Treatments for BJJ Neck Injuries
From guillotines to stingers—get the assessment and treatment protocols that have helped 500+ grappling athletes recover fully and return to training stronger.
From guillotines to stingers—get the assessment and treatment protocols that have helped 500+ grappling athletes recover fully and return to training stronger.
The Problem
Your neck hurts. Maybe it's from defending a guillotine. Maybe from getting stacked hard. Maybe from an awkward scramble where your head got caught in a bad position.
Now every time you turn your head or look down, you feel it. Sleep is uncomfortable. Driving requires turning your whole body. You might have tingling down your arm. You're worried it's getting worse, not better.
Here's what you've probably tried: Rest and hoping it goes away Neck stretches from YouTube Massage or chiropractic adjustments Heat or ice Anti-inflammatory medication Maybe even an MRI that showed "normal age-related changes"
Here's what usually happens: The pain decreases slightly. You return to training thinking you're healed. First time someone grabs a guillotine or stacks you—it's back. Sometimes worse than before. Now you're stuck in a cycle of partial recovery and re-injury, and you're starting to flinch every time someone goes for your neck.
There's a better way.
At Grapplers PerformX, we've treated hundreds of BJJ neck injuries. We understand that your neck pain is rarely just a "neck" problem—it's often caused by shoulder mobility restrictions, poor thoracic spine mobility, or compensation patterns that force your neck into vulnerable positions.
The Problem
Your neck hurts. Maybe it's from defending a guillotine. Maybe from getting stacked hard. Maybe from an awkward scramble where your head got caught in a bad position.
Now every time you turn your head or look down, you feel it. Sleep is uncomfortable. Driving requires turning your whole body. You might have tingling down your arm. You're worried it's getting worse, not better.
Here's what you've probably tried: Rest and hoping it goes away Neck stretches from YouTube Massage or chiropractic adjustments Heat or ice Anti-inflammatory medication Maybe even an MRI that showed "normal age-related changes"
Here's what usually happens: The pain decreases slightly. You return to training thinking you're healed. First time someone grabs a guillotine or stacks you—it's back. Sometimes worse than before. Now you're stuck in a cycle of partial recovery and re-injury, and you're starting to flinch every time someone goes for your neck.
There's a better way.
At Grapplers PerformX, we've treated hundreds of BJJ neck injuries. We understand that your neck pain is rarely just a "neck" problem—it's often caused by shoulder mobility restrictions, poor thoracic spine mobility, or compensation patterns that force your neck into vulnerable positions.
The Problem
Your neck hurts. Maybe it's from defending a guillotine. Maybe from getting stacked hard. Maybe from an awkward scramble where your head got caught in a bad position.
Now every time you turn your head or look down, you feel it. Sleep is uncomfortable. Driving requires turning your whole body. You might have tingling down your arm. You're worried it's getting worse, not better.
Here's what you've probably tried: Rest and hoping it goes away Neck stretches from YouTube Massage or chiropractic adjustments Heat or ice Anti-inflammatory medication Maybe even an MRI that showed "normal age-related changes"
Here's what usually happens: The pain decreases slightly. You return to training thinking you're healed. First time someone grabs a guillotine or stacks you—it's back. Sometimes worse than before. Now you're stuck in a cycle of partial recovery and re-injury, and you're starting to flinch every time someone goes for your neck.
There's a better way.
At Grapplers PerformX, we've treated hundreds of BJJ neck injuries. We understand that your neck pain is rarely just a "neck" problem—it's often caused by shoulder mobility restrictions, poor thoracic spine mobility, or compensation patterns that force your neck into vulnerable positions.
