Separated shoulder and BJJ

[simonboyce]

I'm really eager to try BJJ, but in May I separated my shoulder falling off my bike. I'm working on physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around there, but do you think this rules me out of BJJ?

[Hardball]

You should wait and rest. Jujitsu requires a lot of stress on the shoulders especially doing arm bars and taking falls. Rest up and make sure you are healed then go for it once you are 100%

[simonboyce]

Hardball: Thanks for the advice - unfortunately, I'll never be completely healed - the ligaments that attach my collar bone to my shoulder blade are completely ruptured, and 2 orthopedists have recommended against surgery. I'll always have some instability in my right shoulder. I'm thinking BJJ is not an option, sadly.

[Hardball]

I had severe shoulder problems from swimming, powerlifting and ukeing. Rest will do it. I healed mine without surgery. You need a good physical therapist. I was healed by using resistance bands. Talk to a P.T. How old are you? If I can heal in my 40's, I'm sure a younger man can heal. Remember R.I.C.E.

rest
ice
compress
elevate

[Tom Yum]

Good stuff from Hardball. If pain is an issue, consider accupunture?

[simonboyce]

Thanks for the encouragement Hardball. I'm 43 - an old man.

My plan is to see how far I can get it with PT, then there's a friendly BJJ gym near here and I'll go and check it out. Cheers.

[Hardball]

I just turned 50 and I must say I am going strong. My shoulders have been in remission for about 5 years.

[Hardball]

My Plan is to see how far I can get it with PT, then there's a friendly BJJ gym near here and I'll go and check it out. Cheers.

As long as there are ego's there will be no friendly gyms. LOL

[Tom Yum]

Thanks for the encouragement Hardball. I'm 43 - an old man..

Jack Lalanne is 92; I don't think he considers himself an old man...

[Hardball]

Also, BJJ should teach you how to fall properly just in case you fall off of your bike again.

[Hardball]

Jack Lalanne is 92; I don't think he considers himself an old man...

Yea, I borrow Viagra from him from time to time. LOL

[simonboyce]

Hardball - that's a very good point, about falling properly. Thanks for pointing that out. I don't plan to give up mountain biking, and falling off comes with the territory. Soon as my shoulder feels solid, i'll give BJJ a try.

One other thing - have you come across Indian Clubs? It's a kind of exercise that's supposed to be really good for shoulders.

[Hardball]

Hardball - that's a very good point, about falling properly. Thanks for pointing that out. I don't plan to give up mountain biking, and falling off comes with the territory. Soon as my shoulder feels solid, i'll give BJJ a try.

One other thing - have you come across Indian Clubs? It's a kind of exercise that's supposed to be really good for shoulders.

That's one of the first things I learned in Japanese Jujitsu; how to fall properly. Hopefully BJJ will teach you how to fall also. Nope, never heard of Indian Clubs but my resistance band exercises worked wonders.

[Laura]

BTW, Jack turned 93 on September 23rd - and he says his wife smiles with good reason - make of it what you will....

[Hardball]

Nice story. Nothing like a happy wife.