Rib injuries are some of the most difficult types of injuries to treat.
They hinder pretty much every aspect of movement and have a tendency to get re-injured easily and also tend to linger due to frequent re-injury.

Here are my 8 tips that will help speed up your recovery and get you back on the mats and back to normal life safely and with less risk of re-injury.

Here are some of the links to videos referenced:

Thoracic CARs https://youtu.be/1M5GxwuHmcs
Cat-Cow https://youtu.be/bKYGb1TgS6o
Open-Book Stretch https://youtu.be/zlCyo3h4TvI

Rotational Strengthening https://youtu.be/UH88rKzsD74

Diaphragmatic Breathing https://youtu.be/DTKbM_t1RN0

General Mobility for the thoracic spine and ribs https://youtu.be/hVfzCE3NgRQ

If you’re interested in working with me for a movement assessment and a unique joint mobility training program that has been integral in improving the joint health, strength, and mobility of my clients and myself, reach out at jiujitsutherapist@gmail.com to set up a free call.

***Check out my hip course and warm-up series available now at https://www.grapplingrx.com/
Code 20off will get you 20% off your purchase

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With training jiu-jitsu, our hips frequently get compressed or we have have been tensing up the hips and hamstring muscles while training which can lead to tightness, stiffness, and even pain.

In this video, I demonstrate a great way to address tight hips and hamstrings.

This technique uses two “Monster Bands” which are thick rubber bands. We start with a hip mobilization to stretch and loosen up the tight hips. This mobilization is great at working out any tightness or pinching at the front of the hips.

Then you will incorporate the second resistance band and bring the leg up to elicit a hamstring stretch. This is a more complete and more effective stretch that not only loosens up the hips but addresses tight hamstrings as well.

You can hold for 10-15 seconds for 3-5 repetitions if you are using this technique as a warm up prior to training or increase the hold times to 30-60 seconds for a cool-down or post-training stretch.

In the video I use a “Rogue Monster Band” but you can find similar items on Amazon.com

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***If you are in the Louisville area and interested in working with me for your recovery or injury-prevention needs then head over to https://mbodilouisville.com or send me a message!

***More videos and exercise tips at https://jiujitsutherapist.com
***Check me out on The Chewjitsu Podcast with my co-host, BJJ Black Belt Nick “Chewy” Albin of www.chewjitsu.net for some great jiu-jitsu conversation and interviews! http://chewjitsu.libsyn.com

***Support the podcast and visit our podcast sponsor “Charlotte’s Web” at https://www.charlottesweb.com/ and use the promo code chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your total CBD and product purchase!

***Check out the knee braces I recommend for BJJ https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fshareasale.com%2Fr.cfm%3Fb%3D706061%26u%3D1416655%26m%3D58066%26urllink%3D%26afftrack%3D&redir_token=8Lgzsd08IwdEhtgt_HQqjdYACLR8MTU0MjMyNTY2N0AxNTQyMjM5MjY3&v=uDTBbV-9vIc&event=video_description

The 90-90 hip position is extremely beneficial and important in improving the mobility of your hips, in increasing your flexibility, and is important in protecting your knees from injury in jiu-jitsu.

The simple way to think about it is that your knees are a hinge joint and primarily bend and straighten. The hips on the other hand are a ball and socket joint. The hips can move forward, backward, outward, inward, rotate, and circumduct.

What this means is, the better you are able to position or maneuver your hips, the better position the knees will be in. This can help with guard retention, maintaining hip joint health, reducing the risk of injury on the knees, and can even help with other nerve issues such as sciatic nerve pain.

In this sequence, I introduce a “contract-relax” technique also known as a “Muscle Energy” technique to allow for an even improved stretch quality and increased effectiveness to the stretches.

In this sequence, we activate the muscles that are being stretched. What this primarily does is “shut off” the receptors in the muscle and allows the muscle to move into a state of brief relaxation which allows you to move into an increased range for the stretch.

