Increase strength and reduce joint stress with low intensity exercise!

Injury, age or poor physical condition can prevent you from gaining muscle mass. Blood flow restriction (BFR) treatment is a form of rehabilitation that helps increase strength with low intensity exercise, putting less stress on your joints. BFR can be effective for post surgical patients, patients wanting to increase muscle mass to improve performance, and has also been shown to reduce muscle atrophy, which is important for patients who cannot exercise.

What are the Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Treatments?

As muscles relax and contract during exercise, the device maintains constant pressure, enabling:

• Fewer exercise repetitions

• Use of lighter weights

• Enhanced muscle growth

• Overall strength gains

BFR treatment may help:

• Increase muscle size and strength

• Improve cardiovascular capacity

• Decrease joint/tissue stress

BFR can expedite healing and bridge the gap between rehabilitation and recovery.

How Does Blood Flow Restriction Training Work?

BFR uses a specially-designed restrictive cuff to apply pressure to the affected limb. This pressure slows blood coming to and going from muscles located below the compressed area. During treatment, periods of restriction are alternated with rest periods where blood flow is restored.

This creates a low-oxygen environment which triggers muscles to work harder and increases the synthesis of protein to promote tissue healing and growth. Patients gain muscle mass exercising at significantly lower intensities while being closely monitored by a physical therapist reducing the added risk of injury.

What to expect during your treatment?

Your physical therapist will place a cuff around your limb (arm or leg) during exercise. The cuff is attached to a compression pump (similar to a blood pressure cuff) that causes it to inflate, keeping the blood in your muscle and temporarily preventing its flow from the area.

A personalized pressure reading is performed to ensure safe training. The amount of pressure applied will depend on your physical condition, strength needs and therapy goals.

Sessions can last from six to 30 minutes. During that time, you will perform various exercises, including strength training and aerobic conditioning.

Does Blood Flow Restriction Hurt?

BFR is not designed to be painful but may create other symptoms similar to the sensations you may experience after a workout. To give you an idea of what it feels like, think of the sensation of wearing a blood pressure cuff. As the BFR cuff inflates, you may feel a bit of pressure at the site.

During your workout, you may feel a slight burning sensation or heavy feeling in your limbs, as if you were climbing a steep hill. Soreness after a workout is also possible. Basically, BFR feels a lot like any strength training you’ve done before. Always tell your physical therapist if you have severe pain or discomfort.

Is Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Right for You?

BFR is one of many physical therapy techniques that can benefit patients of varying ages, abilities, and stages of life.

Patients unable to generate strength gains through traditional treatment are best fit for this treatment. This can be due to pain, age, and fatigue or other factors.

BFR can expedite healing and bridge the gap between rehabilitation and recovery.

You might be a suitable candidate for BFR training if you:

• Individuals with limited or restricted mobility

• Patients seeking pre-surgery strengthening

• Are recovering from surgery

• Are rehabbing from a sprain, strain, or fracture

• Experience challenges with balance and stability

• Are working to return to play after a sports injury

• Have chronic pain and cannot tolerate high loads on your body

• Are living with a condition that causes muscle or bone weakness

Blood flow restriction may NOT be appropriate if a patient has history of:

• History of DVT 

• Pregnancy 

• Varicose Veins 

• High Blood Pressure 

• Cardiac Disease 

• Lymphedema

• Blood Clotting Disorders

• Infections in Affected Area

Never attempt BFR without the guidance of a physical therapist and check with your healthcare provider to ensure BFR is appropriate for you.

Research on the benefits of restricted blood flow therapy is very encouraging, but not all physical therapists are trained and certified in this form of therapy. BFR is offered at both Outbound clinics along with the latest, evidence-based physical modalities to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.