Injury Management
If you have experienced an injury you should have a healthcare professional or primary care physician diagnose and recommend the appropriate treatment. Fighting Arts Health Lab does not provide medical advice and this section is only intended to inform you about injuries and their management.
What to Expect
In this section, we cover the normal physiology of the human body and what this looks like. Below, the skin, muscles, ligaments, cartilages, bones, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels work together to seamlessly allow human function. There are 206 bones in the human body, more than 600 hundred muscles, 4,000 tendons, and 900 ligaments. All of them are sustained by 4.5- 5.5 liters of blood that forms about 10% of the body weight.
As with any physical sport, the very step in injury management is preventing their occurrence in the first place. There are various steps when it comes to prevention, this includes, stretching, hydration, and resting among other principles. 60% of the human body is water. The lungs are about 83% of water while the brain and heart about 73% water. Prevention is the key to staying fit and injury-free while your train in martial arts.
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If You Sustain an Injury, What Are the Tell-Tale Signs?
Many athletes train and ignore minor cuts and bumps. However, when do you know its time to stop and evaluate an injury further? You have to know the signs of an injury to be able to seek help at the appropriate time. The primary signs of any injury usually include redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and loss of function.
There is a long list of injuries that are sustained no matter what martial art form you practice. Every part of the body is vulnerable to an injury. From the head to the toe, every potential injury that can occur during training is covered along with its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Diagnosis can be done via physical exam, imaging, or blood tests. Treatment is done either in the emergency room, in the hospital, or at home.
Additionally, various tissues sustain a common injury that is non-specific. These include sprains, strains, and tears. RICE is the standard therapy for most nonspecific injuries. This includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
However, even these injuries can also worsen over time if undiagnosed and left untreated. To understand these injuries better, their symptoms have been listed. And, how these common injuries are diagnosed and managed through treatment is also detailed to help you get back to your fighting self.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common martial arts injuries?
The most common martial arts injuries include wrist and hand injuries (especially in grappling arts), knee and ankle injuries from kicks and takedowns, and spine/neck injuries from throws and ground work. Most martial arts injuries are mild to moderate, such as bruises, cuts, and minor strains affecting the limbs. More serious injuries like fractures or ligament tears require immediate medical attention and proper rehabilitation protocols.
When should martial artists see a doctor for an injury?
Seek medical attention immediately for any injury involving loss of consciousness, severe pain, inability to bear weight, numbness or tingling, or visible deformity. See a doctor within 24-48 hours for persistent pain, swelling that doesn't improve with RICE treatment, or any injury that affects your ability to train. Early medical evaluation often prevents minor injuries from becoming chronic problems.
How can martial artists prevent injuries during training?
Injury prevention starts with proper warm-up, adequate hydration, and progressive training intensity rather than pushing too hard too fast. Always use proper technique, wear appropriate protective gear, and ensure adequate recovery time between intense sessions. Regular stretching, strength training, and body awareness exercises also significantly reduce injury risk.
What is the RICE method for martial arts injuries?
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation - the standard first aid treatment for most acute martial arts injuries. Rest the injured area, apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 48 hours, use compression with elastic bandages, and elevate the injury above heart level when possible. This method reduces swelling, pain, and promotes faster healing for minor injuries.
How long do martial arts injuries typically take to heal
Healing time varies greatly depending on injury type and severity - minor bruises and cuts heal within days, muscle strains take 2-6 weeks, while ligament injuries can require 6-12 weeks or longer. Bone fractures typically need 6-8 weeks minimum, and nerve injuries may take several months to fully recover. Proper treatment and rehabilitation significantly impact recovery time.
Should martial artists train through pain or injury?
Never train through acute pain or fresh injuries, as this can worsen damage and delay healing significantly. Minor soreness from previous training is normal, but sharp pain, swelling, or loss of function requires rest and evaluation. The general rule is: if movement increases pain or you favor the injured area, stop training and seek appropriate treatment.