Back Injury Treatment Guides
Throwing, bridging, and guard work shouldn't mean chronic back pain
Back Injury Treatment Guides
Throwing, bridging, and guard work shouldn't mean chronic back pain
Back Injury Treatment Guides
Throwing, bridging, and guard work shouldn't mean chronic back pain
Why BJJ
Is Hard On Your Neck
Your neck faces challenges in BJJ that most other sports don't create:
Extreme Flexion Under Load: Guillotines, front headlocks, and being stacked create massive compressive forces while your neck is bent forward. Your cervical spine can handle 100-150 pounds of compression in neutral—but in flexion with rotation? That capacity drops dramatically.
Sustained Isometric Loading: Defending guillotines, maintaining neck posture during passing, and bridging require your neck muscles to fire maximally for extended periods. This creates fatigue and increases injury risk.
Unpredictable Rotational Forces: Head control, arm drags, and scrambles create sudden rotational forces your neck has milliseconds to respond to. Unlike controlled exercises, these forces come from unpredictable angles.
Repeated Extension and Compression: Bridging, looking up during guard retention, and maintaining head position during escapes repeatedly load your neck in extension—a position that stresses facet joints and can compress nerve roots.
Direct Impact: Takedowns, throws, and accidental head contact create axial loading (compression through the spine) and sudden acceleration-deceleration forces that soft tissues weren't designed to absorb.
Why BJJ
Is Hard On Your Neck
Your neck faces challenges in BJJ that most other sports don't create:
Extreme Flexion Under Load: Guillotines, front headlocks, and being stacked create massive compressive forces while your neck is bent forward. Your cervical spine can handle 100-150 pounds of compression in neutral—but in flexion with rotation? That capacity drops dramatically.
Sustained Isometric Loading: Defending guillotines, maintaining neck posture during passing, and bridging require your neck muscles to fire maximally for extended periods. This creates fatigue and increases injury risk.
Unpredictable Rotational Forces: Head control, arm drags, and scrambles create sudden rotational forces your neck has milliseconds to respond to. Unlike controlled exercises, these forces come from unpredictable angles.
Repeated Extension and Compression: Bridging, looking up during guard retention, and maintaining head position during escapes repeatedly load your neck in extension—a position that stresses facet joints and can compress nerve roots.
Direct Impact: Takedowns, throws, and accidental head contact create axial loading (compression through the spine) and sudden acceleration-deceleration forces that soft tissues weren't designed to absorb.
Why BJJ
Is Hard On Your Neck
Your neck faces challenges in BJJ that most other sports don't create:
Extreme Flexion Under Load: Guillotines, front headlocks, and being stacked create massive compressive forces while your neck is bent forward. Your cervical spine can handle 100-150 pounds of compression in neutral—but in flexion with rotation? That capacity drops dramatically.
Sustained Isometric Loading: Defending guillotines, maintaining neck posture during passing, and bridging require your neck muscles to fire maximally for extended periods. This creates fatigue and increases injury risk.
Unpredictable Rotational Forces: Head control, arm drags, and scrambles create sudden rotational forces your neck has milliseconds to respond to. Unlike controlled exercises, these forces come from unpredictable angles.
Repeated Extension and Compression: Bridging, looking up during guard retention, and maintaining head position during escapes repeatedly load your neck in extension—a position that stresses facet joints and can compress nerve roots.
Direct Impact: Takedowns, throws, and accidental head contact create axial loading (compression through the spine) and sudden acceleration-deceleration forces that soft tissues weren't designed to absorb.
