plan, we focus on all the muscle groups practitioners must strengthen or make more flexible to master this popular martial art, not just rehabilitate your knee injury. For example, your BJJ PT knee injury treatment plan could also include exercises for increasing hip flexibility. Learn more about the exciting benefits of sport-specific physical therapy!
Don’t let a BJJ knee injury keep you off the mat. Take it down and force it into submission with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu-specific physical therapy program and customized rehabilitation plan from SPARK Physiotherapy.
