How Physical Therapy Uses Blood Flow Restriction Training in Your Rehab
Are you worried about losing strength after an injury or surgery? Are you nervous about lifting heavy weights but know you need to get stronger? You may benefit from blood flow restriction training.
At Western Slope Rehab & Performance, our physical therapists stay up-to-date on the most current information to ensure we provide cutting-edge therapy. We can educate you on the pros and cons of different interventions, including blood flow restriction training, and design a program tailored to meet your personal goals.
One of the biggest challenges in rehabilitation is maintaining/building strength in people who recently suffered an injury, had surgery, or cannot tolerate intense training (lifting). Fortunately, blood flow restriction training has demonstrated significant improvements using lighter loads.
At Western Slope Rehab & Performance, our physical therapists are highly trained and skilled at providing the most advanced techniques and strategies to ensure results!
Request an appointment with one of our specialists to see if blood flow restriction is right for you!
What is blood flow restriction training?
Blood flow restriction training is a technique using a cuff or straps tightly wrapped around your arm(s) or leg(s) to reduce, but not completely stop, blood flow. While the blood flow is restricted, the individual performs exercises.
The main therapeutic benefit of blood flow restriction training is to allow you to exercise with lower intensity but still achieve the benefits of high-intensity training. This type of training achieves this effect by creating an environment of reduced oxygen (hypoxia) using the cuff.
The lack of blood flow reduces capillary blood and oxygen levels, resulting in the same physiological effects to the muscle (i.e., the release of hormones, hypoxia, and cell swelling) that occur with high-intensity exercise. Our therapists can use low-intensity weight training to achieve similar effects safely and effectively.
What conditions benefit from blood flow restriction?
Muscle weakness is a common focus in rehabilitation and is linked to helping many conditions and impairments. The evidence is clear: high load (heavy) resistance training is one of the most effective methods to improve muscular strength.
Unfortunately, specific populations that benefit from muscle strengthening cannot tolerate high load and high-intensity exercises. The primary diagnoses that can benefit from blood flow restriction training include:
- Acute injuries and/or post-operative conditions
- Chronic pain
- Severe degeneration/arthritis
- Certain types of cancers and/or during cancer treatments
- Chronic bronchitis and/or COPD
- Immunocompromised and autoimmune disorders
Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of blood flow restriction training for the following conditions treated in physical therapy:
ACL Reconstruction: The quadriceps muscle often loses strength after knee surgeries (i.e., ACL reconstruction). Fortunately, blood flow restriction training can help strengthen the muscles while the tissue is still healing after surgery.
Knee Pain: Often, knee pain limits people from doing the very thing that would help their condition. No matter the source of the pain, performing blood flow restriction training will improve their strength and help restore function. Studies have shown improvements in pain associated with patellofemoral (knee cap) pain and osteoarthritis.
After Immobilization: Immobilization from a brace of cast causes atrophy of the muscle. When the cast/splint is removed, the muscles need to be strengthened, and blood flow restriction can help restore the strength and size of the muscles using lighter loads.
Senior populations: Several studies have found that blood flow restriction can help relieve pain, reduce fall risks and improve functional mobility. There are fewer risks from using lower loads, and the benefits are significant.
There are certain groups of people that should avoid this technique due to the potential increased stress to the heart, including people with:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- History of stroke or blood clots
- Cardiac disease
- Active infections
- Vascular insufficiencies (i.e., varicose veins)
Our physical therapists can help identify ways to help you benefit from safely using blood flow restriction training and ensure you achieve your personal goals!
What to expect at your physical therapy sessions
Our physical therapists can help in a variety of ways. We will start with a comprehensive evaluation including a thorough history to understand the nature of your problem and any medical condition that may be contributing to your ability to tolerate treatment.
Our assessments include mobility/movement testing to identify limitations and weaknesses that are limiting your ability to perform your normal activities. We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and appropriate pain relief techniques.
Your physical therapist will then incorporate blood flow restriction techniques to assist you in building your strength in a safe, efficient way. Our goal is to help you achieve your goals and get back to doing what you love!
Request an appointment today!
At Western Slope Rehab & Performance, our physical therapists are up-to-date on the most advanced techniques and rehabilitation programs. We have proven results helping people resolve any old or new injury.
Request an appointment with one of our specialists and learn how blood flow restriction training can help you!
Sources:
https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/56/9/937/451542/Blood-Flow-Restriction-Training
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00533/full