Injury occurred because Sensei wouldn't listen

[Harkon72]

Our Sensei is a good martial artist but he has ignored a request for a student to stop in a class because of knee pain. The student carried on with the class and now her knee has a problem that has lasted a year. Should I tell him about the injury that my wife has before she returns to class? And the possibility that he contributed to the cause of it? This is difficult but I feel he should know. Does anyone have any advice?

[hammer]

What would the impact have been if the student had just told the Sensei that she was bowing out because of knee pain?

The club I belong to has a large number of older (40+) students and it's no big deal for a student to bow out at any time. It's up to the student to do so...

I can understand the need for courtesy and protocol in class but a martial arts class isn't the military...and even the military will allow someone to take a break on PT because of pain that could result in injury.

[Aodhan]

What would the impact have been if the student had just told the Sensei that she was bowing out because of knee pain?

The club I belong to has a large number of older (40+) students and it's no big deal for a student to bow out at any time. It's up to the student to do so...

I can understand the need for courtesy and protocol in class but a martial arts class isn't the military...and even the military will allow someone to take a break on PT because of pain that could result in injury.

This. If you truly feel the Sensei caused/contributed, the time to confront him was a year ago, not now. I would address the injury, but not add the recrimination part of it, and let him know that she may need to bow out of class occasionally.

If he's not ok with that, it may be time to find a different studio.

John

[DWx]

What would the impact have been if the student had just told the Sensei that she was bowing out because of knee pain?

The club I belong to has a large number of older (40+) students and it's no big deal for a student to bow out at any time. It's up to the student to do so...

I can understand the need for courtesy and protocol in class but a martial arts class isn't the military...and even the military will allow someone to take a break on PT because of pain that could result in injury.

This. If you truly feel the Sensei caused/contributed, the time to confront him was a year ago, not now. I would address the injury, but not add the recrimination part of it, and let him know that she may need to bow out of class occasionally.

If he's not ok with that, it may be time to find a different studio.

John

Totally agree. Everyone has limitations and the sensei should allow students to bow out if they cannot continue.

[sensei8]

To excel at the MA, one must not be injured, so, heal first, then train. Otherwise, permanent set backs will rule the day.

Good luck, and hang in there!!

[andym]

I've got to say I'm really suprized that in this day and age a sensei didn't think of the injury consequence of their training.

[Nidan Melbourne]

That's shocking that your sensei ignored those requests. He/she should be aware of injury risks of any pre-existing problems.

[mal103]

There are plenty of students who moan about aches and pains because they want to rest. Sometimes we tell them to carry on but have to make a judgement call, most of the time we get it right but if they visibly are in pain or ask again then we tell them to rest.

It's annoying when someone rests and then runs around after the lesson.

There is only one person to decide if you should rest or not and that is you. Your Sensei is not a doctor.

[Nidan Melbourne]

There are plenty of students who moan about aches and pains because they want to rest. Sometimes we tell them to carry on but have to make a judgement call, most of the time we get it right but if they visibly are in pain or ask again then we tell them to rest.

It's annoying when someone rests and then runs around after the lesson.

There is only one person to decide if you should rest or not and that is you. Your Sensei is not a doctor.

I have to agree partially with you there. Don't forget that there may be some internal injuries that they may have (i.e. ribs may have been broken and are healing) or are in rehabilitation from. So they may be in legit pain and will have to sit out and will be better after x minutes.

And [qoute=mal103]Your Sensei is not a doctor.

But some instructors have other professions, and that they may be a medical practitioner (doctor, physiotherapist, exercise physiologist etc) so they would be aware of the risks and signs of injury. So they would be able to tell if you have to rest or not (especially if you are faking it because you want a rest in general).

I teach and i am doing a degree as an exercise physiologist and i can tell when someone is in pain. and if they are trying to feign the problem i check (with their permission and the parents) to see if it is real or not.

[yamesu]

There are plenty of students who moan about aches and pains because they want to rest. Sometimes we tell them to carry on but have to make a judgement call, most of the time we get it right but if they visibly are in pain or ask again then we tell them to rest.

It's annoying when someone rests and then runs around after the lesson.

There is only one person to decide if you should rest or not and that is you. Your Sensei is not a doctor.

I think there is a big difference between children's and adult classes here.

For kids, its always a judgement call.

For adults, let them bow out. It is only their own progress that is hindered if they are doing it for a rest.... Just means they wont make the cut at promotions etc.

Genuine injuries do need attention however, and that is why EVERY dojo and gym should have a certified first aid person in house at all times.