Blood Flow Restriction
When injuries happen, the goal is a rapid recovery. Unfortunately, some injuries may require time, rest, and a reduction in activity to fully heal, making it difficult to maintain strength during the process. Blood flow restriction can be a safe, effective solution to building strength without putting stress on healing tissues.
What is Blood Flow Restriction?
Blood flow restriction is a specialized modality that uses a cuff or tourniquet to reduce or partially limit blood flow while resistance exercise is performed. This allows patients to complete strength training at significantly lower resistance while still experiencing the same benefits of heavy resistance training. Blood flow restriction is especially effective in post-operative patients or those with degenerating joints.
Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction:
- Improved muscle strength, size, endurance, and function
- Decreased muscle loss in post-operative patients
- Decreased joint stress.
- Decreased pain
- Quicker recovery time
- Quicker return to sport and high-level performance
Will Blood Flow Restriction Help Me?
Physical Therapists use Blood Flow Restriction when resistance training is painful or when there are restrictions that limit traditional exercise. You may benefit from blood flow restriction training if:
- You are recovering from an injury and are restricted from heavy lifting.
- You have pain or swelling that increases with resistance training.
- You want to safely rebuild or maintain strength while your injury heals.
- You are experiencing more weakness during your recovery journey.
In some cases, blood flow restriction therapy may not be appropriate based on your diagnosis, medical history, or other conditions. Blood flow restriction training will always be determined by your physical therapist. If it is not appropriate for you, your therapist will discuss other evidence-based recovery options that are better suited for your condition. Our goal is to provide safe, effective treatments that help you recover quickly.
