Grappling Injuries for Sports Chiropractors

Tuition: $79
Hours: 4

Instructor

• Dustin Nabhan, DC, DACBSP, CSCS

Course Description

Most traditional sports injury training programs emphasize field and court sports, not mat-based combat disciplines. This four-hour course fills that gap by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based, and sport-specific training pathway for chiropractors to safely and effectively evaluate, manage, and return grapplers to competition. It draws on peer-reviewed literature, real-world video analysis, and current best practices in emergency care, spinal rehabilitation, and extremity injury management.

Evaluation

The content of this course is provided through reading material which the learner’s participation (time) is actively tracked and logged. A minimum of four hours is required. There will be at least three questions for every hour of the class. The learner must receive a score of 80% of the total possible points and log at least four hours to receive credit for the course. Learners not achieving the pass rate will be directed to additional study by the instructor and allowed to re-take the examination.

No textbooks required. Computer and Internet service required for completion of this course. Funding sources and potential conflicts of interest statement: No funds were received, underwritten or subsidized by any vendors of any goods including supplies or services for this course.

Outline

Module 1: Serious and Emergent Injuries

Topics:

• Weight-cutting complications
• Cardiac events (youth and masters level)
• Concussion and cervical cord neurapraxia
• Choke-related syncope
• On-site BLS-level triage and EMS referral protocols

Objective: Develop triage readiness for emergent grappling injuries and recognize when to initiate emergency transport or referral.

Module 2: Spine Injuries in Grapplers

Topics:

• Cervical discopathy, stenosis, radiculopathy
• Spear Tackler’s Spine
• Thoracic and lumbar facet strain, discogenic pain
• Return-to-play imaging and clearance
• Sport-specific rehab guidelines

Objective: Apply focused diagnostic and rehabilitation strategies to spine injuries, with attention to return-to-contact criteria.

Module 3: Upper Extremity Injuries

Topics:

• SLAP tears, shoulder instability, AC joint trauma
• Elbow dislocation, UCL sprain, hyperextension
• TFCC injuries, wrist instability, collateral ligament sprains
• Orthopedic testing and imaging
• Sport-appropriate RTP testing

Objective: Identify and treat upper extremity injuries caused by grappling-specific loading and stress.

Module 4: Lower Extremity Injuries

Topics:

• FAI, labral injury, adductor tendinopathy
• Hamstring and quadriceps strain, thigh contusions
• ACL, MCL, meniscus pathology
• Syndesmosis injuries, turf toe, foot fractures
• Return-to-play protocols

Objective: Recognize and manage lower extremity injuries with clinical reasoning adapted to grappling demands.

Objectives

• Differentiate grappling disciplines and describe the biomechanical demands and injury risks associated with each.
• Identify and manage emergent medical conditions commonly encountered in grappling sports, including weight-cutting complications, cervical spine trauma, syncope, and cardiac events.
• Evaluate and treat cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine injuries using orthopedic examination and imaging clearance guidelines.
• Diagnose and manage upper extremity injuries such as shoulder instability, elbow trauma, and wrist pathologies specific to grappling movements.
• Diagnose and treat lower extremity injuries including hip impingement, meniscal lesions, ankle sprains, and foot trauma in the context of sport-specific biomechanics.
• Apply sport-specific return-to-play protocols grounded in functional testing and imaging when appropriate.
• Prepare sideline response plans and triage algorithms for use during live competition or team practice scenarios.

To enroll in this course, please click the link below. You will be redirected to our course platform, Instructure, to complete the transaction.

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