Blood Flow Restriction Training

Blood Flow Restriction Training involves using a tourniquet to occlude blood flow to a targeted muscle or muscle group. The therapy is an effective way to increase muscle strength and endurance while reducing strain on the joints.

How Does Blood Flow Restriction Training Work?

During a BFRT session, our Wichita’s Physical Therapy By Phoenix physical therapists will follow these steps:

• Apply a tourniquet to the working limb.
• The tourniquet is then inflated to a specific pressure, typically between 20-80% of the participant’s systolic blood pressure.
• The therapist will help the participant perform exercises with light weights once the desired pressure is reached. Light weights are necessary because the restricted blood flow prevents the muscles from getting the oxygen needed to generate power.
• The muscles are forced to work harder, thus increasing strength and endurance.

The technique mimics the effects of high-intensity training while reducing the risk of joint and muscle injury. It creates the necessary conditions for muscular adaptations without added stress on the joints.

How Can Blood Flow Restriction Training Help Me?

If you want to increase your strength and endurance without putting a lot of strain on your joints, BFRT is suitable for you. The therapy can also help you recover from an injury or surgery by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels and muscles.

Blood flow restriction is a safe therapy for most people. Some people may experience bruising or skin irritation at the site of the tourniquet. Some patients may experience mild soreness at the site of application. These signs are typical and disappear shortly.

Who Can Benefit from Blood Flow Restriction Training?

BFRT is commonly used by in-season and endurance athletes and military personnel. Other applications of the therapy are:

• Pre- and Post-operative rehabilitation
• Sprain and strain injuries
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Age-related muscle loss
• Meniscus injury
• Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
• Patellar tendonitis
• Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BFRT is safe for people of all ages and fitness levels. However, consulting with an experienced Wichita physical therapist at Physical Therapy By Phoenix is essential to ensure that the therapy is right for you. A recent study showed that BFRT could help heal fractures faster by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels and bones. The study found that BFRT improved the healing process by up to 50%.

Why Should You Choose Blood Flow Restriction Training?

There are many reasons to choose BFRT over other forms of therapy. Some of them include:

• It is a non-invasive therapy that is safe for most people.
• The results are long-lasting.
• It can help you recover from an injury or surgery faster.
• It can help you achieve your fitness goals without putting a lot of strain on your joints.
• It is an affordable therapy that is covered by most insurance plans.
• It facilitates increased blood flow.
• The therapy is backed by scientific research and no known risks associated with the treatment.

Please Schedule a Consultation with Us Today!

If you are looking for a way to improve your strength, endurance, and overall fitness, Blood Flow Restriction Training from Physical Therapy By Phoenix in Wichita is the right choice for you. Contact Wichita’s Physical Therapy By Phoenix today to schedule a consultation with one of our trained therapists. Physical Therapy By Phoenix will explain the therapy in more detail and help you determine if it is right for you.