Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and rehabilitation has been an upcoming and hot trend in the fitness and rehabilitative community with more favorable research continuing to come out on the daily.

What occurs during BFR training is that your therapist will restrict blood flow into an extremity with a certain amount of pressure through a cuff to maintain arterial blood flow while restricting venous flow to aforementioned area. An article by Patterson et al in the Frontiers in Physiology discussed the physiologic improvement, such as release of growth hormone factors and improved muscle growth to occluded areas, simulating higher intensity workloads at about 20% overall intensity, has proven beneficial to accelerate the recovery process. What this allows for is a reduction in overall stresses through the joints and unnecessary risks of lifting heavy weights that can potentially cause further injury, but to get the effects of lifting those heavy weights.

Dr. Biscontini has been implementing BFR physical therapy and training for several years before it was the “hot trend” and was asked to write an opinion article for the Orthopedics and Rheumatology Open Access Journal laying out considerations on implementing into clinical practice. Works across all populations to help faciliate growth and healing. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact Dr. Biscontini to discuss or book your BFR training sessions today!