So I am doing a bit of karate - call it a midlife crisis, and the fucker gave me whiplash

[hmc]

just a lowly orange belt and still learning but in the big boys group with the seniors (includes black belts) and we throw each other and stuff, but last week when one of the fellas threw me (rather rapidly) the velocity was such that it jarred my neck. I had two sleepless nights where it hurt to lift my head off the pillow and shift position and now 6 days later it still aches when I do abdominal exercises. Is this normal for karate ? I don't mind a bit of bruising but spinal trauma ?!?

hmm... don't know about karate (didn't even know you do throwing in karate ) but i did years of judo and jiu jitsu up to instructor level with hundreds of throws per session and i only got a sore neck twice i can remember (purple belt grading and one black belt session).

have you not done loads and loads of falling practice? keeping your chin tucked in? i found that my neck became stronger with practice so by the time i was throwing and being thrown with a lot of force my neck was stronger and i was better at keeping my head tucked in and under control.

Hmmmm - neck tucked in, I must confess I may not have done this

I might be that grouped with more accomplished people my instructor is forgetting just how much of a novice I am

your head is REALLY heavy so if you let it flop then it will hurt your neck, tuck your chin in.. and also tell your instructor about the sore neck - hopefully he'll give you a bit more coaching... also, don't be afraid to tell your partners to slow down a touch...

Thanks maybe - told instructor this morning and we are going to do more break falls practice