Common BJJ Neck Injuries:
Cervical Strain (Muscle Strain)
What it is: Overstretching or tearing of neck muscles and tendons from forced flexion, extension, or rotation during guillotines, neck cranks, or stacking
Cervical Sprain (Ligament Sprain)
What it is: Damage to ligaments connecting cervical vertebrae from sudden jerking or hyperextension/hyperflexion movements during submissions or takedowns
Stingers/Burners (Nerve Stretch Injury)
What it is: Temporary nerve stretch or compression causing electric shock sensation radiating down arm, typically from neck being forced to one side while shoulder pushed opposite direction
Cervical Disc Bulge or Herniation
What it is: The gel-like center of cervical disc pushes through outer ring from repeated compression, flexion under load during guillotines, or impact from takedowns
Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome
What it is: Irritation or inflammation of small joints between neck vertebrae from repetitive extension and rotation, maintaining extended neck positions, or compensation for other neck injuries
Whiplash (Cervical Acceleration-Deceleration Injury)
What it is: Sudden back-and-forth neck movement causing strain to muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves from takedown impacts, throws, or sudden pulls/jerks
Nerve Root Compression (Cervical Radiculopathy)
What it is: Pinched nerve in neck causing pain, numbness, or weakness radiating down arm from disc herniation, bone spurs, or inflammation narrowing the space where nerve exits spine
Common BJJ Neck Injuries:
Cervical Strain (Muscle Strain)
What it is: Overstretching or tearing of neck muscles and tendons from forced flexion, extension, or rotation during guillotines, neck cranks, or stacking
Cervical Sprain (Ligament Sprain)
What it is: Damage to ligaments connecting cervical vertebrae from sudden jerking or hyperextension/hyperflexion movements during submissions or takedowns
Stingers/Burners (Nerve Stretch Injury)
What it is: Temporary nerve stretch or compression causing electric shock sensation radiating down arm, typically from neck being forced to one side while shoulder pushed opposite direction
Cervical Disc Bulge or Herniation
What it is: The gel-like center of cervical disc pushes through outer ring from repeated compression, flexion under load during guillotines, or impact from takedowns
Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome
What it is: Irritation or inflammation of small joints between neck vertebrae from repetitive extension and rotation, maintaining extended neck positions, or compensation for other neck injuries
Whiplash (Cervical Acceleration-Deceleration Injury)
What it is: Sudden back-and-forth neck movement causing strain to muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves from takedown impacts, throws, or sudden pulls/jerks
Nerve Root Compression (Cervical Radiculopathy)
What it is: Pinched nerve in neck causing pain, numbness, or weakness radiating down arm from disc herniation, bone spurs, or inflammation narrowing the space where nerve exits spine
Common BJJ Neck Injuries:
Cervical Strain (Muscle Strain)
What it is: Overstretching or tearing of neck muscles and tendons from forced flexion, extension, or rotation during guillotines, neck cranks, or stacking
Cervical Sprain (Ligament Sprain)
What it is: Damage to ligaments connecting cervical vertebrae from sudden jerking or hyperextension/hyperflexion movements during submissions or takedowns
Stingers/Burners (Nerve Stretch Injury)
What it is: Temporary nerve stretch or compression causing electric shock sensation radiating down arm, typically from neck being forced to one side while shoulder pushed opposite direction
Cervical Disc Bulge or Herniation
What it is: The gel-like center of cervical disc pushes through outer ring from repeated compression, flexion under load during guillotines, or impact from takedowns
Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome
What it is: Irritation or inflammation of small joints between neck vertebrae from repetitive extension and rotation, maintaining extended neck positions, or compensation for other neck injuries
Whiplash (Cervical Acceleration-Deceleration Injury)
What it is: Sudden back-and-forth neck movement causing strain to muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves from takedown impacts, throws, or sudden pulls/jerks
Nerve Root Compression (Cervical Radiculopathy)
What it is: Pinched nerve in neck causing pain, numbness, or weakness radiating down arm from disc herniation, bone spurs, or inflammation narrowing the space where nerve exits spine
Results
Results
Results
Join 500+ Grapplers
Who Chose Expertise Over Generic Healthcare
90% of our patients avoid surgery
95% patient satisfaction rate
5.0★
average rating
5.0★ average rating
5.0★
average rating
8-12 sessions average plan of care
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
"I thought my career was over—four weeks later I was sparring like normal.”
Joss Ayres
Purple Belt
"I wish I contacted Dalton much much earlier!! Thank you so much for keeping on the mats and training whilst helping me recover."
