Question for more experienced BJJ folks

[Martin]

Ok, I started BJJ about a month ago, trained for a week, then took a break for two weeks on Spring Break. Anyway, I went back to class yesterday and we went over kimura armlocks and some other things, then I rolled for awhile with several people afterwards.

What's my point? Sorry, getting to it. Well, aside from the regular bumps and junk, I woke up this morning with my left shoulder seized. I think it might have had more to do with my having worked the bench press afterwards, but in either case: what do you suggest I do? There are two classes tonite that I like going to and if I miss these and wait until wednesday or later I won't have the time to workout and recover by saturday, where I have to be at full strength again.

Are these the kind of things you guys usually just shrug off and roll with or do you take a break? I mostly ask because I would hate to go to class and come off like a little ***** when I say 'hey, there's something wrong with my shoulder, if you wouldn't mind laying off a bit'.

Any ideas how to loosen this stupid arm up? It's driving me nuts and I don't think I can apply much strength with it. I imagine is probably happens often in this business.

Thanks in advance guys.

[Dennis Monk]

OK, I started BJJ about a month and a half ago, so I guess I qualify. :D
What you are describing is very similar to what happened to me about two years ago. I ended up having a slight tear in my left rotator cuff. It wasn't anything which required surgery, just some time to heal. At a BJJ seminar I attended last month, we drilled on different shoulder locks. The next day was hell for me. I now have to know and abide by my limitations. As far as treatment goes....
The doc gave me vioxx, which never did much for me. I found that 800 mg of motrin 3 times a day helped me more. I also used heating pads on my shoulder.

[Erik]

What do you mean by "siezed?"

And can I suggest that you don't lift weights immediately before nor after BJJ? The reason being that you're putting a lot of torque on soft tissue.

You're also in your first few months of BJJ. Your body will be making some changes, getting used to being knocked around. Don't underestimate the importance of this acclimation period.

Your soft tissues are learning to deal with a new way of life and will need time to adapt themselves. You're more apt to injure yourself badly in this period than later on (assuming your judgement stays constant).

You're training with Roy Harris, right Andreas? If so, he'll know the right thing to do. He's tough and sensible.

I hope you feel better.

[Martin]

Thanks for advice guys. I'll probably go to class tonite and ask about it and just take it real slow. Yes, I train with Roy Harris.

By 'seized', I mean that when I woke up I couldn't move my arm from my side until I forced it up and heard a friendly 'POP'. Now, if I extend the arm above level with my shoulder or hold it to my side, the joint feels mostly OK, but lifting and applying pressure in the midrange (like pushing on a heavy door) hurts the joint quite a bit.

I think the weightlifting and the rolling was what did it. Since I'm not so good, I have to rely and strength mostly and the the muscles around the joint (pectoralis, deltoid, lat) are a bit sore, so I imagine I was torquing it funny on the mat and then exasterbated it with the lifting.

It good to hear that this is the worst period though. There's no way I can conceve of quitting BJJ anytime soon, but the frequent beatings do have a way of messing up your gym schedule. :D

[Erik]

The pop is fluid buildup being squeezed (popped) out of whatever joint capsule it's in.

The fluid is likely there to protect a traumatized joint (like your Kimuraed shoulder that was then subject to weight lifting).

For the short term, ibuprofin (600 to 800 mg taken 3x day) and rest. Use heat after 24 hours, cold 'til then.

If I remember correctly, there is an African or Carribian lady who is a Nurse Practicioner at the Health Center at UCSD (Undergraduates Commit Suicide Daily) who took great care of me when I was banged up back then. I think that she and Roy were the only two people at that university who cared if the students were alive or not.

If you want to roll again soon instead of waiting, tuck your arm in your gi or grab your belt and workout with someone who won't mind.

I learned so much recovering from elbow surgery. I could only practice my guard and with one hand. All I could effectively do was move from open to closed and back, adjust my hips, scissors sweep, and the like, but it helped my guard game a lot.

I still remind myself of those lessons when I seem to forget them because I'm too static or thinking too much with my hands and arms. It was a good experience.

I hope you feel better.

[Erik]

Oh - you should check to see if you separated your AC joint. I get that sometimes. I feel perfectly fine until I move in just a certain way and then I have 5% of my strength and it hurts a lot.

Go to the Health Center (or whatever it's called 10 years later...).

[Martin]

It's still the Student Health Center and I'd reckon the same building, somewhat old. I've been there once before and found a sports medicine guy who was helpful, but I haven't ran into this lady. I'll make another appointment if this doesn't subside in the next few days.

'Undergraduates Commit Suicide Daily' :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

It's funny too because they made a big deal at orientation about some kid who killed himself last year due to depression. Now there's some Orwellian system to keep the undergrad masses under opiate control. Basically, we were literally forced to perform social activities and, in fact, the kids who live on campus, god help them, are subject to heaping servings of forced and uber-lame 'social' events all the time.

Thanks again Erik