You would hold the contraction for approximately 5 seconds and then immediately move into the new range for the stretch for 15 seconds or so. You repeat this per tolerance and comfort. I usually only perform this about 3 times.

Always move to a comfortable range and decrease stretch intensity if it causes pain.

If you are in the Louisville area and interested in working with me for your recovery or injury-prevention needs then head over to https://mbodilouisville.com or send me a message!

More videos and exercise tips at https://jiujitsutherapist.com

Check me out on The Chewjitsu Podcast with my co-host, BJJ Black Belt Nick “Chewy” Albin of www.chewjitsu.net for some great jiu-jitsu conversation and interviews! http://chewjitsu.libsyn.com

Support the podcast and visit our podcast sponsor “Charlotte’s Web” at www.cwhemp.com and use the promo code chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your total CBD and product purchase!

Check out the knee braces I recommend for BJJ https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fshareasale.com%2Fr.cfm%3Fb%3D706061%26u%3D1416655%26m%3D58066%26urllink%3D%26afftrack%3D&redir_token=8Lgzsd08IwdEhtgt_HQqjdYACLR8MTU0MjMyNTY2N0AxNTQyMjM5MjY3&v=uDTBbV-9vIc&event=video_description

Dr. Jonathan Amato PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS is a Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Dr. Amato joins the podcast to discuss his experience working with high level athletes, the techniques and treatment strategies that he finds most effective, and how he works with fighters in the UFC to help them stay healthy.

If you are in the Louisville area and dealing with injuries, reach out at https://www.proformrehab.com/ to see how we can help you get back to training.

More videos and exercise tips at https://jiujitsutherapist.com

Check out The Jiu-Jitsu Therapist Podcast with great conversations on some big names in grappling and injury-prevention and training tips. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/t…

Thanks to my sponsor Defense Soap. Check them out at http://www.defensesoap.com/

Check out the knee braces that I recommend for BJJ: http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=706..

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If you are returning to BJJ or any other activity, I always recommend a gradual return to sport. One of the pieces of advice I give out is to “limit the variables.” This basically means to decrease any external factors out of my control that can increase likelihood of re-injury.

Training in a safer environment to start with is a great idea. Following these steps will help get you back to training safely and with less likelihood for re-injury.

1.Drill independently – start with active movement drills and start rebuilding muscle memory.

2. Avoid painful positions – modify positions based on any pain or difficulty with performing a movement.

3. Partner drilling – start performing techniques with a partner performing light to no resistance. Get used to moving your partner’s body weight and getting the techniques down in a controlled environment.

4. Pass and defend drills – start active grappling with having certain positions in mind and stoping once someone gets a sweep or a submission.

5. Full grappling – still continue to choose your partners wisely, but get back to full training. Start with a few rolls and then increase the amount of training rounds gradually as your body adapts. If you have pain, modify or go back to an earlier step.

These are just general outlines and you may find yourself staying at one area/step longer than others, but the key is safety, preventing re-injury, and getting back to your previous level of function and skill.

If you are in the Louisville area and dealing with injuries, reach out at https://www.proformrehab.com/ to see how we can help you get back to training.

More videos and exercise tips at www.jiujitsutherapist.com

Check out The Jiu-Jitsu Therapist Podcast with great conversations on some big names in grappling and injury-prevention and training tips. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jiu-jitsu-therapist-podcast/id1134701970?mt=2

Thanks to my sponsor Defense Soap. Check them out at http://www.defensesoap.com/

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I received a question on Reddit asking about how to alleviate recurrent rib injuries and muscle pulls from BJJ. The intercostal muscles (muscle between the ribs) are constantly in motion as they allow for the ribs to expand and contract with breathing and help with some stability between the ribs. These muscle can get irritated and then have a tedency to be re-irritated frequently. A dynamic warm up to help with blood flow and allow the muscles to get some light and comfortable movement will assist with reducing tightness, pain, and getting the area generally primed for more vigorous activity. Try these 4 quick exercises/warm-ups to get your body set to train.

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