Virtual Patient | Nils Hirani
BJJ Purple Belt
"Great to have a physio that had specific grappling knowledge so immediately understood the positions which caused the injury."
Virtual Patient | Owen Lewis
BJJ Athlete & Weightlifter
"Being able to speak to an experienced grappler who understood the more specific movements that it entails helped me communicate my pains more effectively."
Virtual Patient | Chiu Dat
BJJ Purple Belt
Your Path
Back To The Mats
Step 1: Free 15-Min Discovery Call
See if we're the right fit for your specific situation—no pressure, just honest advice.
Step 2: Virtual Assessment (90 Minutes)
Step 3: Custom Plan (10-15 Sessions)
Most athletes see noticeable improvement within their first 1-3 sessions!
Your Path
Back To The Mats
Step 1: Free 15-Min Discovery Call
See if we're the right fit for your specific situation—no pressure, just honest advice.
Step 2: Virtual Assessment (90 Minutes)
Step 3: Custom Plan (10-15 Sessions)
Most athletes see noticeable improvement within their first 1-3 sessions!
Your Path
Back To The Mats
Step 1: Free 15-Min Discovery Call
See if we're the right fit for your specific situation—no pressure, just honest advice.
Step 2: Virtual Assessment (90 Minutes)
Step 3: Custom Plan (10-15 Sessions)
Most athletes see noticeable improvement within their first 1-3 sessions!
About Us
Built by a Grappler, For Grapplers.
We're grapplers who became PTs specifically to fill the gap in grappling healthcare.
The Problem: 6 Months of Going Nowhere
Founder Dalton Urrutia couldn't find a single PT who understood grappling injuries. Traditional physical therapy failed him for 6 months straight.
The Solution: If It Doesn't Exist, Build It
When nobody could help him get back on the mats, Dalton went to PT school to solve it himself—and for every grappler facing the same frustration.
The Result: 15 Years, 500+ Athletes
Today, Grapplers Performance is the specialized virtual clinic Dalton wished existed when he was injured. We're grapplers who became PTs specifically to fill the gap in grappling healthcare.
Dalton Urrutia
Founder, CEO & Performance Physical Therapist
Dalton founded Performx to help athletes better understand their movement, injuries, and body, in order to keep them doing what they love. Dalton has expertise in movement, strength & conditioning and exercise science and believes that education and understanding injury/the body combined with exercise-based rehab is the key to effective rehab.
Having opened a clinic in London and launched a successful virtual physical therapy business, he's excited to be back supporting his local community in the Willamette Valley.
Outside of the clinic Dalton loves rolling on the mats, flying leisure airplanes and exploring the local area with his wife, Sydney, their 2 boys, and dog, Ipa.
Dr. Tom Hanson, DPT
Virtual Performance Physical Therapist
Tom believes that long-term performance and resilience start with understanding how the whole body works together.
Tom started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 and earned his black belt in 2024. He continues to train and teach regularly and has a deep passion for working with grapplers and combat athletes.
Tom holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and has been practicing since 2018. He’s worked extensively with both everyday athletes and high-level competitors, always with the same goal: helping people move with confidence and purpose.
At home, Tom is a proud dad to three young boys and two rescue dogs. When he’s not in the clinic or on the mats, you’ll find him fixing up guitars, exploring outdoors with his family, or homeschooling alongside his wife.
About Us
Built by a Grappler, For Grapplers.
We're grapplers who became PTs specifically to fill the gap in grappling healthcare.
The Problem: 6 Months of Going Nowhere
Founder Dalton Urrutia couldn't find a single PT who understood grappling injuries. Traditional physical therapy failed him for 6 months straight.
The Solution: If It Doesn't Exist, Build It
When nobody could help him get back on the mats, Dalton went to PT school to solve it himself—and for every grappler facing the same frustration.
