Takedown options with a bad neck/back

[Shane]

I am needing to change my takedown tactics due to a bad neck/back for
MMA and Sub grappling. I use to rely primarily on leg attacks, but those
feel far to risky for me now. It usually only takes me hitting a few doubles
or singles in practice and I have problems for a while. My knees are also
a little shot out as well so the level change sometimes bothers them. Any
ideas ?

Thanks, Shane

[Scott Sonnon]

Shane,

What did your doctor advise is the issue with your neck and your knees?

[Shane]

I have two bulging disc in my neck and two in my lower back. There is some
arthritis in my knees, the left one is worse because I tended to shoot on it
the most. I find that when I start to roll my fear of getting hurt greatly
impacts my performance, especially concerning takedowns.

Thanks, Shane

[Scott Sonnon]

Shane,

I suggest you get with a physical therapist, or chiropractor and resolve the issues.

There is no way that I would offer you any suggestions without clearance from your doctor for this specific type of exercise. Then, get yourself on a daily course of Intu-Flow.

[Shane]

I understand Scott. I use a chiropractor and a NMT and they help a lot. I do
Intu-Flow daily as well and it helps a great deal. As a matter of fact these
injuries are what led me to RMAX. I started with Warrior Wellness and now
use Intu-Flow and those programs have helped me more I think than
anything else that I have done ( I need to add Be Breathed, Freedom By
Degree, Maximology, and Clubells in there as well).

Thanks, Shane

[Scott Sonnon]

Shane,

Then my advice is this. Don't try to train AROUND these injuries. You cannot. Everything is interrelated and interdependent. You'll just be reinforcing them. Stop what you're doing and devote ALL of your energies to full recovery. If you do not, your situation will only worsen.

[JasonE]

Shane -

Though my injuries were different, I've been down a road similar to yours. Take the time off to fully rehab your injuries and come back to your grappling when they've been resolved. I hated taking time away from my grappling, but being pain-free with superior mobility allowed me to go back and train at a higher level than when I had left.

Good luck!