Judo Injuries: Treatment, Therapy and Rehabilitation

Judo is has many useful values for life. However in a fighting situation, things do not always go the gentle way. Judo is more than a sport, but most of all it is a competitive sport.

Clashes like Grol vs Meyer at the European Champions may not belong to the values that we cherish, but on the other side they do belong to the tension and the excitement of judo these days within the 100 days countdown for the Tokyo Games. This is why we love this sport.

Unfortunately, like all contact sports, you can get hurt when doing judo moves. From knee and shoulder injuries to concussions and fractures, judo practitioners can injure themselves when playing the sport. The good news is that with proper treatment and rehab, it is possible to heal and recover from accidents and falls caused by judo.

Treatment And Surgery

Although serious injuries in judo are rare as the condition of athletes is optimal, nonetheless you can still get injured. Athletes are used get cuts and bruises with judo. However, they are usually superficial, and are expected to heal quickly. Severe injuries, on the other hand, may need stitches to enable the wounds to heal. For head and back injuries resulting from repeated and consistent falling, stretching, twisting and lifting, a combination of medication, rest and physiotherapy can help.

You know the situation when athletes land on their neck, in the past even to prevent a score. To illustrate, chin tucking is a simple yet effective exercise that can be done at home to improve the head and neck alignment. The chin tuck exercise helps to enhance strength and flexibility of the neck and ease the pain you may be feeling, including headaches, muscle pain, and numbness in the extremities. However, to prevent or minimize future injuries, it is vital to practice falling techniques and do injury prevention exercises when warming up to protect the shoulders, knees, back and head.

Rehabilitation And Recovery 

Slipped discs and spinal injuries can also happen when practicing judo. While rest and anti-inflammatory medications will be tried first, acute injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Caused by high speed impact, awkward landings and falls, spinal injuries may be treated by prostheses and medications to boost nerve cell regeneration or enhance the function of the nerves. Recovery may take a long time, and damage to the spinal cord is irreversible. The back must be rested for a long period of time to promote healing.

Rehabilitation will be the work of a team of practitioners including a physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, rehab psychologist, and a doctor specializing in physical medicine or spinal cord injuries. Recuperation therapies will focus on strengthening existing muscle function, revitalizing fine motor skills, and acquiring adaptive skills for day-to-day tasks. You will also get educated about your injury and how to prevent complications, as well as learn new skills including the use of equipment and technologies.

Judo may be a gentle sport that promotes using the least amount of force to destabilise an opponent, but it can still cause injuries and accidents. By properly recognising your injuries and getting the right diagnosis, treatment, medication and rehabilitation, it is possible to enjoy the sport and reduce its harmful effects.