Neck protection

[Keith]

Does anyone out there have experience with neck braces under their men? I am seeking something like the "cowboy collars" worn by professional football players to prevent a shearing motion. I am wondering if there is some sort of specialized bracing available in Japan or elsewhere that I have not yet been able to find. Any insight would be deeply appreciated. Thank you, in advance, for your time and reply. - Keith

[tyler]

Does anyone out there have experience with neck braces under their men? I am seeking something like the "cowboy collars" worn by professional football players to prevent a shearing motion. I am wondering if there is some sort of specialized bracing available in Japan or elsewhere that I have not yet been able to find. Any insight would be deeply appreciated. Thank you, in advance, for your time and reply. - Keith


- I remember when I was a raw beginner 3 years ago staying to watch an advanced class and there was a fellow who seemed to wear a hockey equipment type neck protector over his gi and under his men. I'm not too familiar with it, but it looked as if the part guarding his neck was hard, and there was a sort of collar that hung around it which was softer but would protect against splinters and missed tsuki marks. The fact that his windpipe was protected by this hard ring made it seem like a good idea to me.

good luck,

Tyler

[Keith]

Thanks Tyler. I'll probably wind up adapting equipment from another sport in conjunction with my physician so that I can return to full keiko. - Keith

[tyler]

Thanks Tyler. I'll probably wind up adapting equipment from another sport in conjunction with my physician so that I can return to full keiko. - Keith

no problem. Were you injured by a tsuki?

[Keith]

No. I actually had a series of other serious injuries from my former professional life that were crushing and tearing in nature. I basically ripped up the muscles on the back of my neck where they attach to the based of the skull like a fan leaving me vulnerable to any sort of rearward sheering motion. It did not help that I nearly crushed the cervical spine either. I am only now able to resume practice (minus the men until my Dr. buys off on the protective brace we come up with). Of course, now I have another problem...my suriashi feels like I'm a freakin octopus... :-) - Keith

[JSchmidt]

There's a guy here in NZ, who also had a neck injury and is wearing a neck-brace when practicing. Looks more like your standard hospital style brace (and doesnt look comfortable at all!). He usually asks people not to use tsuki because if it.

Jakob

[Keith]

If there is any way you could provide an introduction, I would appreciate it. I am trying to learn as much as I can about the various braces that people are using so that I can make some intelligent choices.


There's a guy here in NZ, who also had a neck injury and is wearing a neck-brace when practicing. Looks more like your standard hospital style brace (and doesnt look comfortable at all!). He usually asks people not to use tsuki because if it.

Jakob