The Result: 15 Years, 500+ Athletes
Today, Grapplers Performance is the specialized virtual clinic Dalton wished existed when he was injured. We're grapplers who became PTs specifically to fill the gap in grappling healthcare.
Dalton Urrutia
Founder, CEO & Performance Physical Therapist
Dalton founded Performx to help athletes better understand their movement, injuries, and body, in order to keep them doing what they love. Dalton has expertise in movement, strength & conditioning and exercise science and believes that education and understanding injury/the body combined with exercise-based rehab is the key to effective rehab.
Having opened a clinic in London and launched a successful virtual physical therapy business, he's excited to be back supporting his local community in the Willamette Valley.
Outside of the clinic Dalton loves rolling on the mats, flying leisure airplanes and exploring the local area with his wife, Sydney, their 2 boys, and dog, Ipa.
Dr. Tom Hanson, DPT
Virtual Performance Physical Therapist
Tom believes that long-term performance and resilience start with understanding how the whole body works together.
Tom started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 and earned his black belt in 2024. He continues to train and teach regularly and has a deep passion for working with grapplers and combat athletes.
Tom holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and has been practicing since 2018. He’s worked extensively with both everyday athletes and high-level competitors, always with the same goal: helping people move with confidence and purpose.
At home, Tom is a proud dad to three young boys and two rescue dogs. When he’s not in the clinic or on the mats, you’ll find him fixing up guitars, exploring outdoors with his family, or homeschooling alongside his wife.
About Us
Built by a Grappler, For Grapplers.
We're grapplers who became PTs specifically to fill the gap in grappling healthcare.
The Problem: 6 Months of Going Nowhere
Founder Dalton Urrutia couldn't find a single PT who understood grappling injuries. Traditional physical therapy failed him for 6 months straight.
The Solution: If It Doesn't Exist, Build It
When nobody could help him get back on the mats, Dalton went to PT school to solve it himself—and for every grappler facing the same frustration.
The Result: 15 Years, 500+ Athletes
Today, Grapplers Performance is the specialized virtual clinic Dalton wished existed when he was injured. We're grapplers who became PTs specifically to fill the gap in grappling healthcare.
Dalton Urrutia
Founder, CEO & Performance Physical Therapist
Dalton founded Performx to help athletes better understand their movement, injuries, and body, in order to keep them doing what they love. Dalton has expertise in movement, strength & conditioning and exercise science and believes that education and understanding injury/the body combined with exercise-based rehab is the key to effective rehab.
Having opened a clinic in London and launched a successful virtual physical therapy business, he's excited to be back supporting his local community in the Willamette Valley.
Outside of the clinic Dalton loves rolling on the mats, flying leisure airplanes and exploring the local area with his wife, Sydney, their 2 boys, and dog, Ipa.
Dr. Tom Hanson, DPT
Virtual Performance Physical Therapist
Tom believes that long-term performance and resilience start with understanding how the whole body works together.
Tom started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 and earned his black belt in 2024. He continues to train and teach regularly and has a deep passion for working with grapplers and combat athletes.
Tom holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and has been practicing since 2018. He’s worked extensively with both everyday athletes and high-level competitors, always with the same goal: helping people move with confidence and purpose.
At home, Tom is a proud dad to three young boys and two rescue dogs. When he’s not in the clinic or on the mats, you’ll find him fixing up guitars, exploring outdoors with his family, or homeschooling alongside his wife.
Serving grapplers worldwide. Virtual sessions. Real results.
Ready to Train Without Pain?
Book your free call today. If your initial evaluation doesn't deliver value, you don't pay. That's our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Serving grapplers worldwide. Virtual sessions. Real results.
Ready to Train Without Pain?
Book your free call today. If your initial evaluation doesn't deliver value, you don't pay. That's our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Serving grapplers worldwide. Virtual sessions. Real results.
Ready to Train Without Pain?
Book your free call today. If your initial evaluation doesn't deliver value, you don't pay. That's our 100% satisfaction guarantee.