170. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) injuries with Dr Lachlan Giles

Apr 8, 2025

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a popular grappling-based martial art that uses joint locks and chokes to subdue or submit opponents. It's an intense, physically demanding sport with complex movements and submission techniques that involve a risk of injury, particularly to the knees, shoulders, elbows, neck, and lower back. It's important for Physiotherapists and health professionals who treat BJJ athletes to understand the different mechanisms of injury, movements and positions athletes need to be able to perform, so they can develop successful rehabilitation programs, and safely and successfully return athletes to training. In this podcast, David Pope (APA Titled Musculoskeletal and Sports and Exercise Physio) explores BJJ injuries with Dr. Lachlan Giles—a BJJ black belt and world-class BJJ competitor, including 1st Place IBJJF Pan-Pacific Championship 2016 & 2017, 3rd place ADCC 2019 Open weight division and many more accomplishments. Lachlan is also a BJJ coach to top level competitors, including Levi Jones-Leary, Craig Jones before he moved to DDS, and a Physiotherapist with a PhD in knee pain and rehab. Lachlan shares his extensive experience treating and managing BJJ injuries, drawing from the research, as well as his clinical knowledge and personal experience as an elite grappler and BJJ coach. In this podcast, we discuss:

The challenges physiotherapists face when treating BJJ athletes and how to adapt rehab programs for them.
Common areas injured in BJJ.
What commonly causes knee injuries, including LCL and ACL sprains, in BJJ.
Different positions athletes need to get into in BJJ, why it's important to understand these positions, and how you can use this to guide your rehab and return to sport.
Strength vs flexibility vs conditioning? Which factors are critical in injury recovery, prevention and performance?
Practical strategies for modifying training and load to allow injured athletes to continue training safely.
The role of neck strengthening in protecting against neck injuries from chokes and takedowns.
How to structure a safe return-to-play progression for knee, back, and rib injuries.
Key factors that impact athlete recovery. When athletes can continue training, when and how to modify training and when to recommend complete rest. The impact of training style, intensity, and mindset on injury risk and longevity in the sport. How older athletes can adjust their game to have fewer injuries while continuing to train and compete. Listen to this podcast now to have a better understanding of BJJ injuries, rehabilitation, and strategies to help athletes successfully get back to or continue training and competing in BJJ.

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Chapters:

04:40 - Lachlan's PhD
10:06 - Can VMO be targeted with rehab?
14:06 - What challenges do Physios face when treating BJJ athletes?
17:03 - When to allow patients to continue training
19:35 - Different types of training
21:36 - Lachlan's training with an LCL injury
26:53 - Common injuries in BJJ
29:18 - Other areas injured in BJJ, and why low back pain occurs
33:39 - How BJJ athletes can train to stay healthy and avoid injury
37:05 - Getting back to training and rolling
42:23 - Tests before patients "invert" with their legs over their head
48:11 - Leg entanglement, 50/50 and leg locks
52:09 - Positions to use when coming back from an injury
53:08 - Rib and costochondral injuries
59:44 - Forearm periostitis