Have you ever wondered, how do professional athletes heal from injury so fast?
Besides great genetics, professional athletes have access to top rehab and sports medicine that most people don’t. But one of their biggest advantages is Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, which helps them recover as quickly as possible. If you’ve been searching for blood flow restriction training near me, here’s what you need to know.
How did Blood Flow Restriction Training Start?
Blood Flow Restriction Training started in Japan in the 1960s. Over the following decades, researchers developed the technique further. The US Military eventually adopted it to help service members recover from post-traumatic injury.
In 2012, physical therapist Johnny Owens began using BFR training at the Center for the Intrepid. He went on to help hundreds of injured service members recover at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Owens then built on this research and founded Owens Recovery Science, was among the first companies to make a FDA-listed BFR device.
After BFR proved successful with service members, the sports performance world adopted it too. Athletes now use the technique to build strength and speed up rehab.
How Does Blood Flow Restriction Training Work?
The BFR unit uses a tourniquet system to block 80% of the lower body or 50% of the upper extremity while you do normal exercise. This creates a stressful, hypoxic environment (without oxygen) for muscle hypertrophy and cellular swelling. This mimics the same hypoxic environment that arises from heavy, strenuous workouts.
Blood Flow Restriction basically “tricks” your muscles and body into thinking you are maximally working out, even at low loads. Short duration, low intensity BFR training of around 4-6 weeks has been shown to cause a 10-20% increase in muscle strength. These increases were similar to gains obtained as a result of high-intensity exercise without BFR.
Is Blood Flow Restriction Right For Me?
BFR is a safe, effective device for rehab in helping you build strength even in early stages in injury or post-op recovery. Patients can rehabilitate confidently without fear of re-injuring themselves due to strain.
BFR therapy is extremely beneficial when treating surgeries and injuries of the upper and lower extremities. These include: ACL Reconstruction, Hip Replacement & Knee Replacement, Rotator Cuff Repair, Tommy John (UCL) Reconstruction, Cartilage repairs, etc.
The technique is also useful in preventing injury, and has been used to prevent ankle instability in Basketball Players.
BFR can also be a game changer if you’re not injured and just want to perform better- either in running, cycling, weight lifting, or team sports to build endurance or strength.
Where Can I Get Blood Flow Restriction Training?
From being an exclusive treatment for America’s Heroes, to a luxury service for Professional Athletes, Blood Flow Restriction Training has evolved to become available to almost everyone. With FX Physical Therapy, you can receive Blood Flow Restriction Therapy at all of our clinic locations!
Fill out the form below or call us at 443-241-2867 to schedule your appointment today.
-Faith Reilly PT, DPT
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, EXOS Performance Specialist
