Is bjj dangerous? Do you want to know the common injuries in BJJ and how to avoid them?
Many people practice a martial art such as BJJ for different reasons.
Some people train because of their sport, while others do it for reasons related to their well-being, exercise, build their strength, self-defense, or control.
BJJ involves training the intellect and the body and applying it to combat or fights.
Because of this, some talk about or even doubt its safety.
If you have these questions in mind, let us answer those here.
BJJ Injuries
So what are some common bjj injuries?
One of the sports that is seeing the most rapid growth all over the globe is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is about grappling and ground fighting rather than striking, making it known as the “gentle art.”
Braizilian jiu jitsu is one of the safer martial arts to practice with full force. Since it doesn’t involve any striking anyone of any skill level can safely practice bjj. However, injuries are always inevitable if you engage in a contact sport or martial art.
There is still a chance of harm because of the techniques performed and your situation.
One might get injuries when practicing or competing in Jiu Jitsu.
So what are some BJJ injuries?
Fingers, elbows, knees, ears, ankles, and toes are all potential injury sites. Others experience it in their ribs, shoulders, neck, or back.
| Injury Sites | Common Injuries | Causes |
| Fingers | Fracture, Dislocation, Sprain | Grappling, Gripping, Locks |
| Elbows | Hyperextension, Dislocation, Fracture | Armbar |
| Knees | Sprain, Strain, Fracture, Dislocation | Leglocks, Sweeps, Takedowns |
| Ears | Cauliflower ear/BJJ cauliflower ear | Grappling |
| Ankle and Foot | Sprains, Breaks | Ankle Locks, Grappling, |
These are the most vulnerable parts of your body since they are the ones that are used against attacks.
Even though there is some risk of getting hurt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it’s not as much as in other martial arts that involve strikes.
Instead, do BJJ with good techniques, and don’t be too hard on yourself while training.
Make sure to get checked out right away if you hurt yourself. If injuries are found and treated quickly, they don’t have to happen as often.
Stick around because we will discuss the other injuries further in a while.
Is Jiu Jitsu Hard
When you hear Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, do you think of it as a hard martial art to learn? Do you think of it as a sport appropriate only for big and strong people?
Everything starts hard before it eventually becomes easy. Putting in effort and perseverance is required for everything.
Indeed, learning BJJ will be difficult in the beginning, especially when you don’t have a background in martial arts.
While BJJ is hard, with consistent training you can expect to learn the basics at ~6 months to 1 year.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a combat style that is grappling-based and emphasizes the use of locks, chokeholds, takedowns, and many other submission techniques to gain control over an opponent.
Constant training or practice can help you improve and will eventually give you enjoyment and confidence.
Now, is Jiu Jitsu only for the big and strong ones?
No, It is not necessary to be in good physical shape or ability to begin training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It is a form of contact sport open to everybody, regardless of size, capacity level, or age.
Mastering the different BJJ techniques and combinations requires time, patience, and willingness to explore and leave your comfort zone. Some might be frustrated about their progress, but always remember why you started it.
“It’s Not How Good Your Jiu-Jitsu is but How Good Jiu-Jitsu is For You.”
-Caio Terra
Martial Arts Dangerous? Is There A Risk With Practicing Any Martial Art?
Even though many people want to learn Martial Arts, a lot are still unsure about their safety and think it is dangerous.
Martial arts are combat sports practiced for various purposes, including self-defense, competition, and the development of one’s body, mind, and soul.
Since different types of martial arts are sports that require fighting, various factors, accidents, and injuries could happen, mainly if applied in real-life situations.
But training for Martial Arts is safe in modern days. There are available gears and equipment that are used for protection.
In some styles, such as BJJ, tap-outs or submitting to an opponent can be used whenever they are locked in difficult situations.
In a competition, referees are present to step into the fight to reduce the risk of serious injury to the athletes competing.
So while some question its safety, martial arts can keep us safe when used for self-defense.
Martial Arts might bring some risks, but it benefits our well-being with all the training and exercises.
Safest martial art?
Is there a safest martial art?
When you start training in martial arts, you take on its commitment and dangers. And every style has its own.
However, there are some forms of martial arts that are, despite their effectiveness, a little less dangerous than others.
Some types do not include hitting or striking each other such as BJJ, Judo, and Aikido- which are grappling-based martial arts.
Nevertheless, what is important here is finding the martial art that best suits you. It might reduce the risks when you’re comfortable and confident with what you do.
Common Jiu Jitsu Injuries
Jiu-Jitsu is now one of the most popular forms of martial arts worldwide.
Even though it is about ground fighting and grappling, which does not incorporate striking, the sport’s intricate skill involves an inherent risk of injuries.
Here are the common Injuries in Jiu Jitsu:
BJJ Rib injury
Typically, a rib injury may be identified by a cracking sound it produces. This might have your ribs cracked or broken. Breathing, coughing, and touching it become excruciatingly painful if this happens.
You can also get bruised ribs in BJJ. But bruises heal in a little less time than other injuries.
BJJ Neck pain
When fighters are in an uncomfortable position or trying to break loose out of a headlock, they increase their risk of neck pains or injuries.
A human being’s neck is susceptible. A strain/tear in a muscle or ligament in the neck is a cervical sprain caused by a fall.
If you have discomfort through your neck and a loss of feeling in your arms, you likely have a herniated disk.
A neck injury known as whiplash may happen when the head is rapidly thrust back and forth in rapid succession. Falls are the most common cause of this condition.
The treatment options for neck pain resulting from jiu-jitsu can include strength exercises if the injury isn’t severe. If symptoms are more concerning, it’s best to consult a doctor
BJJ Back pain
When you train in Jiu Jitsu, you risk hurting your back. As a result, you may wind up suffering from back discomfort.
The most frequent injury sustained when practicing BJJ is to the lower back.
A weak core significantly contributes to most cases of lower back pain. BJJ utilizes the core all the time, which is why it sometimes weakens.
Some experience muscle spasms and pain in the upper back due to grappling or being stacked.
BJJ Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain may be brought on by inappropriate posture while fighting or by overusing the shoulder joint for submission.
Shoulder trauma is common in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It often occurs during a fight when the wounded person has fallen and landed straight on their shoulder.
This may lead to issues with the rotator cuff or any of the other parts of your shoulder.
The best way to avoid these injuries is to practice Jiu Jitsu while being careful simultaneously.
Exercise- do warm-ups before starting in an environment with safety precautions.
If injuries are obtained or experiencing symptoms, be sure to have them checked by your coach or, better yet, get them checked by a doctor.
BJJ injury rate
A study by Scoggin et al. of The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine shows that out of the 5022 exposures to injury risk in BJJ competitions, 46 were injuries.
Orthopedic injuries were the most common category and accounted for 78.3% or 36 of all injuries.
| INJURY SITE | NO. OF INJURIES |
| Elbow | 14 |
| Knee | 7 |
| Foot and Ankle | 5 |
| Hand | 4 |
| Shoulder | 4 |
| Hip | 1 |
| Cervical | 1 |
Is BJJ Dangerous – Conclusion
Any sport or physical activity, including martial arts like BJJ, comes with a risk of injury. However, there are ways to minimize those risks and stay safe while training.
The most common injuries in BJJ usually occur during sparring or grappling sessions when two people work together to achieve a particular goal.
It’s essential always to be aware of your surroundings and your opponent’s movements so you can avoid putting yourself in a dangerous position. If you find yourself injured, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately.
If you have any questions about the safety of BJJ or want help creating a training plan that minimizes the risk of injury, contact us for a free consultation.
We would be happy to discuss our program with you and answer any questions you may have.
Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
